There are games where sound makes a huge difference and can even determine your chances of winning or losing. Dolby Atmos is a collection of metadata that works together with surround sound signals to produce object-specific audio through the Dolby Atmos speakers. That and the fact that Dolby Atmos is quickly spreading in the home entertainment sector are good reasons to take the leap. Dolby Atmos Soundbar for TV: The world’s leading surround sound technology reproduces breathtaking, moving audio from all around you—even overhead. The overhead affects are nice at first, but the awe goes away quickly. Soundbars are a great step-up from the built-in stereo speakers in TV sets. Dolby Atmos-compatible content is becoming easily available by the day. Is Dolby Atmos Worth It for Home Theater? But a full surround sound using Dolby Atmos for gaming will require you to have Atmos-enabled speakers and AV receivers. The extra cost of stepping up from your standard 2.1 or 5.1 soundbars to an Atmos … Any connections between devices should be made using HDMI ARC and not, e.g., optical cables since optical connections cannot handle the higher bandwidth requirements of Dolby Digital Plus. Netflix, for example, allows only devices that can fully decode Atmos, to stream Atmos soundtracks. Building home theater rooms has been my hobby for a long time. This means that the high notes of this soundbar are very good. This object-based audio system takes surround sound to a whole new level by creating a ‘bubble’ in which sound comes from all angles. For a cheaper alternative, check out the Sony HT-X9000F Soundbar (Amazon). The two Atmos upward-firing drivers are at the top of the soundbar to give you the vertical dimension. Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Labs. To identify films that are playing in Dolby Atmos, look out for an Atmos icon next to the movie title. Dolby Atmos is the future of surround sound. Unfortunately, even with Dolby Atmos-enabled streaming boxes, you still need the specific app you’re using to support Atmos if you want to use this technology. Whether you are using a self-powered soundbar or surround sound speakers connected to an AV receiver, the device must be compatible with Atmos. But, many 2.1 soundbars can deliver something akin to it through surround-sound virtualization. Related: How to setup a Dolby Atmos soundbar. Dolby Atmos is the latest innovation in surround sound technology and it’s becoming a more common sound bar feature. ... Subs are worth adding to enhance the overall Dolby Atmos movie experience. Netflix is the only one with atmos, so I would not say it is worth it. There are various price points for different receivers so you can easily get something that fits your budget. This app was just recently launched by Dolby, and it enables the upmixing of stereo and 5.1 to Dolby Atmos. There are a few other obstacles when it comes to streaming boxes and apps. Read on to get some perspective on whether you should or shouldn’t make the move. If all you want is a step up from your TV’s built-in sound, not a gigantic leap, don’t bother. One thing for sure is that Dolby Atmos is awesome. The Vizio SB36512-F6 is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar for the money and a great place to start. But there’s more. If all of that sounds like hard work, the obvious option is the to go for a TV like the HZ2000 with the Dolby Atmos system built into it, and ready to deliver the best sound that you have ever heard, straight out of the box. Sony recently announced the HT-G700, a $600 3.1 channel soundbar that offers Dolby Atmos and the company’s virtual surround engine. Even though these soundbars can produce Dolby Atmos sound, they are not as impressive as dedicated speakers. Some apps only allow specific devices to access Dolby Atmos. Otherwise, stick to 2.1 or 5.1. Purchasing components for Dolby Atmos is not something you want to skimp on – a $5,000 7.1.4 discrete Atmos system will be way more immersive than a $500 soundbar with virtualized Atmos. Luckily, gamers can access more of their gaming content using the Dolby Access app on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. Two of the upward-firing drivers are in the rear speakers and two in the soundbar. The sound equipment you use to play has to be compatible with Atmos. That’s why, chances are, even if you think you’re happy with what 2.1 or 5.1 delivers, if you did take the plunge with an Atmos soundbar, you’d become an Atmos-convert. When using Dolby Atmos, if a plane is flying on screen, you’ll feel like it’s actually passing right over your head from one side of the room to another. 5, 7, or 9 and the number of height channels, e.g. Most often, the home Dolby Atmos system will include two or four height speakers just to get the ideal 3D sound effect and create the 360-degree bubble of sound. For example, 7.1 and 9.1 surround sound speakers can easily be rearranged to serve an Atmos setup. The same system is used for Dolby Atmos to be able to understand or identify the components upfront. It means that sounds are no longer assigned to particular speakers. If you don’t fancy the idea of ceiling cutting and wire-fishing, then getting Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers is your best alternative. Soundbars are a great step-up from the built-in stereo speakers in TV sets. When you get a Samsung soundbar with Dolby Atmos, you can immerse yourself in unparalleled and dynamic sound. To my ears, Atmos sounds fuller and clearer than regular 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Atmos adds a vertical dimension to the audio output. Well, it’s no surprise there is a price to pay for the Atmos innovation. Let’s have a look at the key components that you should align in order to enjoy this amazing sound technology. Atmos treats sounds as objects. If you have a 5.1 system, you can also just purchase two or four additional speakers for the overhead units. And, as in real life, each sound can move precisely and independently of another. You can pick up relatively cheap 2.1 or 5.1 soundbars that produce surround sound. Hope you find the information useful. For example, this BYL-SD08 140Watt 2.1 Soundbar (Amazon link), comes in at the $100 mark. Hope you find the information useful. The soundbars come with up-firing drivers such that you can hear the sound coming at you from above and every unique angle. Since 2016, most electronic devices have been enabled for Atmos recording and mixing. The height speakers are the main distinguishing components of an Atmos setup. Go. Stick with 2.1 or 5.1 soundbars. What is Dolby Atmos? You can even use a Dolby Cinema locator to see if your local theater provides the whole Dolby Cinema experience. You know, that vertical dimension that Atmos adds. A 5.1 soundbar has five speakers. Let’s begin. There is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with rear speakers in this kind of price range, though: the Vizio 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar. Dolby Atmos has continued to grow and expand its reach. In India, Dolby Atmos entered through this soundbar only. Dolby Atmos soundbars are priced higher than many of their competitors. Atmos adds a vertical dimension to the audio output. So, some people use headphones due to limited space, while some just prefer it when gaming on an Xbox One or PC. I’m excited to share what I have learned. But let’s not get too carried away. There is a universal naming system for home theatres. Check out. Some good examples of these are the, An example of the Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar is, There are various price points for different receivers so you can easily get something that fits your budget. Home Theater Academy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Instead, they’re assigned to a place within the three dimensional sound space created with Atmos. More to these, Atmos for Headphones can also work on your phone, if you’re interested. Atmos-enabled soundbars can play both Atmos-enabled content or the usual standard content. At first, it was made for the theaters and cinemas. Check out Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A680 7.2CH 145 W Dolby Atmos (Amazon). The Sonos Arc is our pick for the best soundbar of 2020 – and a cheaper version of the Dolby Atmos bar is soon to be unveiled, according to the multi-room audio brand.