AT CES 2017, Sennheiser are showcasing their latest technology in the form of AMBEO Smart Surround. This has currently been unveiled as an in-ear earphone that allows the wearer to capture the audio world around them in 3D. In particular, the size and design of the AMBEO Smart Surround means it is ideally suited for those looking to improve the overall quality of audio when recording with the use of a smartphone.
AMBEO Smart Surround has the ability to connect to your smartphone. Once connected and while video is being recorded, the AMBEO Smart Surround can capture binaural audio recordings, to go along with the smartphone video. The general idea is for the audio captured to be much more of an immersive quality of audio experience and one which provides the listener with more of a feeling akin to being there when the recording was initially created. In a similar way to how VR looks to bring a user visually to an event or a situation, Sennheiser’s AMBEO Smart Surround looks to do the same thing, but for audio. Likewise, as smartphone cameras have evolved to offer the ability to capture video in 4K, Sennheiser sees AMBEO Smart Surround as the natural audio evolution to better compliment a smartphone’s ability to capture high quality content.
The technology underlying the AMBEO Smart Surround is based upon Sennheiser’s AMBEO VR Mic and the company’s AMBEO 3D audio technology (which were both debuted at CES 2016). Which makes the AMBEO Smart Surround, the first consumer product to make use of this latest technology. Not to mention, this is designed to be an almost discrete piece of hardware, it is one which will appeal to those who want to record better audio quality on their smartphone, without having to carry substantial equipment. The AMBEO Smart Surround simply slots into your ear and the tech inside, does all the hard work. Unfortunately, the AMBEO Smart Surround is only being demoed at CES and Sennheiser has yet to provide firm information on when it will become available or how much it will cost. While firm details on availability have yet to be provided, Sennheiser has confirmed that AMBEO Smart Surround will become available in the second half of 2017.
