Dolby Atmos Music is a technology by Dolby that aims to bring more depth to the sound. By placing audio signals in multiple spots in the room, this format creates a dome of sound around the user. Instead of pumping sound from speakers to create flat signals, it offers a 3D experience. However, you cannot stream Dolby Atmos Music from any app or service. There is only a handful of streaming apps that support this sound format. On top of that, the devices connected must support Atmos as well. Let’s look at everything you need to know about Dolby Atmos Music.
What is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that allows you to hear sounds coming from different angles and intensities. This creates an immersive experience for those listening to this audio format. In other words, you can feel as if you are inside the movie when watching Atmos-enabled content. The sound seems realistic and provides an enveloping effect to give you the closest cinematic feel. From low-frequency bass to high-pitched signals, the sound format distinguishes every signal as if it’s related to particular objects. Making the best use of the sound systems, the technology reproduces sounds as they would sound in the real world.
What is Dolby Atmos Music?
Music as an addition to Dolby Atmos is just as you would expect. Dolby Atmos Music allows the same immersive experience with songs as you would experience when watching an Atmos-enabled video. Placing every sound signal precisely, the technology provides dimension to the overall signals. So, the beats feel more real, as if it’s happening around you. Think of sitting in a concert where you can connect with the different instruments while not missing the sync between them. It becomes easier to connect with the artists’ emotions when listening to Dolby Atmos Music. Bringing unparalleled clarity, you can easily comprehend the complex harmony out of the multiple instruments playing together. Or, enjoy the notes from the soulful guitar with a solo performance. Simply put, Dolby Atmos combined with music becomes capable of unleashing even the minutest details with utmost clarity.
How Does Dolby Atmos Music Work?
Atmos, unlike the regular surround sound formats that use different channels to send audio signals, Dolby Atmos uses object-based technology. What started as a part of the cinematic experience is now available with home theater devices. Expectedly, you will feel the difference between the two setups. The latest hardware still manages to enhance the sound effects exponentially when compared to the standard stereo systems. To experience true Dolby Atmos music, you must utilize the overhead speakers installed in the ceiling to add extra channels. This creates a much more enveloping effect. However, there are many different Bluetooth headphones that also support Dolby Atmos music. But, naturally, it’s not going to sound nearly as good as a traditional sound system. On the technical side, the Atmos sound format gives way to a completely new calibration. It offers sound engineers a way to place the sound signals precisely at distinguished spaces inside the room. As a result, sounds do not just pump via the selected audio channels. On the contrary, it travels from one speaker to another and is released from different angles. That said, you can feel the movement of the airplane whirling around the house.
How to Listen to Dolby Atmos Music?
For starters, it is imperative to find Dolby Atmos music to be able to experience this technology in the first place. Thankfully, a handful of streaming services host a large database of Atmos-supported content.
Apple Music
According to Apple, spatial sound could add more depth to the overall audio experience, offering a three-dimensional effect. That said, you can find a number of tracks supporting Spatial Audio on Apple Music. Therefore, if you want to play Dolby Atmos Music, you can always turn back to this streaming app. The app already has thousands of Atmos soundtrack choices for customers. However, new collections appear every now and then. Thus, this makes the Apple Music playlist as extensive as possible. What’s fascinating is that to hear Spatial Audio on Apple Music, users do not need to invest any extra cost apart from the usual subscription. Just make sure to use the compatible Apple devices supporting Atmos to enjoy this service.
Tidal
There is no doubt about the popularity Tidal enjoys because of its amazing streaming platform. The simple navigation and easy-to-access favorite files make Tidal one of the best choices around. And, if you too are a fan of this streaming app, you will be happy to hear that Tidal supports Atmos Music. However, you must subscribe to its Tidal Masters plan that includes support for 360 Reality Audio along with Dolby Atmos Music. Thus, users can immerse themselves in the wonderful and unparallel 3D music experience. With its cool technology, the streaming service enables sound engineers to place audio signals in a variety of spots for an enveloping dome experience. This is definitely something that couldn’t be achieved using a two stereo system or even the usual surround sound codecs.
Devices Needed for Listening to Dolby Music
Whichever streaming service you use, it will always matter that the devices connected support this audio format. Therefore, let’s go through some of the common devices and hardware that come into play when listening to Dolby Atmos Music.
Smartphones
The days when phones only answered calls are long gone. Today, smartphones can handle a lot of tasks, including the streaming of Dolby Atmos music. Some of the popular brands already are designing mobiles with inbuilt speakers supporting surround sound. For instance, Apple’s iPhone 11 series come with Dolby Atmos support. Companies like OnePlus, Sony, Samsung, and a few others aren’t behind as well. Smartphones such as the OnePlus 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S10, and Sony Xperia 1 can take you through the 360-degree music immersive experience.
Headphones
The Dolby Atmos technology is growing exponentially, and it is definitely possible to listen to surround sound effects on a cheaper and smaller setup. Therefore, you can use your Bluetooth or wireless headphones. However, the experience won’t be anywhere close to what you can create by adding Atmos-enabled speakers to your setup.
TV
If you plan to browse your streaming service using a TV, it’s crucial that you verify whether it supports the surround sound signals or not. If it does, make sure that the soundbars or other audio systems connected to your TV are Atmos compatible too. To support the Dolby Music streaming apps, you may also need streaming devices. Some of the most common ones are:
Apple TV 4K. Just make sure that the firmware is updated to tvOS 13 or later.
If you prefer Fire TV, it must be the 4K model or Generation 3 from 2017. The Fire TV Cube from the 1st and 2nd generations are also compatible with Dolby Atmos music.
Nvidia Shield TV as well as Shield TV Pro released in 2019 and later.
