In early 2025 Samsung and Google announced a 3D audio technology called Eclipsa Audio. The pitch: every 2025 television and soundbar would support it, it would be open-source and royalty-free, and it would take on Dolby Atmos directly.
Eighteen months on, what actually happened? We checked Samsung's official specification sheets model by model. The answer and the announcement are not the same thing.
The one-minute version
- Eclipsa Audio is real — an open-source, royalty-free 3D audio format, formerly called IAMF
- But "the entire 2025 lineup" has not shown up on the spec sheets — none of the 2025 televisions or soundbars we checked list it
- What you can actually buy is the 2026 flagship soundbar
- The one product we stock whose official spec lists it: HW-Q990H, HK$7,980, in stock
What Eclipsa Audio is
Eclipsa Audio is a spatial audio format developed by Samsung and Google, originally announced in 2023 under the name IAMF (Immersive Audio Model and Formats).
Unlike conventional surround sound, it positions sound in three dimensions — above, behind, beside — rather than simply from the direction of the speakers. Content creators can place and weight individual audio elements in that space.
The key difference from Dolby Atmos: no royalties
Eclipsa Audio is open-source and royalty-free. Dolby Atmos is proprietary and manufacturers pay to license it.
That is what gives it long-term potential: royalty-free means entry-level hardware can carry it. The IAMF specification has been adopted by the Alliance for Open Media, whose members include Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Samsung and Google.
Announcement versus reality: we checked
In early 2025 Samsung's newsroom said Eclipsa Audio would cover the whole 2025 product line, from entry-level Crystal UHD up to the flagship Neo QLED 8K.
Eighteen months later, we searched Samsung's official specification sheets for "Eclipsa", model by model:
| Product | Year | Eclipsa listed on official spec | Our stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| QN70F Neo QLED TV | 2025 | Not listed | In stock, HK$5,980 (65") |
| QN70H Neo QLED TV | 2026 | Not listed | In stock, HK$8,980 (65") |
| HW-Q990F Soundbar | 2025 | Not listed | Out of stock |
| HW-Q990H Soundbar | 2026 | Listed | In stock, HK$7,980 |
To be precise about what we checked: this is whether the official specification sheet lists it. Samsung did announce full-lineup support, so this may be regional model variation, spec sheets not updated, or a feature added later by firmware and not yet reflected.
But if you are buying specifically for Eclipsa Audio, buy on what the spec sheet says, not on what was announced. That advice applies well beyond this one feature.
The one product we stock that supports it
Samsung HW-Q990H 11.1.4 channel soundbar — HK$7,980, in stock.
The audio formats listed on Samsung's official specification are Dolby Atmos, Atmos Music, Dolby 5.1ch, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and Eclipsa Audio.
Worth knowing: DTS is not listed on the official specification. If you have a large collection of DTS soundtracks — older Blu-rays, for instance — factor that in.
For other options, see the soundbar range or our high-end soundbar comparison.
Three things to know before you buy
1. There is still very little content
Format support is one thing; having something to watch is another. YouTube has announced support, but the volume of Eclipsa Audio content is nowhere near the library Dolby Atmos has built over a decade.
So for now, Dolby Atmos is still the format you will actually use day to day. Eclipsa is future protection, not today's workhorse.
2. Do not buy a set for Eclipsa alone
If a product's only advantage is "it has Eclipsa" while losing on driver count, channel configuration and the audio formats you actually play, it is not worth it. Hardware first, format second.
3. TVs and soundbars have different warranties
People often assume these match. They do not:
- Televisions: free on-site inspection and repair within three years. Replacement parts are quoted separately — we quote first, and only proceed once you confirm.
- Soundbars: the warranty period is one month, which is not the same as the television terms.
Full terms are in the delivery and warranty terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eclipsa Audio replacing Dolby Atmos?
Not yet. Eclipsa's advantages are that it is royalty-free and open-source, which gives it long-term reach, but its content library is far behind Dolby Atmos. For now the two coexist rather than one replacing the other.
Does my 2025 Samsung TV have Eclipsa Audio?
On the 2025 models we checked, the official specification sheet does not list it. Samsung announced full-lineup support, but individual models may vary by region. Your own set's official spec sheet is the reliable answer — or WhatsApp us with the model number and we will look it up.
What do I need to use Eclipsa Audio?
A device whose specification lists support for it, plus content produced in the format. You need both.
Does Eclipsa Audio cost extra?
No. It is royalty-free — no subscription, and no licence fee inflating the hardware price. That is precisely the point of the design.
Does the HW-Q990H support DTS?
DTS is not listed on Samsung's official specification. If you have a large DTS collection, consider that before buying.
Any questions
WhatsApp +852 9847 9793 (11:00–19:00). Tell us your TV model and what you are trying to solve, and we will help you work out whether it is a specification issue, a content issue, or something that does not need new hardware at all.
For more Samsung television options, see the Neo QLED range.
Sources
- Samsung Global Newsroom: Eclipsa Audio
- Forbes: Samsung Adds New 3D Sound Technology To 2025 TV And Soundbar Range
