first number of bits, wherein the third number of bits is variably distributed on a sub- band-by-sub-band basis. Encoding the at least one energy ratio values of the frame based on a defined allocation of a second number of bits from the first number of bits may further comprise: generating a weighted average of the at least one energy ratio value; encoding the weighted average of the at least one energy ratio value based on the second number of bits. Encoding the weighted average of the at least one energy ratio value based on the second number of bits may further comprise scalar non-uniform quantizing the at least one weighted average of the at least one energy ratio value. Encoding the at least one azimuth value and/or at least one elevation value of the frame based on a defined allocation of a third number of bits from the first number of bits, wherein the third number of bits is variably distributed on a sub- band-by-sub-band basis may further comprise: determining an initial estimate for the distribution of the third number of bits on a sub-band-by-sub-band basis, the initial estimate based on the at least one energy ratio value associated with the sub- band; spatial quantizing the at least one azimuth value and/or at least one elevation value based on the initial estimate for the distribution of the third number of bits on a sub-band-by-sub-band basis to generate at least one azimuth index and/or at least one elevation index for each sub-band. Encoding the at least one azimuth value and/or at least one elevation value of the frame based on a defined allocation of a third number of bits from the first number of bits, wherein the third number of bits is variably distributed on a sub- band-by-sub-band basis may further comprise encoding on a sub-band-by-sub- band basis by determining a reduced distribution of the third number of bits on a sub-band-by-sub-band basis, the reduced estimate based on the initial estimate and the defined allocation of the second number of bits. Encoding the at least one azimuth value and/or at least one elevation value of the frame based on a defined allocation of a third number of bits from the first number of bits, wherein the third number of bits is variably distributed on a sub- band-by-sub-band basis may further comprise encoding on a sub-band-by-sub-