When it comes to spatial audio, two major techniques have taken center stage: ambisonic and binaural audio. Both methods aim to create an immersive sound experience, but they go about it in fundamentally different ways.

Ambisonics is often praised for its versatility and adaptability, allowing producers to capture sound in 360 degrees and later manipulate it to fit various playback formats.

On the other hand, binaural audio focuses on delivering a 3D sound experience directly to the listener’s ears, replicating the way humans naturally hear and localize sound.

In this article, I’ll explore what sets ambisonic and binaural audio apart, their respective strengths, and how each format can be applied to different types of content.

What You Will Learn

Understand the differences between ambisonic and binaural audio formats.
Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each audio method.
Discover when and where to use ambisonics versus binaural audio.
Explore how Audiocube handles both formats for an immersive sound experience.

Learn the difference between Spatial Audio vs Surround Sound

Comparison Points	Ambisonic	Binaural
Capture Method	Multi-capsule microphones capturing 360-degree sound	Two microphones positioned to mimic human ear placement
Playback Format	Can be decoded for multi-speaker setups, surround sound, or binaural headphones	Stereo headphones (direct playback)
Use Cases	VR, AR, 360-degree video, multi-channel systems	Headphone-based listening experiences (e.g., ASMR, music, gaming)
Post-Production Flexibility	High - sound can be manipulated in post-production for different formats	Low - audio is fixed in position, no decoding required
Realism	Moderate - requires decoding and processing	High - closely mimics human hearing for headphone listeners
Best for	Large-scale immersive projects	Intimate, personal audio experiences
Hardware	Ambisonic microphones, multi-channel audio interfaces	Binaural microphones, stereo interfaces
Ease of Use	Moderate - requires knowledge of decoding and processing	High - straightforward to record and playback
Playback Devices	Multi-speaker systems, headphones (after decoding)	Headphones

What is Ambisonic Audio?

Ambisonic audio is a full-sphere surround sound format designed to capture sound from every direction, offering a complete 360-degree sound experience.

Unlike traditional stereo or even surround sound, which is limited to specific directions, ambisonics allows sound to be recorded and reproduced in a spherical manner - capturing audio from above, below, and all around the listener. This capability makes ambisonics a go-to format for immersive environments such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 360-degree video projects.

What sets ambisonics apart is its flexibility in post-production. The recorded sound can be decoded into various speaker setups or mixed down to fit binaural headphone formats. This means that producers and sound designers have the ability to manipulate the spatial characteristics of the audio after it’s been captured, which is particularly useful in immersive experiences like VR where the listener’s perspective may change as they move.

One of the strengths of ambisonics is its adaptability - it can be decoded into multi-channel surround systems, stereo, or binaural headphone mixes, depending on the playback environment.

This versatility makes it an invaluable tool for content creators who need to cater to different formats without having to re-record their audio. By capturing a full 360-degree sound field, ambisonics ensures that the listener is fully enveloped in the audio, making it a powerful choice for immersive sound design.

What is Binaural Audio?

Binaural audio, on the other hand, is a more specific method of capturing and processing sound that directly replicates how humans hear in the real world.

Using two microphones positioned to simulate the ears, binaural audio records sound in a way that mimics the way our brains localize audio. The result is a realistic 3D sound experience when listened to through headphones, making the listener feel as though they are physically present in the recorded environment.

Unlike ambisonics, which requires decoding and can be adapted to different playback systems, binaural audio is inherently designed for headphone listening. The intimate nature of this format makes it perfect for personal audio experiences like ASMR, gaming, and virtual reality applications, where users typically wear headphones.

The immersive quality of binaural audio is particularly effective for experiences where close attention to spatial detail is crucial, such as creating the sensation of someone whispering directly into your ear or simulating a soundscape that surrounds you.

Binaural audio is widely used in ASMR, gaming, and VR, where precise sound localization and the ability to create a lifelike audio experience are key. By capturing sound exactly as the human ear perceives it, binaural recordings deliver an unparalleled sense of immersion when experienced through headphones.

Ambisonic vs Binaural – Key Differences

When comparing ambisonic and binaural audio, it’s essential to understand how these two formats capture and reproduce sound differently, as well as how each is applied in various projects.

Learn How To Make Spatial Audio!

Capture and Reproduction

**Ambisonics** **captures sound in a 360-degree sphere, meaning it records sound from all directions - above, below, and around the listener.**

This full-sphere sound capture requires decoding in post-production, where the recorded ambisonic audio can be adapted for playback across various formats, including multi-speaker setups or binaural headphone mixes. It is captured using an ambisonic microphone. The flexibility in how ambisonic sound is reproduced makes it a popular choice for immersive content such as VR and 360-degree videos.

**Binaural** **sound directly mimics the way humans naturally hear sound, by using two microphones positioned to replicate ear placement**.

Binaural recording produces a 3D sound experience without the need for complex decoding or processing. When played through headphones, binaural audio gives the listener the impression that sound is coming from different directions around them, providing a highly realistic and intimate audio experience.

Use Cases

Ambisonic audio is particularly well-suited for large-scale immersive environments like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 360-degree video content, where the sound must adapt to the listener’s movement within the space. Because ambisonic audio can be decoded into different formats, it’s often used in projects that require multi-speaker setups or surround sound formats, giving producers flexibility in how their content is consumed.

In contrast, binaural audio is best suited for headphone-based experiences. It excels in creating a highly detailed and realistic sound field directly for the listener, making it ideal for applications like gaming, ASMR, and immersive music production. Since binaural audio is optimized for headphone playback, it’s the preferred choice for projects where a personalized, intimate listening experience is key.

Complexity and Flexibility

One of the main advantages of ambisonics is its post-production flexibility. Since ambisonics captures the entire sound field, it can be manipulated and adapted to suit a variety of playback systems - whether that’s a complex surround sound setup or a simple stereo output. This versatility gives sound designers greater creative control over the final product.

Binaural audio, while easier to capture and reproduce, is more limited in its application. It’s designed specifically for headphone playback, which means it doesn’t offer the same flexibility as ambisonics when it comes to adapting to different listening environments. However, the straightforward nature of binaural audio makes it ideal for projects where simplicity and realism are the top priorities.

When considering the strengths of each format, the choice often comes down to the intended use case: ambisonics for multi-channel and 360-degree environments, and binaural for immersive, personal headphone experiences. The ability to convert between these formats - ambisonics to binaural - provides a bridge for creators who need to work across both spheres.

When to Use Ambisonic vs Binaural

Understanding when to use ambisonic or binaural audio largely depends on the nature of the project and the type of listening experience you want to create. Each format has its strengths and excels in specific scenarios.

Use Ambisonic Audio For…

Ambisonic audio shines in projects where spatial accuracy and versatility are critical, such as in VR, AR, and 360-degree video content. In these immersive environments, the listener’s position and perspective may change, and ambisonic audio can adapt seamlessly. It captures sound from all directions, allowing you to place sound sources with pinpoint accuracy and then adjust them in post-production based on how the listener moves through the virtual space.

One of the major advantages of ambisonics is its flexibility in mixing. Whether you're designing sound for a multi-speaker setup, surround sound system, or a binaural headphone mix, ambisonic recordings can be decoded to match various playback formats. This makes it the go-to choice for projects where the final format may vary or need to support multiple output systems.

Use Binaural Audio For…

On the other hand, binaural audio is best suited for projects designed for headphone listening, where the focus is on realism and spatial clarity. Since binaural audio mimics how humans naturally hear sound, it creates an intimate and highly immersive experience for the listener. This makes it ideal for ASMR, podcasts, and immersive music production, where a personalized listening experience is crucial.

Binaural audio’s strength lies in its simplicity—it’s easy to capture and reproduce, requiring no complex post-production decoding. However, its limitation is that it’s optimized for headphone playback, making it less versatile than ambisonics when it comes to multi-channel speaker systems like Dolby Atmos.

When choosing between ambisonic and binaural audio, consider the end user’s listening environment. For large-scale, interactive, and versatile projects, ambisonics is the clear choice. For personal, intimate, and headphone-focused experiences, binaural audio offers a straightforward yet powerful solution.

Audiocube - Spatial Audio Processing Software

When I created Audiocube, my goal was to build something that made spatial audio design accessible, powerful, and intuitive. I’d been working with spatial audio formats like ambisonic and binaural for years, but the tools available always felt overly complex and limited in flexibility. I wanted to offer something that allowed sound designers and producers to craft immersive audio with more control and creativity - without the steep learning curve that often comes with 3D sound design.

Learn more about 3D Audio Software, and how it works!

With Audiocube, you can transform ordinary recordings into fully spatialized audio using advanced binaural processing and a real-time 3D sound control interface. Whether you’re mixing audio for a VR experience, designing sound for an interactive game, or just experimenting with binaural soundscapes, Audiocube gives you the freedom to create truly immersive experiences.

Why Audiocube is Perfect for Spatial Sound Design

Full Support for Binaural Audio: I wanted Audiocube to make binaural audio easy to work with. Whether you’re starting from scratch or converting existing recordings, Audiocube supports full binaural processing. You can turn standard stereo audio into a realistic 3D listening experience, making it perfect for anyone working on headphone-based projects like podcasts, music, or gaming sound.
Real-Time Sound Manipulation and Acoustic Simulation: One of my goals with Audiocube was to make real-time adjustments as seamless as possible. The software lets you manipulate sound sources in a virtual 3D environment and simulate how they interact with different spaces. This means you can dynamically adjust your audio while hearing exactly how it will sound in the final mix—whether you’re designing a large, echoing concert hall or a small, intimate room.
Intuitive 3D Sound Control: I designed the 3D sound control interface to be as intuitive as possible. With Audiocube, you can visualize and position sounds in a 360-degree space, giving you the ability to move sound sources or change the listener’s position in real-time. This level of control is something I’ve always wanted in a tool, and now it’s here—whether you’re creating ambient soundscapes or placing audio elements in a virtual environment, it’s as simple as drag and drop.
Seamless Binaural Conversion: I’ve always found it frustrating how complicated it can be to spatialize regular audio in some software, so I made sure Audiocube could do it effortlessly. You can take your existing stereo or surround sound recordings and convert them into fully immersive binaural audio with a few clicks. This makes it easier to adapt existing projects or create new ones with spatial audio in mind.
Advanced Spatial Effects: Audiocube is packed with effects like reverb, delay, and acoustic modeling, giving you more creative control over how sounds behave in different environments. You can really craft unique soundscapes that feel natural and immersive.
Visual Sound Positioning: The visual tools in Audiocube make it easy to see exactly where your sound sources are in the 3D space. You can manage complex soundscapes effortlessly, without losing track of where each element is placed.
Real-Time Feedback: Another key feature is real-time performance feedback. As you adjust your sound, you get instant feedback on how it will be perceived, so you can tweak and perfect your mix right on the spot.

I created Audiocube to empower sound designers, producers, and artists to explore the potential of spatial audio without feeling limited by their tools. Whether you're new to 3D sound design or a seasoned professional, Audiocube gives you the flexibility and creative freedom to bring your vision to life.

Download Audiocube for free and start experimenting today!

Start Using Spatial Audio Formats!

Both ambisonic and binaural audio offer unique strengths, depending on the type of project you’re working on. Ambisonic audio excels in capturing full 360-degree environments, making it ideal for large-scale, immersive experiences like virtual reality, AR, and 360-degree video content. Its flexibility in post-production gives you a lot of creative control over how your sound is experienced across different platforms. On the other hand, binaural audio is perfect for intimate, headphone-based listening, where realism and precision are key. Whether it's ASMR, immersive music, or gaming audio, binaural gives you that lifelike 3D sound right in the listener’s ears.

If you’re looking for a tool that integrates both formats seamlessly, Audiocube is designed to do just that. With its full support for ambisonic and binaural audio, intuitive 3D sound control, and real-time processing, Audiocube simplifies the complexities of spatial audio design, allowing you to focus on creativity.

Ready to bring your audio to life in 3D? Download Audiocube today and start creating immersive soundscapes that push the boundaries of spatial sound design.

I encourage you to explore both formats and experiment with how they can elevate your sound production. Whether you need the adaptability of ambisonics or the direct, personal impact of binaural audio, there’s immense potential in both technologies to create immersive and engaging soundscapes.

How It’s Made: Binaural vs Ambisonic

The processes behind capturing binaural and ambisonic audio differ significantly due to how each method handles spatial sound. Learning how to capture spatial audio in these sound formats is beneficial for sound designers and creators.

Binaural sound/audio is captured using two binaural microphones placed at ear-level, often within a head-shaped dummy to simulate human hearing. This setup replicates the way our ears naturally perceive sound, including the subtle time differences and frequency shifts that help us locate where a sound is coming from. Binaural recordings are best suited for headphone listening, as they provide a realistic 3D sound experience without the need for further processing, and only two audio channels in a playback system.

You can also use a 3D Audio Converter to binauralize sounds post-recording.

On the other hand, ambisonic recording uses specialized ambisonic microphones, typically with multiple capsules arranged to capture sound from every direction - up, down, and all around. Unlike binaural recordings, which are fixed to a listener’s head, ambisonic audio can be manipulated in post-production. You can adjust the direction of sound sources, the listener’s position, and even decode the audio into different formats, making it incredibly versatile for VR, AR, and multi-speaker setups.

Ambisonic vs Binaural: The Differences Explained