Dolby Atmos is everywhere today: on televisions, soundbars, in headphones and in games. It promises surround sound that draws you into the action. Let us explain what Dolby Atmos is, how it works, what alternatives it has and what you need to enjoy it.

What Dolby Atmos is

Dolby Atmos is a surround (3D) sound technology that also adds a height dimension. Classic surround sound surrounds you from the sides and behind, Atmos additionally places sounds above you too, so a plane flies overhead and rain falls from above.

The main novelty is that Atmos works with sound as objects, not just fixed channels. Each sound has its position in space and the system plays it where it belongs, depending on what speaker setup you have. Thanks to this, the same track sounds good on a big home cinema and on a soundbar.

How Atmos is played

  • Ceiling or upward-firing speakers that create sound from above (by reflecting off the ceiling).
  • Soundbars with Atmos support that simulate the height.
  • Headphones, where the space is created virtually (surround sound for headphones).

You do not need a big cinema right away, Atmos works on a soundbar or quality headphones too, just with varying degrees of fidelity.

Alternatives to Dolby Atmos

Atmos is not the only one. There are competing and complementary technologies too:

  • DTS:X. The main competitor to Atmos, also object-based surround sound with height. It works similarly, differing in licensing and device support.
  • Auro-3D. Another surround format with an emphasis on height layers, less widespread.
  • Sony 360 Reality Audio. Surround sound aimed mainly at music and headphones.
  • Windows Sonic and DTS Headphone:X. Solutions that create surround sound virtually for ordinary headphones, popular especially in gaming.

When choosing a device, watch which formats it supports, most often it is Atmos and DTS:X.

Where surround sound is used

  • Movies and series in the cinema and at home (streaming services support Atmos).
  • Home cinema and soundbars.
  • Games, where 3D sound helps determine direction, more in the article on how to choose gaming accessories.
  • Music in a surround mix.
  • Headphones for movies, games and music, more in the article on how to choose headphones.

What you need for it

To actually hear surround sound, three things must work together:

  1. Content in the given format (a movie, game or music with Atmos or DTS:X).
  2. A device that supports the format (TV, soundbar, receiver or headphones).
  3. Correct setup and connection (for example via HDMI with support for the given sound).

If even one link is missing, you will not get surround sound, even though the device has “Atmos” on the box.

Conclusion

Dolby Atmos is 3D surround sound that also adds a height dimension and works with sound as objects. Its main alternative is DTS:X, plus there is Auro-3D and virtual solutions for headphones. To enjoy surround sound, you need content, a supporting device and correct connection.

Dealing with a home cinema, sound system or gaming audio and want advice? Get in touch, we will design a setup based on what and where you listen.