Dolby Atmos technology can be utilized in several ways with varying degrees of authenticity and sound resolution. This article will explore what it takes to get a bona fide Dolby Atmos home theater system and how you can set up a decent approximation without paying an arm and a leg.
AV Receiver and AV Processor-Based Dolby Atmos Systems
For purists, a true Dolby Atmos experience can only be achieved through an AV receiver (AVR) or AV processor (AVP) component-based system. This approach will give you the most control because it allows you to choose the number of speakers to employ and lets you position each speaker exactly where you want. A Dolby Atmos AVR or AVP can decode the soundtrack of this format to reproduce the original mix as intended by the sound engineer, delivering a more comprehensive image with singular sonic elements spaced around, behind, and above your head. But what is the difference between an AV receiver and an AV processor?
AV Receiver
AV receivers are generally the simplest and most cost-efficient option in this category, ideal for those looking to install their first surround system in a relatively small space. Unlike an AV Processor, an AV receiver is an all-in-one solution with built-in amplification. An average AV receiver will come with connectivity options such as HDMI ports, analogue audio inputs, subwoofer outputs, etc. You simply connect all your audio and video signals from your entertainment equipment, such as a Blu-ray player or console, and it will decode and direct the signals to the appropriate output equipment, such as a loudspeaker or TV. With a receiver, you don’t need to invest in an external amplifier, and your home theater is ready to go as soon as everything is hooked up.
Generally, as you go up in price, a receiver will offer more channels and more advanced functionality. The Denon AVR-X6800H, for example, offers an 11.4 channel system and accommodates three sources, allowing you to play one source in your primary space, and two different sources in other rooms.
However, the downside to AV Receivers is that their built-in amplifiers aren’t always powerful enough to achieve the highest performance out of your speakers, especially speakers that demand lots of driving power. Furthermore, although there are AV receivers that accommodate multiple room speaker systems, the more speakers you add, the more you’re taxing the amplifier. And it may turn out to be that the amplifier built-into the receiver just can’t provide enough juice to get the best sound out of your speaker equipment. For this reason, amongst others (which we will discuss below), many home theater enthusiasts opt for AV processors.
AV Processor
AV processors are designed to deliver a higher level of audio quality by separating audio and video processing from amplification. An AV processor not only lets you switch between signal sources but also decodes all the various audio formats and processes the signal before passing it through to the amplifier. The result is less noise interference, better sound resolution and more control over your home’s entire sound system. AV processors also tend to offer more channels than do average AV receivers. And considering that you can pair a processor with a substantially powerful external amplifier, you would potentially be able to drive the most elaborate and demanding home theater system imaginable. Certainly, if you’re planning on installing multiple setups around the house, an AV processor is typically essential.
All that said, for many, these types of systems tend to be expensive and challenging to install. Furthermore, many folks simply don’t have a room big enough to accommodate such advanced speaker setups. For this reason, Dolby Atmos soundbar systems have been the most popular way to upgrade to Dolby Atmos technology.
Soundbar-Based Dolby Atmos Systems
True Dolby Atmos vs. Virtual Dolby Atmos
When choosing your soundbar, you’ll want to consider whether it offers “true” Dolby Atmos or virtual Dolby Atmos. The most realistic Dolby Atmos soundbars, like the Sonos Arc, will have upward facing drivers that reflect sound off your ceiling to create an overhead effect. But less expensive soundbars, like the Sonos Beam Gen 2, don’t have all the physical drivers to achieve a real Dolby Atmos experience, instead using a processing method to create a virtual Dolby Atmos effect. So, while virtual Dolby Atmos soundbars will certainly elevate your sound experience by creating somewhat of holographic feel, to get a more authentic Dolby Atmos sound, you’re better off with a soundbar that has upward firing speakers.
Soundbar-Based Wireless Speaker Systems
If you want to get a more advanced soundbar-based Dolby Atmos system, then consider getting an entire Dolby Atmos wireless setup with the soundbar as the centerpiece. The Samsung HW-Q-990D offers an 11.1.4 channel arrangement made up of a soundbar, a subwoofer and rear speakers. It features 11 front-firing drivers, four up-firing drivers and up and side-firing drivers from the rear speakers.
There are, of course, more affordable soundbar-based systems, such as the LG S80TR 580W, which offers a 5.1.3 channel configuration. The soundbar has front-firing and up-firing left and right speakers, as well as both front-firing and up-firing center speakers. In addition, you’ll get a wireless subwoofer and a pair of wireless rear speakers to complete the spatial audio effect.
That said, if you’re on a tight budget, you might opt for a simple soundbar and a subwoofer pair, which is a common and cost-effective alternative for upgrading from one’s default TV speakers.
What Else Affects Sound Quality?
Lossy vs. Lossless Compression
Conventional streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon, use compression to store and deliver files to save space on their servers. Unfortunately, with these types of compressed files, some sound purity is lost. However, there is a lossless compression technology that can compress a file and then unpack it without losing any of the file’s original information. In fact, Dolby offers lossless compression through its Dolby TrueHD technology.
With Dolby TrueHD, what you hear is bit-for-bit identical to the master recording. But again, the problem is that conventional streaming services don’t offer Dolby TrueHD. The best Netflix can deliver is Dolby Digital Plus, which is available on a lot of its content. And while Dolby Digital Plus supports Dolby Atmos, the problem remains; Dolby Digital Plus is still a lossy codec.
So, how do you access Dolby TrueHD? In short, you need a Blu-ray player or hi-res media server (which can be pricey). Even old Blu-ray players support Dolby TrueHD. However, if you want to add Dolby Atmos object-based sound on top of Dolby TrueHD, you will need to invest in a newer Blu-ray player, as well Blu-ray discs that are equipped with the Dolby Atmos codec.
And, of course, whether you’re using separate components or a soundbar system, you’ll want to ensure that it can decode the Dolby TrueHD codec. In addition, those who are loyal to Dolby TrueHD will often rip entire libraries Blu-ray discs and store them on servers, such as Plex, that support passthrough of Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos audio streams. (But that’s an article for another day.)
A Quick Word on Dolby Atmos Speaker Placement
Although surround speaker placement warrants its own article, let’s briefly touch on Dolby Atmos speaker layouts, especially with respect to overhead sound; this may give you a clearer picture of what’s actually happening in a Dolby Atmos speaker arrangement. As explained in our introductory article, Dolby Atmos speaker layouts build upon the traditional 5.1 and 7.1 setups for surround sound by adding ceiling speakers or up-firing speakers that reflect sound off the ceiling. And as already mentioned, up-firing speakers will often be integrated into the soundbar if you’re using a soundbar system. Of course, real ceiling speakers are preferable as they give a more authentic overhead effect. And especially if you have very tall ceilings, reflective speakers may not work as intended. But in the real world, this kind of ceiling installment is not always possible or practical, especially if you’re going with a soundbar-based system. All that said, expanding on the 5.1 and 7.1 arrangements, your Dolby Atmos system will generally use one of the following setups:
- A 5.1.2 or 7.1.2 system uses two ceiling speakers, or two up-firing speakers.
- A 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 system uses four ceiling speakers, or four up-firing speakers.
- A 9.1.2 system adds a pair of front wide speakers to a 7.1.2 setup.
The diagram below shows an authentic 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system, which is one of the simplest and most common Atmos setups. As you can see, you have a front center speaker as well as a front left and front right speaker. The surround speakers are ideally positioned to the left and right of your sitting position with the distance between them matching that of the front left and right speakers. Alternatively, if you’re limited in terms of space, you can mount the surround speakers behind you and angle them towards your sitting position. That arrangement represents the “5” in 5.1.2 setups.
Then you have the subwoofer, which is represented by the “1” in 5.1.2.
And finally, you have the two overhead speakers, which are represented by the “2” in the 5.1.2.
As you can see, there are a number decisions to make before investing in a Dolby Atmos system. If you’re an uncompromising audiophile and you have sufficient space at home, an AV receiver or AV processor component-based system is the best way to get the true-blue Dolby Atmos experience. However, if you’re a little more limited in terms of room and budget, a soundbar Dolby Atmos system (in all its various forms) can be a satisfying alternative. Finally, think about how far you want to go in terms of sound resolution by considering Dolby TrueHD and what the technology requires. But with respect to how advanced your setup becomes, don’t stress too much about falling short. At the end of the day, even the smallest investment in Dolby Atmos technology can significantly enhance your home theater experience.
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