System and method for optimizing loudness and dynamic range across different playback devices

An audio processing device for decoding one or more frames of an encoded audio bitstream, the encoded audio bitstream including audio data and metadata for a plurality of dynamic range control (DRC) profiles, the audio processing device comprising:

• a bitstream parser configured to parse the encoded audio bitstream and to extract the encoded audio data and metadata for one or more of the DRC profiles;
• and
• an audio decoder configured to decode the encoded audio data and to apply DRC gains to the decoded audio data, wherein:
• each DRC profile is suitable for at least one device type or listening environment;
• the audio decoder selects one or more of the DRC profiles in response to information about the audio processing device or the listening environment;
• the DRC gains applied to the decoded audio data correspond to the one or more selected DRC profiles;
• and
• the DRC gains corresponding to the one or more selected DRC profiles are included in the metadata of the encoded audio bitstream.