Just over a year ago, I started experimenting with ways to extend my Dolby Atmos surround sound system beyond the 7.1.4 limitations of current consumer hardware. My relentless pursuit of getting the most out of Atmos at home has recently prompted me to make additional updates. These days my home theater is so incredibly complex that I actually have to use three A/V receivers at the same time to manage all my speakers.
For most home theater systems, 7.1.4 audio channels should be sufficient. While the Atmos format (like its competitor, DTS:X) can support additional speakers, there is little demand from consumers or pressure from manufacturers to do so. Currently only luxury items like $37,000Altura Trinnow 32decodes more than 11 channels simultaneously.
However, for some of us, being limited to four height channels is not enough to fill the upper part of the room with sound. My own home theater is a long room with plenty of space behind my seats. This, coupled with the low ceiling, makes it difficult for the four speakers (two in the front and two in the rear) to reproduce sound convincingly above my head. This problem is compounded by the fact that the places I installed the speakers when building my home theater (before I considered immersive sound) weren't ideal for the Atmos. These speakers are now attached to the walls and ceiling and I can't move them without changing the decor of the room. This is not an option.
The best solution is to place the additional speakers in the middle between the other height channels (Top Middle position). Unfortunately, the starting price of the Trinnov processor is well above my budget. I had to find a way to improvise a similar effect at a fraction of the cost.
(Video) Dolby Atmos Beyond 7.1.4 - Now What?
first try
UEwrote an article last yearI explained how I put together a complicated system (jokingly named "Zatmos"), using a second A/V receiver to route extra channels to my ceiling. I recommend reading this article to understand the basic concept of how something like this is possible.
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Even then, I wasn't the only one experiencing this, and I knew my Zatmos system wasn't as perfect as I'd like it to be.On the AVS forum, a member named Scott Simonian went even further to use a totaldry A/V amplifiersin unison to create a 7.1.6 setup (affectionately known as "Scatmos"), which is more accurate to the intentions of the original Dolby Atmos sound mixers.
For a while I decided not to go that far. The complexity of installing, connecting and configuring the three A/V receivers seemed overwhelming. I felt the results I got with the Zatmos were good enough to get me there for the most part, and I had a certain amount of selfish pride in figuring out a way to do it with just one extra receiver instead of two.
However, in recent months my attitude has changed and I have become less happy with the Zatmos setup. I finally knew that if I was going to do this, I had to do it right.
(Video) Brand New 770W LG Soundbar 7.1.4 with Dolby Atmos and DTS X - LG SoundBar SN11RG REVIEW
Go Full Scatmos
The silly nicknames Zatmos and Scatmos can be grouped more formally under the heading "Dolby Atmos Extended". I want to clarify here that I did not develop the Scatmos process. Credit for this goes to Scott Simonian and others at the AVSForum who helped him solve it. With his permission, I'm just trying to explain here.
Because, while they are ridiculously complicated to install, one of the advantages of these experiments is that they can be put together relatively cheaply. While the main A/V receiver should be a Dolby Atmos (or DTS:X) model capable of decoding 7.1.4-channel audio of an immersive Blu-ray or UHD soundtrack, additional receivers are not as elegant. Any receiver that has at least Dolby ProLogic II processing will do. (If you are using multiple sub receivers, I recommend that they be identical.)
With a little patience, checking the for sale ads on my local Craigslist, I was able to pick up a pair of used Marantz SR4400s for less than $100 each. This is the basic (or almost so) Dolby Digital/DTS model from 2003. It's so simple that it doesn't even have an on-screen menu system. I need to configure it with front panel display only. The receiver doesn't have HDMI and can't process lossless Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio signals, but you don't have to. All you need is a pair of stereo analog inputs (which every receiver will have) and a ProLogic II.
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The simple act of finding room for another A/V receiver in my system turned out to be much more difficult than I would have liked. Since there wasn't enough space on my main hardware shelf, I had to remove all my components, take apart the shelf, rearrange the levels, put most of the hardware back in, and reconnect it. Then I had to do the same with the second shelf to add a level. My Blu-ray and HD DVD players that used to be on the main shelf have been moved to the second so I can keep all my audio gear together where the speaker cable would go. That in itself was a huge pain.
(Video) 4K home theater trip! 7.1.4 ATMOS PLEX MEETING!
Done, here's the basic idea of Scatmos: You want to mount six ceiling speakers - in the front, middle and rear top positions. (The sketch below is not my personal speaker setup, but I drew it this way to show how it's done.there is musicdone.) Your main A/V receiver is set to decode up to 7.1.4 channels, configured as Front Ceiling and Rear Ceiling.
All four height channels must be routed to the AVR's main analog preamp jacks. Do not connect any speaker wires to these channels on the main AVR. For all height channels, only the speaker cable is connected to the additional AVRs.
The preamp outputs for the top front left and top rear left channels go to the stereo left and right inputs of the AVR 2.
(Video) Trinnov Altitude Processors: Breaking the Space Barrier 7.1.4
The preamp outputs for the top right front and top right rear channels lead to the left and right stereo inputs (as opposed to the AVR 2) on the AVR 3.
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If it looks messy, trying to keep it straight while plugging in cables and wires can be really daunting. I recommend drawing a graph that shows what should go where.
If working properly, each of the secondary downstream AVRs should take a stereo signal consisting of the front and rear channels and combine them into a center channel matrix using all the mono information common to both (much like the ProLogic II uses the center channel to be extracted for dialogue in under normal conditions in your room between the left and right speakers). So you get six channels of height information from the four originals.
(Video) My 7.1.4 2021 Home Theater System and Audiophile Stereo System!
This is theory, stripped down to its most basic elements. In order for it to work properly once connected, there are a few additional difficulty settings, which I will cover in Part 2 shortly.
Read part 2
1. Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 na Amazon|Raalmak
2. 747 DOLBY ATMOS DEMONSTRATION 7.1.4
3. Demonstration of the Dolby Atmos object on 7.1.4 speakers - 360 surround sound
4. Top 5 Dolby Atmos movie scenes to test your system
5. Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4ch. 600W Dolby Atmos Soundbar with 8 wireless subwoofers
6. New Heights at My Atmos Studio (thanks to Billie)
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FAQs
Which is better Dolby 7.1 or 4k Atmos? ›
Expert-Verified Answer. The sound is deeper and more precise with Dolby Atmos than with conventional Surround 7.1 systems due to the addition of overhead sound and superior calibration software. Developed by Dolby Laboratories, Dolby Atmos is a surround sound system.
Is Dolby Atmos on Apple music good? ›For movies and TV shows, it is absolutely superb. Whenever I use my AirPods Pro or AirPods Max in conjunction with my Apple TV, the head tracking and completely un-headphone-like sound reproduction never fail to amaze me.
What is the difference between 7.1 and 9.1 Atmos? ›A 7.1 system adds left and right rear surround speakers. A 9.1-channel system adds front height speakers to take advantage of Dolby Pro Logic® IIz, which derives height information from the signal. Dolby Atmos layouts add height speakers to the traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound setups.
What is Dolby Atmos in earbuds? ›Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology created by Dolby Laboratories. It uses software to simulate having multiple audio sources, thus giving you a realistic, three-dimensional audio experience.
What is higher than Dolby Atmos? ›The higher the bit rate, the better. You'd think that Dolby Atmos, being the more widely known brand name, would be the one with the higher bit rate. However, it's DTS:X has the higher bit rate. Dolby Atmos delivers a slower bit rate.
Which Dolby Atmos mode is best? ›Dolby Atmos - use Music mode at all times
Auto sometimes made my music / movies sound honky, with a slight bump in the mids. Movie and Voice modes have a weird mid scoop, which makes audio sound a bit "hollow" to me. Music seemed to be the best out of the bunch — and for every type of media, too.
How can I see if a song is available in Dolby Atmos? Play the song, then check for the Dolby Atmos badge in Now Playing. If every song on an album is available in Dolby Atmos, you'll see the Dolby Atmos badge on the album's detail page. Some songs are available in Dolby Atmos only on a particular version of an album.
Why does Dolby Atmos sound muffled? ›With Dolby Atmos Music, however, this is also the case although it shouldn't be. The sound gets is filtered to add the threedimensional effect, making the singer sound further away than he or she actually is. That's exactly what you can read in many comments: The vocals sound somehow muffled and far away.
What's better lossless or Dolby Atmos? ›Dolby Atmos is a 3D surround sound technology, while lossless means that track was compressed without any data loss - tracks have higher bitrate, so they should sound better on supported devices than standard AAC, MP3 or any other tracks with lossy compression I guess.
Is Dolby Atmos the highest quality? ›Both DTS and Dolby Atmos are top of the line sound systems that are made to get the most out of your home theater with surround sound. DTS does offer a higher sound bitrate, but the two are identical.
Is Dolby Atmos worth the upgrade? ›
Getting the best audio with Dolby Atmos
It's worth investing in if you plan on setting up a home theater or want to take your entertainment to the next level. Whether you're watching movies, playing video games, listening to music or recording, upgrading to Dolby Atmos can elevate your audio experience.
While two Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, modules, or overhead speakers will deliver a compelling experience, we recommend using four if possible. This will deliver more precisely located and realistic overhead sounds.
Why would I want Dolby Atmos? ›The benefit of Dolby Atmos in a home theater is its versatility. Dolby Atmos can be played back on virtually any speaker configuration—it maxes out at 34 speakers though. Again, the more speakers you have, the more precise each audio object's placement.
Should you listen to music in Dolby Atmos? ›With Dolby Atmos Music, the experience is better. Artists can create soundscapes that are much more seamless and compelling. They can precisely place sound “objects” in your listening space and engage your imagination by moving the objects around. Immersive music is now more affordable, too.
Do I need special headphones for Dolby Atmos? ›Dolby Atmos for Headphones will work with any headphones, since the software still outputs to just two channels to simulate sound from all directions.
What is the maximum Dolby Atmos? ›The first-generation cinema hardware, the "Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor", supports up to 128 discrete audio tracks and up to 64 unique speaker feeds. The technology was initially created for commercial cinema applications, and was later adapted to home cinema.
What competes with Dolby Atmos? ›Dolby Laboratories's competitors and similar companies include IMAX, Ballantyne Strong, DTS, Analog Devices, Xperi and Cirrus Logic. Dolby Laboratories is a company specializing in audio noise reduction and audio encoding/compression.
How can I make my Dolby Atmos sound better? ›To get the best Atmos experience with your TV, you should send the audio output to a soundbar or AV receiver. For this, you will need an HDMI ARC connection and Dolby Digital Plus audio support.
What is the difference between true Dolby Atmos and Dolby Atmos? ›Dolby TrueHD is a lossless audio codec with support for up to 7.1 audio channels and is used with Blu-ray Discs. No major streaming platforms use it. Dolby Atmos is a 3D surround sound technology that allows sounds to be placed anywhere in a 3D environment.
Can you tell the difference with Dolby Atmos? ›How does Atmos compare to surround sound? The biggest difference between Dolby Atmos and traditional surround sound is the use of channels. Audio over conventional surround sound is mostly referred to as 5.1 (five speakers, one subwoofer) or 7.1 (seven speakers, one subwoofer) channels.
Does Dolby Atmos make music quieter? ›
Like, it's a night/day difference in terms of max volume compared to standard. As soon as I enable Atmos, songs get so much quieter. Switch it off, and you can hear “real” full volume again. is a perfect example of this.
How do you know if you're actually getting Dolby Atmos sound? ›The one surefire way to confirm Dolby Atmos is working is to check the information panel on the front of your AV receiver or your soundbar (if it has one, or perhaps an on-screen display). It should display the kind of audio signal it's currently working with.
Is Spatial Audio better than Dolby Atmos? ›In a nutshell, Dolby Atmos creates the effect of watching a movie at a cinema or listening to music at a live concert — the sound comes from all around you (center, left, right, above and behind) — and Spatial Audio adds another layer that makes you feel like you're in movie or moving around at the concert.
Does speakers matter for Dolby Atmos? ›Most conventional overhead speakers with wide dispersion characteristics will work in a Dolby Atmos home theater. Dolby Atmos audio is mixed using discrete, full-range audio objects that may move around anywhere in three-dimensional space.
Is Dolby Atmos lossless audio? ›Dolby Atmos averages around 6,000 kbps when a 48kHz sampling rate is used. But Atmos can be encoded losslessly at up to 24-bit/192kHz, which results in bit rates that can soar as high as 18,000 kbps.
Is there a big difference between Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos? ›The difference between the two systems is that the Dolby Digital Plus allows speakers to be placed vertically and horizontally. On the other hand, Dolby Atmos only supports the horizontal placement of speakers. The setup of Dolby Digital Plus usually ranges from 2.0 to 7.1 channels.
Do Netflix movies have Dolby Atmos? ›For $20 a month, not only does Netflix's Premium plan unlock Dolby Atmos sound (for available titles), but you also get access to a huge library of Netflix UHD movies and shows on up to four screens at once.
Why does Apple music sound better? ›Apple Music uses the company's own Apple Lossless Audio Codec for streaming. Every available track is at least Lossless, which is what the service calls files ripped at 16-bit/44.1 kHz. That's CD quality. They also offer Hi-Res Lossless, encoded at better-than-CD rates (up to 24-bit/192 kHz).
Which is better DTS or Dolby? ›Which is better: DTS or Dolby Digital? Based on the specs alone, DTS beats its rival with higher bit-rates that promise a more realistic movie experience. That said, other factors such as signal-to-noise ratio and speaker calibration mean that plenty of audiophiles would rate Dolby above DTS.
What is the highest Dolby sound quality? ›Dolby TrueHD
True to the artist's vision, Dolby True HD delivers the best sound possible for movies, music, and TV shows with lossless audio.
What height should Atmos speakers be? ›
Ideally, all speakers should be at the same height; Dolby recommends 3.9 feet, which is about ear level for the seated listener. If it's impractical to place rear speakers at the same height as the front speakers, rear speakers may be placed higher, up to 1.25 times the front-speaker height.
Is Dolby Atmos a one time purchase? ›You can also activate Dolby Atmos for Headphones with a one-time purchase in the Dolby Access app, or purchase select partner headsets that include Dolby Atmos for Headphones activation.
Does Dolby Atmos drain data? ›If you're listening to a 3-minute song, the data needs will differ according to the compression technique used, as follows: High-efficiency sound format – 1.5 MB. The high-quality sound format at 256 kbps – 6 MB. The lossless sound format at 24-bit/48 kHz – 36 MB.
Which Netflix Dolby Atmos? ›The Right Subscription Plan
Netflix hosts a few different subscription plans for its users. You'll need the Premium subscription plan which gives you access to Dolby Atmos and Ultra HD (4K) content.
In most standard Dolby Atmos setups, listener level is set at 3.9 feet, or 1.2 meters. For some users, space constraints prevent the rear and front speakers from being placed at the same height.
Which is better Dolby 7.2 or Atmos? ›The Dolby Atmos system offers a superior and highly realistic sound experience. With the old channels, sound can only be heard from predetermined locations defined by the speaker setup, not how you would hear it in real life.
Does Dolby Atmos affect sound quality? ›Whether you're gaming, watching your favorite movie or show, or listening to that new track on repeat, Dolby Atmos transports you into a spatial sound experience that draws you in deeper, so you hear more and feel more.
Is Dolby Atmos worth it with just a soundbar? ›Yes, Atmos Soundbars are worth the higher price because they give you a more immersive and three-dimensional sound compared to regular soundbars. Thanks to the innovations of object-based sound and vertical audio, you don't just hear sounds from around you but also from above, making the experience more life-like.
How to get Dolby Atmos for free? ›You can also use Dolby Atmos for Home Theater for free. To connect your soundbar or home theater with Dolby Atmos support, go to the Products page in the Dolby Access app. Select the Dolby Atmos for home theater option and click on Setup.
Does Bluetooth support Dolby Atmos? ›Dolby Atmos content is not delivered through optical connections or through wireless connections of Bluetooth, AirPlay, or Chromecast. Most video streaming services that offer Dolby Atmos content use the Dolby Digital Plus codec.
Do AirPods support Dolby Atmos? ›
Using the supported AirPods models, you can listen to Dolby Atmos music in Spatial Audio. You can also enable dynamic head tracking. Pair your AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or AirPods (3rd generation) with an Atmos-supported iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV to enjoy the immersive sound experience.
Is Dolby 7.1 better? ›Better sound for all seats
Dolby Surround 7.1 increases the impact of surround sound by adding two audio channels. In the process, it improves the spatial dimension of movie audio and enhances overall audio definition for movie soundtracks.
7.1 Surround Sound Pros and Cons
A 7.1 system is a great choice for larger rooms where sound may get lost in the space. It provides a deeper surround sound listening experience. Theater quality media designed for a 7.1 system will come through clearer than it would on a 5.1 system.
Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories. It expands on existing surround sound systems by adding height channels, allowing sounds to be interpreted as three-dimensional objects with neither horizontal nor vertical limitation.
Do you need HDMI 2.1 for Dolby Atmos? ›You're in luck — all you need is a single HDMI cable to connect your TV and soundbar enabled with Dolby Atmos (HDMI 2.0 for ARC should do the trick while HDMI 2.1 is necessary for eARC setups). This is the simplest option and will send audio directly from your TV to your soundbar.
Is Dolby Atmos the best sound? ›Dolby Atmos is an improvement on what came before and a leap forward from surround sound. It's ultimately designed to put you in the center of it all when watching movies or listening to music to give you the most immersive sound possible.
Does Dolby Atmos improve sound quality? ›Dolby Atmos really makes a difference as it brings a higher sound quality and makes it seem like the sound is coming from all directions. It is the benchmark for theaters, so it makes a huge difference to your home setup.
What is the maximum speakers for Dolby Atmos? ›Figure 10: A traditional 5.1 speaker layout with two Dolby Atmos enabled speakers (5.1. 2). In addition to the typical configurations in the previous section, Dolby Atmos can support more speaker positions, up to a maximum of 34 total (for example, 24.1.
How many speakers are required for Dolby Atmos? ›While two Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, modules, or overhead speakers will deliver a compelling experience, we recommend using four if possible. This will deliver more precisely located and realistic overhead sounds.
Is Dolby Atmos 7.1 or Dolby Atmos? ›Dolby Atmos takes Dolby's traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound setups a step further by adding a third, overhead dimension. You're no longer constrained to a stereo system or standard six- or seven-channel arrangement.
Is there anything better than 7.1 surround sound? ›
An expensive 5.1 surround system will likely beat a cheap 7.1 system when it comes to sound quality. Secondly, you need to factor in the size of your room.
What size room is best for 7.1 surround sound? ›For medium sized rooms, we recommend a (7.1. 4+) THX Certified Select System which covers spaces up to 2,000 cubic feet in size, with a ~10 foot viewing distance from the screen.
What size room is good for 7.1 surround sound? ›How big is your room? If it's larger than around 350 square feet, consider a 7.1 speaker setup. If it's smaller, a 5.1 may be more appropriate.
Do all 4K players support Atmos? ›As long as the Blu-ray player supports Dolby TrueHD and bitstream audio, it can output Dolby Atmos audio. The soundbar or AV receiver and the Blu-ray disc must also be Dolby Atmos-enabled. If the Blue-ray disc is not Dolby-compatible, it might support DTS, a good alternative.
Is HBO Max 4K Atmos? ›For $9.99, you'll get two concurrent ad-supported streams at HD quality. For $15.99, you'll lose the ads and be allowed to download up to 30 pieces of content at a time, but you'll no longer get access to 4K. Finally, for $19.99, you'll get 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos, four concurrent streams, and up to 100 downloads.
Does Netflix support Dolby Atmos? ›You can watch Netflix in Dolby Atmos audio on select TV shows and movies. You need: A Netflix plan that supports streaming in Ultra HD. A Netflix-capable device that can play Dolby Atmos.