In a recent survey of professional audio manufacturers whose product lines span the gamut of audio specialties, half the respondents said immersive audio now ranges from a significant to a solidly pervasive and permanent component of audio-production workflows, while all respondents expect to reach that level of pervasiveness within five years. The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) conducted the survey, asking its member companies to assess the impact of the burgeoning immersive audio movement on their product development and business. Two-thirds of participating companies reported significant current overall demand for products with immersive audio capabilities. 80% of the respondents expect products with immersive audio features to be a growth area in their company's portfolio of products over the next five years, with a third of all respondents seeing great potential for growth.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, given an evolving marketplace with varied levels of maturity across market verticals, current immersive audio product demand is cited as strongest in film, TV and gaming where established protocols are baked into delivery formats and devices. “Dolby Atmos is in a leadership position for immersive formats for both music and film/TV,” said Chris Hansen, director of recording, Harman International (JBL, AKG, Soundcraft, Lexicon and more). “Sony's game console, as a delivery system, helps push their Sony 360 format.”
