

It can also run on 5.1.2, 7.1.2, and other specifically-supported configurations. For example, a system with seven satellite speakers, one subwoofer, and four Atmos speakers would be indicated by “7.1.4.” In fact, a 7.1.4 system is the Dolby Atmos “reference” setup, meaning that it runs natively on that speaker configuration.

When Atmos speakers are added, they’re added to the end of the system’s shorthand. When using standard sound system nomenclature, a system with seven satellite speakers and one subwoofer would be called a “7.1” system. While this isn’t as reliable as a true ceiling-mounted speaker, it is more effective than it has any right to be. You can also use Dolby Atmos speakers designed to shoot sound directly upward, causing it to reflect off the ceiling and sound as if it came from above. Try to put the top speakers as directly overhead as possible. Just like with two-dimensional surround sound, your speakers need to be in logical physical positions for the sound channel they’re associated with. A helicopter coming in for a landing, a rifle shot that whizzes close to an ear, the cataclysm of a large explosion: all of the effects benefit immensely from the addition of the overhead audio channel.Ītmos requires compatible source material, played through an Atmos-compatible receiver with a compatibly configured set of Atmos speakers. In Dolby Atmos recordings, sound engineers can set the “height” of the sound’s apparent origin in space around the viewer. This adds a third dimension of aural sound stage. Sounds come not just from the front, back and sides, as in a traditional two-dimensional system, but also above. Dolby Digital: What You Need to Know What Is Dolby Atmos?ĭolby Atmos is a surround-sound standard that provides a three-dimensional surround-sound stage. Different codecs, like Dobly Atmos and DTS:X, have different surround-sound capabilities, supporting different types of hardware used in higher-end home theater systems.Īlso read: DTS vs. That determines how many speakers can be used and how those speakers are oriented towards the listener. For high-end surround-sound configurations beyond 5.1, audio codec matters significantly. Just like video, sound files can have different resolutions, bit-rates, and codecs. Just like video, sound comes in many flavors.
