Today's best-in-class soundbars offer more than just stereo sound: the finest among them are versatile surround sound systems that can enhance your home entertainment audio in a completely new way.
Whether you desire more immersive games or movies, a good Dolby Atmos soundbar can significantly improve the sound of your setup.
What is Dolby Atmos
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of Dolby Atmos soundbars, here’s a little background. (If you’re already familiar with the basics of Dolby Atmos, please skip ahead.)
Dolby Atmos is a modern audio format. You can compare it to stereo sound or surround sound. In Dolby Atmos audio format, audio from movies, video games, or soundtracks is projected in such a way that the listener gets to listen to the audio in an immersive way. Specifically, Dolby Atmos is popular for producing a three-dimensional effect.
Here are 4 key reasons to consider upgrading to a Dolby Atmos soundbar.
1. Most TV Speakers Sound Awful
With the trend towards slimmer designs and reduced bezels in most televisions, it becomes apparent why TV speakers sound so bad or not that good. The compact size of these speakers results in an audio experience that lacks clarity and impact. Furthermore, their limited capacity prevents them from producing deep and powerful bass response.
2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Enhanced audio immersion than Traditional Stereo Soundbar
Dolby Atmos soundbars offer a superior audio experience compared to traditional stereo soundbars. By utilizing advanced technology and object-based audio, Dolby Atmos creates a more expansive and immersive soundstage. This allows listeners to feel closer to the on-screen action, with sound coming from multiple directions, including overhead, resulting in a more lifelike and enveloping entertainment experience
3. Dolby Atmos is Everywhere
The movie streaming service you are subscribed to most likely offers a wide range of films with Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Sky, HBO Max, Vudu, Rakuten (on select devices), and Kaleidescape all provide Atmos titles within their subscription services or stores. This means that Atmos is no longer something you will only occasionally enjoy.
Dolby Atmos is also making a significant impact in the music industry. Recently, Apple has been working on Spatial Audio, which can be seen as a form of Atmos for music. This technology allows music to be delivered in Dolby Atmos format, providing a true multichannel experience rather than an AI-upscaled simulation. The music is mixed with creativity and precision, allowing it to be played through multiple speakers, not just in surround sound but also with height, thanks to the additional dimension provided by Dolby Atmos.
Furthermore, most 4K Blu-Ray releases now feature Atmos soundtracks, and many games for the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X also support Atmos.
4. You Don't Need to Run Cables
A soundbar is a single bar that contains multiple speakers. These days, most soundbars connect wireless or via HDMI eARC/ARC(What is HDMI eARC and HDMI ARC?), which means you can place them anywhere around the TV and get better audio quality without worrying about wires or cables running across your room.