Dolby Atmos for home cinema
Home cinemas have long been an aspirational addition to properties. From cinephiles and those working in the film industry to those who simply want to enjoy the best of the commercial experience at home, countless individuals have dreamed of their own dedicated cinema room.
Now, these spaces are becoming more accessible than ever. With the advent of ultra short-throw projectors for home entertainment and advances in audio technology, more households were able to enjoy an experience that was previously only available to the very wealthy.
Then in 2012, Dolby changed the scope of cinema audio with the introduction of Dolby Atmos. First used in Pixar’s motion picture Brave, it added overhead sound to the traditional surround sound setup, creating a more immersive and accurate soundscape. Initially developed for cinema, it later became available for home use, and can even be experienced through headphones and smartphones.
Here, we outline the features of Dolby Atmos and explore how it can elevate your home cinema experience.
Understanding Dolby Atmos technology
Dolby Atmos broke new ground when it was introduced, creating a three-dimensional audio experience that went beyond traditional 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Previously, elements of a soundtrack were assigned to specific channels based on their direction, and delivered within a horizontal field that was aimed towards the listener.
Dolby Atmos added a vertical dimension by incorporating height channels, which enabled listeners to perceive sounds as coming from above. On a more technical level, the technology uses metadata (extra information about the soundtrack) to control which speakers reproduce specific sounds. This means that sound designers can now place individual audio ‘objects’ anywhere within a virtual space, giving more clarity around where sound originates.
The result is a much more immersive experience, with sounds coming not just from the sides and behind, but also overhead and from more specific locations. Audio objects can be moved dynamically, so that, for example, someone watching an action film can pinpoint the sound of an explosion or follow the path of a plane in flight. An unparalleled range of movement and depth opened up, recreating cinematic sound in a way that corresponds more faithfully to the way our ears experience it in real life.
Components of a Dolby Atmos home cinema system
Following its cinematic debut in 2012, Dolby Atmos quickly became available for home cinemas. Indeed, in recent years a Dolby Atmos home cinema has become the norm, with most customers choosing to enhance their viewing experience with 3D surround sound technology. Let’s take a look at the components of a Dolby Atmos home cinema system.
- Atmos-enabled speakers and configurations
Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers are key to the immersive experience, directing sound upwards to reflect off the ceiling. This is what produces the impressive overhead sound quality. There are two types of Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers: integrated units that include forward-directional speakers, and add-on modules that contain only the upward-directional elements. Two speakers are recommended for a compelling experience, but four is optimal for better precision and realism. You can add these to an existing 5.1 or 7.1 setup to create the overhead element of your soundscape.
- Soundbars
Alternatively, a Dolby-enabled soundbar can be used, which includes upward-firing speakers. These work well in a media room or small home cinema, being compact yet highly effective at achieving an immersive experience. The Sonos Arc, for example, features 11 speakers and two dedicated height channels to fire sound in all directions, while the Samsung HW creates a similar soundscape to a 5.1.4 speaker setup, with four height channels and separate speaker boxes for that sense of cinematic immersion.
- Ceiling speakers
A third option is to use ceiling speakers to create the vertical dimension of sound to your Dolby Atmos immersive sound system. These are activated when audio is encoded to fire above the listener and are a great option if you prefer your sound system to be discreet or entirely hidden. When used for height channels in Dolby Atmos, they create depth and dimensionality, delivering a realistic soundscape while optimising audio distribution throughout the space.
Using a professional to set up Dolby Atmos in your home
The quality of your sound can make or break the home cinema experience, so it’s crucial to get your speaker configuration and placement right. The placement of your speakers will depend on whether you are installing a 5.1, 7.1 or 9.1 system. Whichever you choose, you will need to determine the central seating point of your space and angle the speakers towards it. As a general rule, they will need to be at ear height when you are seated.
5.1 speaker setup
We’ll use a 5.1 setup as an example of what you need to do. In this configuration, your left and right speakers should be placed in front of the central seating point at a 22-30° angle, while the central speaker should be directly in front, below the screen. The subwoofer should be in front, positioned between the left or right speaker and the central speaker. The rear speakers should be placed to the left and right at an angle of 110-120° from the seating point.
For the fully immersive Dolby Atmos experience, Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers or modules, or ceiling speakers, should be added. An optimal setup includes four speakers, with two positioned on the left and right, between the central seating point and the front left and right speakers. The rearmost overhead speakers should be positioned behind the rear right and left speakers.
HDMI port requirements
Your Dolby Atmos home theatre audio setup will require an HDMI port that supports HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel). For the best possible quality, however, we recommend HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), as this allows for the transmission of higher quality audio. Most modern TVs will have these capabilities on at least one HDMI port, but be sure to check with your supplier before purchasing.
Discrete or virtual?
If you are upgrading an existing system to Dolby Atmos, you may not want to add extra speakers into your ceiling. If you’re using discrete channels, there’s a direct source of sound for each channel, ideally with one speaker for each channel. You can instead upgrade your speakers to Dolby Atmos-enabled products that bounce sound off the ceiling to give you the height channels required to create the experience.
Alternatively, you can use virtual channels, i.e. digital signal processing (DSP) to create ‘phantom speakers’. This creates the effect of additional surround sound speakers without having physical products in place. Height channels can be virtualised too, negating the need to mount speakers on the ceiling or invest in tower speakers with extra upwards-firing drivers.
Seeking professional help
The setup and calibration of Dolby Atmos immersive sound systems can be complex, particularly if you are having dedicated ceiling speakers installed. Engaging a professional home cinema specialist such as New Wave AV to carry out installation ensures you’ll achieve the best possible audio experience, whether you want to invest in a whole new sound system or simply add the upgrades that will improve your experience. An expert will consider the best products for your needs as well as room acoustics, angles and fine tuning to deliver a truly immersive soundscape that puts you right at the heart of the action.
Choosing the right equipment
Choosing the right equipment for your Dolby Atmos home cinema is key to your enjoyment. As any audiophile knows, the quality of your sound is central to the experience, but it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. The equipment you choose should be tailored to the size of your space, the quality level you desire and your budget. It’s unwise, for example, to invest in a 9.1 sound system when the dimensions of your room are better suited to a 5.1 setup.
Best AV receiver
Several brands offer high-quality, Dolby Atmos-enabled home cinema systems that meet a range of needs. The Sony TA-AN1000 amplifier, for example, is an excellent addition to your setup, which can be configured to a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system and delivers 85W of power per channel. It also has six HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs with eARC. What’s more, it supports a plethora of connectivity standards, from Bluetooth and Chromecast to Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2.
Best Dolby Atmos speakers
Sonos offers a range of high-quality speakers and soundbars that make sure you’re plunged into the heart of the action. The Arc and Beam soundbars are a great place to start, and you can complete your setup with a Sub 4 subwoofer and Era 300 side speakers. Alternatively you can opt for the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad, which works well in a media room and negates the need for a soundbar. For discreet and hidden options, Artcoustic is a go-to brand, delivering exquisite sound quality alongside colour-matched or disguised speaker covers.
Blu-ray and streaming support
Even with a Dolby Atmos-enabled sound system, your content won’t deliver the immersive effect unless it supports the technology. With that in mind, those who have large DVD collections should ensure their content is on a Blu-ray disc (preferably 4K Blu-ray) to access the 3D sound provided by Atmos. A Blu-ray player is also necessary.
Similarly, those streaming content will need services that support Dolby Atmos. Nowadays, that includes many of the leading services such as Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive and higher quality media library, however, Kaleidescape is the ultimate platform, delivering uncompressed 4K streaming with HDR and Dolby Atmos.
Benefits of Dolby Atmos for home cinema
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing surround sound system or investing in a professionally installed home cinema, opting for Dolby Atmos is the smart choice. Here are just some of the benefits:
- Exceptional quality
The audio quality delivered by a Dolby Atmos home cinema is richer and more detailed than traditional surround sound, offering a more nuanced and balanced experience. The soundscape more faithfully reflects what our ears perceive in real life and every audio object, from a whisper to the notes of the score, is crystal clear.
- Immersive sound
By adding vertical channels and using metadata, Dolby Atmos creates a more immersive experience. Audio objects can be more precisely located in three-dimensional space and instructed to move seamlessly between the available speakers, giving you a more realistic perception of the placement and movement of sounds.
- Compatible with headphones
If you’re using your home cinema for gaming, you can enjoy Dolby Atmos through compatible headphones. This enables you to enjoy the fully immersive experience even with only two speakers.
Challenges and considerations
The power of Dolby Atmos has made it a popular choice for those investing in a home theatre. But there’s more to the setup than simply getting the speakers in the right position. While this is a great start, for optimum sound quality a number of additional factors should be considered.
- Room acoustics
Having a premium sound system requires the right acoustics to ensure echoes and reflections are kept to a minimum. There are four main types of acoustic treatment: absorption, diffusion, bass traps and insulation. Absorption and diffusion panels are used to trap and disperse sound waves, while bass traps capture low frequency notes. Insulation helps to prevent sound from travelling through walls and flooring.
Typically, a combination of these treatments are used to create the best possible soundscape. It’s also worth considering the materials and furnishings you use in your space. Carpets are preferable to hard floors such as wood or laminate, and upholstered furniture will help to disperse sound waves.
Bear in mind that if you are using Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers or modules instead of ceiling speakers, the sound will need to bounce off the ceiling to create the desired effect.
- Cabling
When setting up your 3D surround sound technology, you’ll need to consider the cabling. Unless your chosen products are wireless, you may end up with unsightly and even unsafe cabling running over the walls and floor. It’s therefore a good idea to plan ahead and either enlist the help of professional home cinema installers or explore options for hiding cables.
- Budget
It goes without saying that before you begin to purchase equipment, you’ll need to allocate a budget for your Dolby Atmos home cinema. Bear in mind that your speaker system is only a small – albeit important – part of the project. To create the experience of your dreams, you’ll also need to budget for a projector and screen, seating, lighting, decor and content services. Remember that you can still enjoy Dolby Atmos through a soundbar if your budget won’t stretch to a full speaker system.
If you’re simply upgrading your home cinema to include Dolby Atmos, you can simply choose Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers or add modules to your existing speakers, making the addition easier and more cost-effective.
- Content
As mentioned above, to access Dolby Atmos you’ll need to view content that is compatible with it. Discs should be Blu-ray and played on a Blu-ray player, while content accessed via streaming services needs to be Dolby Atmos-enabled to deliver the full experience – and not all is. Most services offer Atmos-enabled options (especially on premium subscriptions) but not all films and TV shows support it. For the best quality, a media library such as Kalaeidescape is the optimal choice, since it offers uncompressed audio and video.
Installing Dolby Atmos
Whether you are considering upgrading your audio system to Dolby Atmos, or you are creating a home cinema room from scratch, it’s clear that this technology offers a much more immersive and realistic experience. Simply by investing in Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers – or modules that are compatible with your existing system – you can enjoy a much more nuanced and faithful soundscape.
While there are several ways to add Dolby Atmos to your home cinema, ceiling speakers offer the best depth and dimensionality while remaining discreet. There are also numerous brands to choose from, with Sonos, Sony and Artcoustic all providing exceptional audio quality.
Dolby Atmos can undoubtedly transform your cinematic experience, putting you in the centre of the action. But for optimal results, your 3D surround sound technology needs to be positioned and calibrated correctly, and accompanied by appropriate acoustic treatments. You will also need to consider cabling, budget and your chosen content services to get the most from the technology.
Dolby Atmos home cinemas in Kent and Surrey
Here at New Wave AV, our professionals have been installing high-quality home cinemas since 2003. Our state-of-the-art showrooms in Kent and Surrey feature a Dolby Atmos home cinema demonstration room, designed to show you what can be achieved with this cutting-edge technology. You can discover the full cinematic experience before investing in it for your home, and our experts will position and calibrate your speakers for flawless sound quality. Book a consultation at our Tonbridge or Windlesham showroom today.
Sources:
https://www.dolby.com/about/support/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/dolby-atmos-sound/#dt-heading-part-2-channels-speakers-and-gear-galore
