Dear David Q & A: Dolby Atmos
Dear David
What is Dolby Atmos?
This weeks Dear David question, doubles as a beginners guide to the Dolby Atmos platform.
Hello David,
My Panasonic TC-P50ST30 plasma TV is getting a bit long in the tooth, so I purchased a Sony A8H OLED to upgrade to 4K. Back in 2011, I added a Denon receiver along with a Klipsch 6.1 surround speaker set to create my home theater system. Will the 2011 Denon be capable of passing the 4K signal from my DISH Hopper set-top box to my new TV, and if I upgrade my receiver, should I get Dolby Atmos? Also, to create an Atmos system, I would also have to purchase at least two ceiling speakers correct? What else do I need?
— T.J.
Naperville, IL
Hey TJ,
Whenever I discuss specific recommendations, I usually like to begin with a primer on the technology we are talking about. So, I am going to explain Dolby Atmos, as I do to our clients who may not be familiar with it. We’ve seen quite an increase in inquiries lately about our Atmos capable products. While I love the simplicity of sound-bars, and there are even some that are Dolby Atmos, they still cannot match a quality surround receiver paired with good speakers.
Dolby Atmos is a surround format from Dolby Laboratories. Creating an immersive experience that puts you inside the song, movie or whatever you are watching, it is the ultimate for viewing and listening, and now you can have it in your home.
I wasn’t originally sure if it was worth it to deal with this new technology in a home environment. But it turns out it is over the top amazing and definitely worthwhile.
Dolby Atmos actually creates an incredibly immersive surround field that locates objects with precision. By adding an extra dimension in sound you hear more in every track. In addition to the normal set of front, center and surround speakers, Dolby Atmos uses additional speakers placed overhead radiating downward toward the listener, or speakers pointed upward, designed to bounce sound off the ceiling. The system performs better when the speakers are configured in the ceiling, radiating downward rather than systems designed to bounce off the ceiling, but sometimes that is just not an option.
We have a choice of several different Dolby Atmos sound-bars, and while it is very immersive, I do not get quite the same experience as I do when I use a Dolby Atmos system with on or in ceiling speakers. Set up properly you will even experience a difference while watching regular TV. We are happy to share the experience with you in our showroom home theater.
You are going to need
A receiver with seven channels of amplification that can be used to drive:
• One center channel speaker
• Two front speakers
• Two surround speakers
• Two Atmos speakers.
And of course we will want to select the perfect subwoofer (or two) for your space.
This configuration is referred to as 5.1.2, the 5 standing for the normal surround sound five-speaker set up, the 1 for the subwoofer connection and the 2 for the Atmos speakers. A 7.1.4 Atmos system would have seven speakers with a subwoofer and four Atmos speakers.
There is so much more to discuss, so please reach out and we can go into it in more detail. You can also experience Dolby Atmos in out showroom theater, but be prepared to want it for your home as soon as possible!
-David
