This 一般 术语 提及 to the 使用 of 多 扬声器 and 联合 混音 意图 for these 扬声器 in the 创作 of 可沉浸环境 空间 聆听 环境 for audiences or individuals The 术语 is most closely 联合 with 科技 and 艺术 发展 in 电影 声音 with the 制作 encoding and 回放 of 数字 soundtracks extended from 历史 frontal 空间 configuration to 环绕 the 听众 in a 360° 领域（野外） There are a 数 of commercially competing 二选一 in 科技 标准 in this area and 发展 are now increasingly becoming incorporated for 使用 with home entertainment 系统 With the 发展 of the 音频 DVD from the CD some 电子声学 practitioners are exploring opportunities that may 存在 in domestic 聆听 situations as well as fixing 元素 of 现场演出 or 预先定义 空间 as it might be experienced in the concert hall for home 聆听

The 术语 may also be used by some to more loosely refer to any 技术 or experiential 空间 布置 of 声音 beyond 立体声