You know how an HDR screen can make a movie look much better and more realistic? Well, there’s a way to do the same thing for sound, not just video. It’s called Dolby Atmos, and it’s a technology that creates a three-dimensional sound field for movies, making you feel like you’re surrounded by the action. In this article, we’ll explain what Dolby Atmos is, how it works, and why you should give it a try.
What is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a sound technology that creates a three-dimensional audio experience. Unlike traditional surround sound systems, Dolby Atmos does not simply assign sounds to specific channels or speakers. Instead, it also treats each sound as an individual object that can be placed anywhere in the room, including above the listener’s head.
This gives filmmakers more creative freedom to craft realistic and immersive soundscapes for their movies. They can use up to 128 sound objects to move the sound along with the action on the screen, or to add ambient sounds that enhance the mood and atmosphere. For example, in a rainforest scene, you might hear birds chirping from different directions, or raindrops falling from above.
To enjoy Dolby Atmos at home, you need a compatible speaker system that can reproduce the dimensions and directions of sound. A complete Dolby Atmos experience requires 9 speakers in total, including front, centre, left and right speakers, along with a subwoofer and a couple of height speakers. However, this isn’t necessary, as Atmos is smart enough to adjust the sound based on your current setup, even if it’s just a mobile phone.
How is Dolby Atmos different from Spatial Audio?
Dolby Atmos and Apple’s Spatial Audio are both technologies that aim to create a more immersive sound experience for the listener. However, they are not exactly the same thing.
Dolby Atmos is a spatial audio format that uses multiple speakers or sound channels to create a three-dimensional sound field. It can place sounds above, below, behind, or in front of the listener, creating a realistic and enveloping soundstage. Many devices, such as TVs, soundbars, home theaters, headphones, and smartphones support it.
Apple’s Spatial Audio is a feature that can enhance Dolby Atmos by adding head tracking and device tracking (although it doesn’t technically need Dolby Atmos). Head tracking uses the gyroscope and accelerometer in the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max to detect the orientation of the listener’s head and adjust the sound accordingly.
In other words, Dolby Atmos creates a spatial sound field, while Apple’s Spatial Audio adapts it to the listener’s perspective. Both technologies can work together to deliver a more realistic sound experience.
How to get Dolby Atmos?
There are many options for Dolby Atmos speakers, from complete systems to soundbars to TVs with built-in height speakers. You can also use an AV receiver that supports Dolby Atmos and connect it to your existing speakers.
To play Dolby Atmos content, you will need a device that supports the technology as well as compatible speakers. Some of the devices that support Dolby Atmos are Sky Q box, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and the latest PlayStation and Xbox. You can also use Dolby Atmos for Headphones on Xbox or Windows PC, which will create a personal surround sound effect with any headphones. And in terms of speakers, there are plenty of all-in-one Dolby Atmos-compatible systems to choose from.
Experiencing Dolby Atmos content typically requires supporting content. For instance, certain movies on Netflix will have a tiny Dolby Atmos label next to their names indicating support. However, on smartphones, that isn’t always necessary. If your phone supports Dolby Atmos, your media will produce more immersive audio regardless of whether it supports Atmos or not.
That said, if you want to experience Dolby Atmos on the big screen, you can go to one of the movies that support the technology. Look for a label that mentions this sound technology the next time you book a movie.
What’s Dolby Atmos like on mobile?
Dolby Atmos on mobile isn’t exactly the same as the real deal, but it does a pretty good job of making the sound more immersive and realistic.
Support for Dolby Atmos on smartphones is ever-growing. You can now find it even on some entry-level devices, although you’d still be far more likely to find on flagship phones. Most Samsung flagships support it and so do all Apple iPhones starting from the iPhone 11, although the Google Pixels lack it for some reason.
Do I need Dolby Atmos?
The difference Dolby Atmos makes is pretty major but unless you are a fan of high-end audiovisual experiences, you can still enjoy your TV or home theater system without it — albeit with less immersive audio. Dolby Atmos can be pricey if you want to have the full experience since it requires compatible devices and content. But if you are curious about how Dolby Atmos sounds like, you can visit a nearby store that has a demo setup and experience it for yourself. You may be amazed by how realistic and immersive the sound can be.
Dolby Atmos is a sound technology that creates a 3D audio experience for media. (Image: Zebronics) 
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