Samsung launches Eclipsa Audio, competing with Dolby Atmos

Eclipsa Audio is a new surround sound format recently introduced at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. It is designed to compete with established audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS. This technology offers up to 28 individual audio channels, providing a rich, immersive sound experience for movies and music. The development of Eclipsa Audio is the result of a two-year partnership between Samsung and Google. They aimed to create an open-source audio format, which means it can be used by anyone without paying licensing fees. This is a significant change from Dolby and DTS, making it appealing for both creators and hardware manufacturers. Eclipsa Audio allows sound creators to mix and position audio dynamically, similar to Dolby Atmos. Listeners can also customize their audio experience. Samsung plans to incorporate Eclipsa Audio into a wide range of its 2025 products, including TVs and soundbars. For content creators, Eclipsa Audio aims to make 3D sound accessible without the high costs associated with other formats. Google ensures it supports popular codecs, and tools for creating Eclipsa Audio mixes are already available. While the quality of Eclipsa Audio is expected to be on par with existing formats, there are concerns about the support and tools available for creators. Samsung and Google are working on a certification program to ensure performance consistency. The future of Eclipsa Audio is uncertain. It could signal a new format war in the audio industry, but Dolby Atmos and DTS are deeply entrenched in the market. Currently, Eclipsa Audio seems focused on amateur content creation, which may limit its immediate impact in mainstream cinema.