diff --git a/app.js b/app.js
index 781d3e7..a9ffd80 100644
--- a/app.js
+++ b/app.js
@@ -1920,6 +1920,9 @@ function animate() {
     updateLightningArcs();
   }
 
+  // Sync Web Audio API listener to camera for 3D spatial audio
+  updateAudioListener();
+
   composer.render();
 }
 
@@ -1950,6 +1953,12 @@ let audioRunning = false;
 /** @type {Array<OscillatorNode|AudioBufferSourceNode>} */
 const audioSources = [];
 
+/** @type {PannerNode[]} */
+const positionedPanners = [];
+
+/** @type {boolean} */
+let portalHumsStarted = false;
+
 /** @type {number|null} */
 let sparkleTimer = null;
 
@@ -1973,6 +1982,103 @@ function buildReverbIR(ctx, duration, decay) {
   return buf;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Creates a PannerNode fixed at world coordinates (x, y, z).
+ * HRTF model gives realistic directional cues; inverse rolloff fades
+ * with distance. Connect the returned node to masterGain.
+ * Must be called while audioCtx is initialised.
+ * @param {number} x
+ * @param {number} y
+ * @param {number} z
+ * @returns {PannerNode}
+ */
+function createPanner(x, y, z) {
+  const panner = audioCtx.createPanner();
+  panner.panningModel = 'HRTF';
+  panner.distanceModel = 'inverse';
+  panner.refDistance = 5;
+  panner.maxDistance = 80;
+  panner.rolloffFactor = 1.0;
+  if (panner.positionX) {
+    panner.positionX.value = x;
+    panner.positionY.value = y;
+    panner.positionZ.value = z;
+  } else {
+    panner.setPosition(x, y, z);
+  }
+  positionedPanners.push(panner);
+  return panner;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Updates the Web Audio API listener to match the camera's current
+ * position and orientation. Call once per animation frame.
+ */
+function updateAudioListener() {
+  if (!audioCtx) return;
+  const listener = audioCtx.listener;
+  const pos = camera.position;
+  const fwd = new THREE.Vector3(0, 0, -1).applyQuaternion(camera.quaternion);
+  const up  = new THREE.Vector3(0, 1, 0).applyQuaternion(camera.quaternion);
+  if (listener.positionX) {
+    const t = audioCtx.currentTime;
+    listener.positionX.setValueAtTime(pos.x, t);
+    listener.positionY.setValueAtTime(pos.y, t);
+    listener.positionZ.setValueAtTime(pos.z, t);
+    listener.forwardX.setValueAtTime(fwd.x, t);
+    listener.forwardY.setValueAtTime(fwd.y, t);
+    listener.forwardZ.setValueAtTime(fwd.z, t);
+    listener.upX.setValueAtTime(up.x, t);
+    listener.upY.setValueAtTime(up.y, t);
+    listener.upZ.setValueAtTime(up.z, t);
+  } else {
+    listener.setPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.z);
+    listener.setOrientation(fwd.x, fwd.y, fwd.z, up.x, up.y, up.z);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Starts a quiet positional hum for every loaded portal.
+ * Each hum is placed at the portal's world position so the sound
+ * pans left/right as the listener orbits the scene.
+ * Safe to call multiple times (idempotent).
+ */
+function startPortalHums() {
+  if (!audioCtx || !audioRunning || portals.length === 0 || portalHumsStarted) return;
+  portalHumsStarted = true;
+  // Distinct base pitches per portal slot (low sub-register)
+  const humFreqs = [58.27, 65.41, 73.42, 82.41, 87.31];
+  portals.forEach((portal, i) => {
+    const panner = createPanner(
+      portal.position.x,
+      portal.position.y + 1.5,
+      portal.position.z
+    );
+    panner.connect(masterGain);
+
+    const osc = audioCtx.createOscillator();
+    osc.type = 'sine';
+    osc.frequency.value = humFreqs[i % humFreqs.length];
+
+    // Slow tremolo for organic feel
+    const lfo = audioCtx.createOscillator();
+    lfo.frequency.value = 0.07 + i * 0.02;
+    const lfoGain = audioCtx.createGain();
+    lfoGain.gain.value = 0.008;
+    lfo.connect(lfoGain);
+
+    const g = audioCtx.createGain();
+    g.gain.value = 0.035;
+    lfoGain.connect(g.gain);
+    osc.connect(g);
+    g.connect(panner);
+
+    osc.start();
+    lfo.start();
+    audioSources.push(osc, lfo);
+  });
+}
+
 /**
  * Starts the ambient soundtrack. Safe to call multiple times (idempotent).
  */
@@ -2063,6 +2169,8 @@ function startAmbient() {
   audioSources.push(noiseNode);
 
   // -- Layer 4: Sparkle plucks (pentatonic: A4 C5 E5 A5 C6) --
+  // Each pluck spawns at a random 3D position around the platform so
+  // the sound appears to drift in from different directions.
   const sparkleNotes = [440, 523.25, 659.25, 880, 1046.5];
   function scheduleSparkle() {
     if (!audioRunning || !audioCtx) return;
@@ -2074,10 +2182,28 @@ function startAmbient() {
     env.gain.setValueAtTime(0, now);
     env.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0.08, now + 0.02);
     env.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, now + 1.8);
+
+    // Position sparkle at a random point floating above the platform
+    const angle = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
+    const radius = 3 + Math.random() * 9;
+    const sparkPanner = createPanner(
+      Math.cos(angle) * radius,
+      1.5 + Math.random() * 4,
+      Math.sin(angle) * radius
+    );
+    sparkPanner.connect(masterGain);
+
     osc.connect(env);
-    env.connect(masterGain);
+    env.connect(sparkPanner);
     osc.start(now);
     osc.stop(now + 1.9);
+    // Disconnect panner once the note is gone
+    osc.addEventListener('ended', () => {
+      try { sparkPanner.disconnect(); } catch (_) {}
+      const idx = positionedPanners.indexOf(sparkPanner);
+      if (idx !== -1) positionedPanners.splice(idx, 1);
+    });
+
     // Schedule next sparkle: 3-9 seconds
     const nextMs = 3000 + Math.random() * 6000;
     sparkleTimer = setTimeout(scheduleSparkle, nextMs);
@@ -2090,6 +2216,9 @@ function startAmbient() {
 
   audioRunning = true;
   document.getElementById('audio-toggle').textContent = '🔇';
+
+  // Start portal hums if portals are already loaded
+  startPortalHums();
 }
 
 /**
@@ -2108,6 +2237,9 @@ function stopAmbient() {
   setTimeout(() => {
     audioSources.forEach(n => { try { n.stop(); } catch (_) {} });
     audioSources.length = 0;
+    positionedPanners.forEach(p => { try { p.disconnect(); } catch (_) {} });
+    positionedPanners.length = 0;
+    portalHumsStarted = false;
     ctx.close();
     audioCtx = null;
     masterGain = null;
@@ -2633,6 +2765,8 @@ async function loadPortals() {
     portals = await res.json();
     console.log('Loaded portals:', portals);
     createPortals();
+    // If audio is already running, attach positional hums to the portals now
+    startPortalHums();
   } catch (error) {
     console.error('Failed to load portals:', error);
   }