Simple Explanation

A surround-sound format that adds height speakers to make sound feel more 3D and immersive.

Concise Technical Definition

Auro-3D® is an immersive audio format that adds one or two height layers to traditional surround sound, supporting up to 13.1 channels for a three-dimensional listening experience.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like moving from a flat movie screen to 3D glasses for your ears—sounds come from above and around you.

Industry Usage Summary

Auro-3D is used in commercial cinemas and high-end home theaters to create immersive soundscapes. It uses height speakers and a VOG (Voice of God) ceiling channel, with setups ranging from 9.1 to 13.1. The Auromatic upmixer converts regular content into Auro-3D format.

Engineering Shortcut

Auro-3D = surround sound + height layer(s) + optional ceiling (VOG) speaker.

Full Technical Explanation

Auro-3D® is a channel-based immersive audio format that introduces height and overhead layers above standard 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Systems typically use three vertical sound layers: Level 1 (horizontal surround), Level 2 (height), and Level 3 (Voice of God ceiling speaker). Unlike object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D uses discrete channels for consistent playback. It supports up to 13.1 channels and provides backward compatibility with standard surround. Its upmixing engine, Auromatic, enhances non-Auro content by generating spatial effects across all layers, making it suitable for both cinema and high-end home audio setups.