Sunday 23 November 2025
The quest for perfect sound reproduction has long been a holy grail of audio engineers and audiophiles alike. For decades, researchers have been searching for ways to accurately capture and reproduce the complexities of real-world soundscapes, from the subtle nuances of instrumental timbre to the dramatic shifts in spatial perspective.
One promising approach has been the development of spherical wavelet frameworks, which aim to combine the benefits of Ambisonics and object-based audio by utilising highly localised basis functions. By breaking down sound into its constituent parts at a fundamental level, these systems can recreate the rich tapestry of acoustic information that our brains use to pinpoint sources in space.
Recently, researchers have been exploring the potential of spherical wavelet frameworks for creating more immersive and realistic audio experiences. In a new study, scientists compared the performance of these frameworks with traditional Ambisonics approaches, using a range of psychoacoustic tests to assess their ability to recreate the subtleties of sound localisation.
The results were striking: when tested against a range of ecologically valid sound sources, the spherical wavelet framework consistently outperformed its Ambisonics counterpart in terms of overall spatial and timbral fidelity. The new approach was able to accurately capture the subtle changes in perceived distance and angle that are so crucial to our ability to localise sounds in space.
But what does this mean for the average listener? In practical terms, it means that audio engineers will have a more powerful tool at their disposal when it comes to creating immersive audio experiences. Whether you’re watching a movie or listening to music, the potential benefits of these new frameworks could be profound: more realistic soundscapes, more nuanced instrument timbres, and a greater sense of presence in the sonic world.
Of course, there are still challenges to overcome before spherical wavelet frameworks become mainstream. For one thing, they require significant computational resources to process – something that may limit their adoption in certain applications. Additionally, there is still much to be learned about how our brains process sound information and how best to exploit these new approaches to create truly realistic audio experiences.
Despite these challenges, the potential of spherical wavelet frameworks is undeniably exciting. As researchers continue to refine and develop this technology, we may yet see a new era of audio innovation unfold – one that promises to revolutionise the way we experience sound.
Cite this article: “Unlocking Immersive Audio: The Promise of Spherical Wavelet Frameworks”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Audio, Engineers, Audiophiles, Ambisonics, Object-Based Audio, Spherical Wavelet Frameworks, Soundscapes, Instrumental Timbre, Spatial Perspective, Psychoacoustic Tests
Reference: Ş. Ekmen, H. Lee, “Evaluation of Spherical Wavelet Framework in Comparsion with Ambisonics” (2025).
