ISO/IEC 23008-6:2025

Overview

ISO/IEC 23008-6:2025 specifies reference simulation software for the MPEG‑H 3D audio system defined in ISO/IEC 23008-3. This fourth edition provides the normative bitstream decoding reference implementation and informative encoding and utility tools as source code. The package is intended as a definitive software model that correctly implements the MPEG‑H 3D audio decoding processes and to support development, testing and conformance activities.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 23008-6, MPEG‑H 3D audio, reference software, 3D audio decoder, reference model encoder, immersive audio.

Key Topics

• Normative decoding software
  • Reference implementation of the MPEG‑H 3D audio decoder (modules/3DAudioCoder/3DAudioDecoder).
  • Decoder is normative in behavior (correctly implements ISO/IEC 23008-3), though implementation techniques are not prescriptive.
• Informative encoding software (Annex A)
  • Reference model encoder (RM) for creating compliant bitstreams; implementation quality and complexity are not optimized.
• Utility software (Annex B)
  • Tools and libraries for WAV handling, channel/object separation, channel merger/splitter, sample cutter, filter banks, QMF (qmflib), FFT (fftlib), bitstream reader/writer, and helpers for loudspeaker configurations.
• Reference software structure & licensing
  • Source code package available from the ISO standards repository.
  • Each source module includes a copyright disclaimer and a royalty-free licence for use in conformant implementations; implementers are advised to check patent status.
• Conformance and normative scope
  • The software is derived from models used during development of ISO/IEC 23008-3 and is intended as a normative reference for decoding behavior, not as the only permitted implementation.

Applications

This standard and its reference software are practical for:

• Codec developers implementing MPEG‑H 3D audio decoders/encoders.
• Product engineers building playback devices, receivers, and media players that support 3D audio.
• Content producers and post‑production teams validating object/channel rendering and loudspeaker configurations.
• Test labs and conformance bodies verifying bitstream compliance with ISO/IEC 23008-3.
• Researchers and educators studying MPEG‑H 3D audio algorithms and reference models.

Source code and software modules are provided by ISO at: https://standards.iso.org/iso-iec/23008/-6/ed-4/en

Related Standards

• ISO/IEC 23008-3 - High efficiency coding and media delivery in heterogeneous environments - Part 3: 3D audio (normative companion standard defining syntax and decoding processes).
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 23008 series (for related coding and delivery topics).