Foyer

What it does

Foyer is a spatial ambient sound app for Mac and iPhone. It turns ambient sounds into glowing orbs on a black canvas. You place sounds around you, pull them closer to increase volume, and slide them left or right to pan. The app uses binaural mixing so each sound occupies a specific point in space, creating a realistic sound field. It lives in the Mac menu bar, allowing you to control playback without opening a window. Features include a sleep/focus timer, AirPods head tracking, shareable rooms, and optional scheduling, Shortcuts, Focus filters, and iCloud sync (unlocked via one-time purchase).

Who it is for

Foyer is for anyone who wants to create a personalized ambient sound environment for focus, relaxation, or sleep. It's particularly suited for Mac and iPhone users who prefer a spatial audio experience over traditional stereo ambient apps. The menu bar integration makes it ideal for workers who want ambient sound without managing a separate window. The one-time purchase model appeals to those who dislike subscriptions.

Why it matters

Most ambient sound apps play flat stereo files. Foyer places each sound at a point in space and mixes it binaurally, so rain can sit behind you, fire to your left, and the sound field stays anchored as you move (with AirPods head tracking). This creates a more immersive and realistic experience. The app also runs entirely offline, with all sounds stored locally, ensuring privacy and no streaming dependency.

Launch signal

Foyer is currently available for download on Mac and iPhone. The website indicates it is a released product with a one-time purchase price of $9.99. The app has a library of ambient sounds (hearth, rain, chimes, forest, stream, breeze, crickets, distant thunder, ocean, Tokyo café, snowfall) with new sounds added monthly. The founder is Florent Berrez.

Brand and naming

The name "Foyer" evokes the idea of an entryway or a welcoming space, aligning with the app's concept of creating a personal ambient room. The branding is minimal and focused on the visual metaphor of a black canvas with glowing orbs. The tagline "Build a room of ambient sound that lives in your notch" emphasizes the spatial and integrated nature of the experience.