Auracast: The Future of Shared Audio Is Already Here

Auracast: the technology changing how we listen to the world

Imagine walking into a gym where the TV is muted and, instead of trying to guess what the commentator is saying, you simply tune into the signal from your phone. No cables. No complicated setup. Your headphones receive the audio in real time, clearly and directly. That is Auracast.

Auracast is a feature of Bluetooth LE Audio that allows a single device — a phone, TV, or computer — to broadcast audio to an unlimited number of receivers at the same time. The closest analogy is this: it is like Wi-Fi, but for sound. One source, multiple listeners, without sacrificing audio quality.

How does Auracast work in real life?

The technology behind Auracast is called broadcast audio: a transmission model in which the source does not need to pair individually with every receiver. Any compatible headphones within range can tune into the signal, much like a radio picks up a station without establishing a one-to-one connection.

According to the official Bluetooth SIG specification, the number of receivers that can join an Auracast broadcast is unlimited, and audio quality is not affected by how many devices are listening.

There is another important technical advantage: the low latency provided by Bluetooth LE Audio. This allows sound to reach your headphones almost in real time, without the noticeable delay associated with traditional Bluetooth. That completely changes what is possible in everyday spaces.

At airports and gyms

Muted screens stop being a problem. With Auracast, audio from any compatible TV can be transmitted directly to your Sennheiser headphones. You can follow the news in an airport lounge or listen to match commentary in a sports bar without disturbing anyone around you.

Sharing music with friends

Want two or more people to listen to the same playlist from a single phone? Auracast makes it possible without sacrificing audio quality. Everyone receives the same signal at the same time, with the fidelity provided by the LC3 codec, the Bluetooth LE Audio compression standard designed to deliver better quality while using less data.

Hearing accessibility in public spaces

In conference halls, theaters, and auditoriums, Auracast-compatible systems can transmit a speaker's audio directly to the audience's hearing devices or headphones, with digital clarity and without interference. This represents a tangible step forward in hearing accessibility in shared environments, and Bluetooth SIG considers it one of the standard's priority use cases.

If you want to better understand why sound quality directly affects how we perceive audio, we recommend reading Fundamentals of Hearing on our Sound Space blog.

Sennheiser and Auracast: ready for the future

Some headphones promise future features and postpone them indefinitely. Sennheiser takes a different approach: compatible models evolve over time through firmware updates that expand their capabilities without requiring you to buy new hardware.

Models such as the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 and ACCENTUM True Wireless already support Bluetooth LE Audio and can add Auracast support through firmware updates. Professionals who demand high sound quality also choose them for listening in public spaces thanks to their frequency response, active noise cancellation, and battery life.

Activating Auracast on compatible headphones is almost as simple as connecting to a Wi-Fi network. You can check the details of the firmware update on our blog. In short:

• CONNECT: Pair your phone with your headphones.
• SEARCH: Open the Smart Control Plus app and look for nearby Auracast broadcasts.
• SELECT: Choose the channel and start listening.

You need the latest version of the Smart Control Plus app and the latest firmware for your device.

Before replacing your current headphones, check our guide on how to choose Bluetooth headphones based on your daily routine.

Frequently asked questions about Auracast

What do I need to use Auracast?

You need a transmitting device that supports Bluetooth LE Audio, such as a modern smartphone, and headphones or speakers that support the Auracast standard. For compatible Sennheiser models, activation is handled through the Smart Control Plus app.

How many people can connect to the same Auracast broadcast?

Technically, there is no limit to the number of receivers. The transmitter sends a single broadcast signal that any compatible headphones within range can receive, without requiring additional bandwidth for each device that joins. Bluetooth SIG confirms this in its official documentation.

Does Auracast use more battery?

Quite the opposite. The low latency and efficiency of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) mean power consumption can be lower than with traditional Bluetooth. The LC3 codec also contributes to this efficiency: it maintains high audio fidelity while using less bandwidth, which can translate into longer listening sessions.

Shared audio now has a name

Bluetooth SIG reports that Auracast is already being deployed in theaters, universities, churches, museums, and stadiums around the world, and the number of compatible spaces and devices continues to grow. Sennheiser headphones are already prepared to receive that signal. Now all that is left is to connect.

Get ready for the future of audio. Discover our headphones compatible with the latest Bluetooth technologies here.