Spatial Audio on Macbook Pro with Dell monitor S3225QC

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Spatial Audio on Macbook Pro with Dell monitor S3225QC

Macbook 2023 model with latest software. Just connected new Dell S3225QC monitor bought especially for spatial audio. Have tried both HDMI and USB-C connection. Have configured speakers through Audio Midi setup to 8 ch 24-bit Integer 48.0 kHz, 5.1 configuration. Keep getting pop-up message saying "Spatial Audio Unsuccessful Position not detected" immediately followed by pop-up message saying "Spatial Audio on Position Sensor on". These two pop-ups repeats at regular intervals of a few minutes. Anyone know how to solve this one?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Aug 9, 2025 6:31 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 9, 2025 7:07 PM in response to michellefromfootscray

Does Dell actually state the monitor is compatible with Apple’s Spatial Audio? I don’t see that stated. Dell says their display has Spatial Audio, that’s a generic audio format and not specifically Apple. Amazon has spatial audio. Microsoft has spatial audio. Just because both Dell and Apple have it, that doesn’t mean the Dell monitor supports Apple’s version of it.

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Answer 2

Aug 10, 2025 1:19 PM in response to michellefromfootscray

Another thought – is the popup message on the Mac or on the display? (Even if you're in clamshell mode, the a display prompt would look different from the typical Mac dialog box.) If it's from the monitor itself, I'd suggest contacting Dell technical support.

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2025 3:32 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks for helping out. The message is from the monitor itself and yes I have already contacted Dell. I was hoping someone in the Apple world might also have come across the problem. Dell say the monitor works with the MacOS but perhaps that is just the visual side and not the audio. Silly me for assuming it would work as advertised!

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Spatial Audio on Macbook Pro with Dell monitor S3225QC

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