Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

An apparatus and method of rendering audio. A binaural signal is split on an amplitude weighting basis into a front binaural signal and a rear binaural signal, based on perceived position information of the audio. In this manner, the front-back differentiation of the binaural signal is improved.

Methods and systems are provided for providing one or more sound component to a viewer within a media presentation space by a robot having one or more speakers. A method includes an operation for establishing a connection to a media device that is presenting media content to the viewer, and an operation for capturing input from a plurality of sensors for obtaining a map of the media presentation space. The method additionally provides for identifying a position of the viewer and a speaker configuration in the media presentation space. The method allows the robot to move to a location based on the map of the media presentation space, the position of the viewer and the speaker configuration. Moreover, the method provides an operation for receiving one or more sound components for presentation to the user.

The invention relates to a method for determining a configuration for a loudspeaker arrangement for radiating sound into a space, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing an initial configuration having initial configuration parameters for a loudspeaker arrangement for radiating sound into a space in the computer, determining configurations having respectively associated configuration parameters by means of a target function-based optimisation method, wherein, proceeding from the initial configuration, in the computer a sound field for the space and/or parts thereof into which sound is to be radiated is determined iteratively to a candidate configuration by means of simulation, a value of a target function associated with the candidate configuration and the simulated sound field is determined and a new candidate configuration for the loudspeaker arrangement is selected, and selecting a configuration having configuration parameters from the iteratively determined candidate configurations in accordance with at least one selection criterion, which takes into consideration at least the values determined for the target function, wherein a target function is used in the optimisation method. The invention further relates to a computer program product.

Aspects of a multi-orientation playback device including at least one microphone array are discussed. A method may include determining an orientation of the playback device which includes at least one microphone array and determining at least one microphone training response for the playback device from a plurality of microphone training responses based on the orientation of the playback device. The at least one microphone array can detect a sound input, and the location information of a source of the sound input can be determined based on the at least one microphone training response and the detected sound input. Based on the location information of the source, the directional focus of the at least one microphone array can be adjusted, and the sound input can be captured based on the adjusted directional focus.

Sound bars with improved sound distribution are disclosed having at least first and second speaker drivers. The sound bars can have a spatial deviation point between the at least first and second speaker drivers such that the first and second speaker drivers are facing different directions. A second spatial deviation point can also be included to create additional directions for the driver speakers to face. The sound bars can include both active and passive speaker drivers.

A speaker position determination system includes a server, wherein the server includes: a processor configured to: acquire a first reproduction sound output from a first speaker and a second reproduction sound output from a second speaker at the same timing as the first reproduction sound, which are picked up by a sound pickup device arranged at a position of a speaker to be determined; calculate a first time lag indicating a time lag from an output timing of the first reproduction sound until a pickup timing of the first reproduction sound and a second time lag indicating a time lag from an output timing of the second reproduction sound until a pickup timing of the second reproduction sound; and determine the position of the speaker based on the first time lag and the second time lag.

A sound system with a plurality of speakers is shown and described. The orientation of a second subset of the speakers is automatically adjustable relative to the orientation of a first subset of speakers. In certain examples, the system detects whether the audio signals it receives include up-firing content and adjusts the relative orientations when such content is provided. The sound system is also configured to calculate a desired degree of rotation for the speakers in the second subset based on the geometry of the room in which the sound system is located and the location of the listener in the room.

An audio system can be configured to generate an audio heatmap for the audio emission potential profiles for one or more speakers, in specific or arbitrary locations. The audio heatmap maybe based on speaker location and orientation, speaker acoustic properties, and optionally environmental properties. The audio heatmap often shows areas of low sound density when there are few speakers, and areas of high sound density when there are a lot of speakers. An audio system may be configured to normalize audio signals for a set of speakers that cooperatively emit sound to render an audio object in a defined audio object location. The audio signals for each speaker can be normalized to ensure accurate rendering of the audio object without volume spikes or dropout.

Various implementations include audio systems and methods for mixed rendering to enhance audio output. Certain implementations include an audio system having: at least one far-field speaker configured to output a first portion of an audio signal; and a pair of non-occluding near-field speakers configured to output a second portion of the audio signal in synchrony with the output of the first portion of the audio signal, where the first portion of the audio signal is distinct from the second portion of the audio signal.