As audiences seek deeper connections in audio-visual (AV) experiences, especially in an age where engagement is key to customer satisfaction, the power of sound lies in creating environments that surround, surprise, and resonate with them long after. Enter IOSONO—a spatial audio rendering software that redefines immersion in shared spaces. Developed to eliminate the sweet spot limitation of simple panning techniques, IOSONO offers a seamless, stable audio experience across entire listening areas, creating truly immersive environments. With a focus on object-based audio rendering, it enables planners to create powerful audio experiences, regardless of the audio playback format or loudspeaker system design. From digital galleries and concert halls to themed entertainment and visitor attractions, our software adapts seamlessly to diverse environments.
aFX Global, in collaboration with Encircled, developed a spatial audio system using IOSONO for "Leonardo da Vinci—500 Years of Genius" by Grande Experiences at LUME Melbourne, a vast 3,000 sqm, four-story multisensory gallery. This system enhances visitor engagement through immersive soundscapes that complement the exhibit's visual storytelling, effectively showcasing machine inventions and museum artifacts while utilizing the exhibition spaces to create a more engaging experience. © Grande Experiences
The only limit for immersive audio is creativity! Kraftwerk Living Technologies Elevates Flyover in Chicago with ENCIRCLED's Cutting-Edge IOSONO Spatial Audio System in its 61-seat theatre © Flyover in Chicago by Pursuit.
A new customer showroom for WILO Pumps & Pipes, developed in collaboration with Tennagels, opened in October 2024 and is now fully operational. This dynamic space goes beyond standard presentations, allowing prospective buyers to visualize and experience the latest engineering solutions tailored precisely to their project needs in a true-to-life setting. The showroom features a giant LED screen, a multi-room 3D spatial audio system, live tracking, and IOSONO-rendered sound design. Additionally, complex media technology is installed for a variety of events and presentations.
Images: © Tennagels
Images: Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s 2024 New Year Concert at Huzhou Left Bank Theater. Images courtesy of Full Dimension.
An Agnostic Solution: Focused on Quality and Flexibility
One of the core strengths of the IOSONO software is its agnostic approach to loudspeaker systems. Rather than being tied to a specific brand, type, or arrangement, it works with any well-designed loudspeaker setup, emphasizing the importance of seamless integration with existing products and system design. This flexibility allows AV planners to focus on what matters most—designing the optimal audio setup without being restricted by hardware limitations.
From the outset, the software has embraced object-based audio rendering. A combination of established and advanced algorithms, including Wavefield Synthesis, allows sound to be positioned precisely in 3D space, creating accurate, lifelike, and immersive experiences. It’s capable of handling all current multichannel audio formats, ensuring adaptability to evolving standards and keeping it at the forefront of industry trends. The software runs on dedicated Linux-based hardware provided by ENCIRCLED audio.solutions, in collaboration with its global distribution partner, ensuring stability and consistent performance across a wide range of installations.
Image: system design, showroom.
A Proven Legacy: From Fraunhofer to International Recognition
The roots of the IOSONO software date back to the early 2000s, when it was first developed at the Fraunhofer Institute IDMT. Recognizing its potential, the technology was later spun off into IOSONO GmbH, where it gained traction through landmark projects in Germany and internationally in cities like Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Sydney. These projects showcased the software’s ability to create advanced spatial audio environments, establishing it as a reliable solution for immersive media installations. Over the years, the IOSONO product has evolved from a complex, high-cost system into a streamlined, competitive solution that remains accessible without sacrificing performance.
Its reputation attracted the attention of Barco, a leader in projection technology, which acquired the software to expand into the professional audio market. Since 2019, ENCIRCLED audio.solutions has been the official licensee, responsible for service and support as well as sales, distribution, and marketing. This partnership has led to continuous development, ensuring that the software evolves with market needs and remains a competitive solution in the field of immersive audio.
Continuous Innovation: Adapting to Market Needs
Since partnering with Barco, ENCIRCLED has released several major updates, each enhancing the software to meet the rising demand for immersive experiences. The first release broke free of hardware dependencies, allowing it to keep pace with the rapid developments in computer hardware. This shift ensures that the software remains adaptable and future-proof, capable of leveraging the latest technological advancements, such as faster processing speeds and enhanced audio quality standards.
Subsequent updates introduced new algorithmic functionalities like “Spaces,” which allows for rendering audio across multiple speaker layouts simultaneously. This feature is ideal for multi-room and gallery-style installations, giving AV planners the freedom to create dynamic audio experiences that adjust seamlessly to different spaces. Additionally, the optimized “SamplePlayer” feature supports simultaneous playback of multiple object-based audio files in the IOSONO format, making it ideal for interactive and dynamic installations.
Other enhancements include increased I/O capacity of up to 192 channels, integration with live tracking systems, and configurations for virtual acoustic environments. These advancements ensure that the IOSONO software remains a versatile choice for AV planners, offering both the scalability and the specialized capabilities required for complex installations.
Image: Intuitive interfaces designed for seamless audio management and optimisation.
A Comprehensive Toolset for Immersive Audio Design
What sets the IOSONO software apart is not just its object-based rendering capabilities but also its comprehensive toolset designed to streamline the entire audio design process. Key features include:
- Optimized Wavefield Synthesis Algorithm: Delivering high-quality, spatially most accurate audio reproduction.
- Unlimited Multilayer Approach: Supporting complex speaker layouts, allowing AV planners to create a true three-dimensional soundscape that adapts to any venue.
- Semi-Automatic System Tuning: Ensuring optimal system performance with minimal manual adjustments.
- Advanced Loudspeaker Management: Including routing, filtering, zoning, and metering for efficient setup and operation.
- User-Friendly Interface: Offering easy access to all necessary configurations and optimization parameters, with full remote control access, enabling users to gain real-time control and manage daily operations from any device.
- Integrated Playback Engine: Real-time rendering of live inputs, playback of multichannel files, and dedicated IOSONO content.
This feature set allows AV planners to create object-based mixes that adapt dynamically across various IOSONO venues, ensuring a consistent and high-quality audio experience.
Image: production suite for content creation in the IOSONO format.
Expanding Horizons: A Bright Future for Immersive Audio
The future of audio is immersive, and as demand surges, we remain dedicated to empowering AV planners with the tools to shape unforgettable auditory experiences. Working closely with Barco, we continue to refine the IOSONO software based on market feedback and the evolving needs of the AV industry. Our primary markets include themed entertainment, visitor attractions, digital galleries, showrooms, concert halls, and research facilities. These environments demand flexibility and precision—qualities that the IOSONO software consistently delivers.
As the demand for immersive audio experiences continues to grow, we are committed to supporting AV planners with the tools they need to bring their creative visions to life. With a legacy of over two decades, a track record of 100+ systems commissioned worldwide, and a forward-looking approach, the IOSONO software is well-positioned to shape the future of spatial audio in shared experiences. Ready to elevate your next AV project with cutting-edge immersive audio? Reach out to our team at ENCIRCLED audio.solutions for a personalized demo or consultation and experience the IOSONO difference today.
By Max Röhrbein, joint managing director at ENCIRCLED