Sphere Entertainment has partnered with HOLOPLOT to develop Sphere Immersive Sound, a 3D audio technology developed specifically for the Sphere venue in Las Vegas.
Developed for the unique, curved interior of the Sphere, Sphere Entertainment claims that the new technology is the largest concert-grade audio system in the world. The system is composed of around 1,600 installed HOLOPLOT X1 Matrix Array loudspeaker modules, 300 mobile modules, and 167,000 individually amplified loudspeaker drivers. The system takes advantage of 3D audio-beamforming and wave field synthesis technology developed by HOLOPLOT.
These technologies were created to eliminate some of the drawbacks that traditional loudspeakers can have in large-scale venues, such as audio quality dropoff. Sphere Immersive Sound features software algorithms to ensure that quality levels remain consistent no matter the distance from the point of origin. Additionally, the system’s wave field synthesis feature means that audio can be made to sound like it is coming from a virtual place of origin anywhere in the venue, giving audience members the sensation that what they are hearing is very far away, or very close.
See also: Sphere Studios develops 120fps/18K camera system for Las Vegas Sphere
Finally, the entire system is completely encased behind the venue’s 160,000 square foot interior LED display plane, out of sight to any attendees, to complete the immersive environment.
“Sphere Immersive Sound is a cornerstone of the custom-designed technology that will make Sphere unlike any venue, anywhere in the world, providing audio with unmatched clarity and precision to every guest, no matter where they are seated,” said David Dibble, CEO, MSG Ventures, a division of Sphere Entertainment. “Creating this experience required us to go far beyond existing audio technology, and in HOLOPLOT we found a partner at the forefront of innovation to help achieve our vision and truly transform what is possible with audio.”
Ahead of their upcoming residency at the Sphere, U2’s The Edge said, “The beauty of Sphere is not only the ground-breaking technology that will make it so unique, with the world’s most advanced audio system integrated into a structure which is designed with sound quality as a priority; it’s also the possibilities around immersive experiences in real and imaginary landscapes. In short, it’s a canvas of an unparalleled scale and image resolution, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We all thought about it and decided we’d be mad not to accept the invitation.”
