I Built a Machine to See Spatial Audio

Do spatial audio soundbars actually work, or is a traditional surround sound setup still the only way to get immersive audio? Instead of relying on marketing hype and listening tests, I decided to physically see the difference.

Using my DIY acoustic C.A.T. (Computerised Acoustical Tomography) scanner and Schlieren imaging, I built a 4:1 scale model of a listening room (featuring a friendly guinea pig) to visualize how sound waves behave in the real world. We dive into the scary acoustics of the "phantom center," the harsh reality of DIY beam steering, and why your living room soft furnishings are the ultimate villain of the modern soundbar.

Plus, we tackle hardware upgrades, ditching Raspberry Pi jitter using a Pico 2W, and the sad reality of buying cheap DIY wire.

🧡 Support the Channel on Patreon:
To help fund more advanced projects, deep-dive engineering, and weird physics experiments, consider joining the Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/PlasmatronX

💻 Code & CAD Files (GitHub):
If you want to replicate anything I’ve done in this video—or try steering beams from your own arse—you can find all the open-source Python code, 3D printing files, and schematics right here:
https://github.com/Plasmatronixrepo/CAT_scanner_pico

🛒 Parts Used in This Build:
(Using these links helps support the channel at no extra cost to you!)
• Pi Pico 2W (with headers): https://amzn.to/4dHBDDx
• Pi 4 (2GB): https://amzn.to/4fPCROf

🛠️ My Workbench Gear:
• Rigol Oscilloscope: https://amzn.to/43EIOpU

👇 Watch This Next:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky7AWh8nd-A&t=88s

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & CHAPTERS:
00:00 - The Soundbar vs. Surround Sound Debate
00:44 - Mapping Sound (The Hard Way)
01:03 - C.A.T. (Computerised Acoustical Tomography)
01:24 - Acoustic Scaling & The Guinea Pig
02:44 - The Jitter Bugs (Upgrading to Pico 2W)
03:08 - DIY 8-Channel Amp Build
04:29 - The sad story of using Cheap Wire
05:12 - Setting up the 3D Test Ring
05:45 - Psychoacoustics & The "Phantom Center"
07:05 - How Soundbars Work (HRTF)
07:35 - What is Beam Steering?
07:56 - Waveguides & Prototypes 1-6 (Failing at Beam Steering)
09:00 - The Wall Reflection Test
09:20 - The Soft Furnishings (Curtain) Problem
09:40 - Why Surround Sound Also Sucks
10:10 - The Verdict (Stick to Headphones?)
10:43 - Outro, Patreon & GitHub Project Files

#Engineering #Acoustics #RaspberryPi #DIY #Physics #Audio #Maker #SpatialAudio #SurroundSound

Видео I Built a Machine to See Spatial Audio канала PlasmatronX