Get ready to upgrade your receiver and speakers, Dolby Atmos For Your Home Is Finally Here!
Cinemas across the country are constantly upgrading to enhance the experience and to keep you coming back. Over the years we have seen a lot of changes. Gone are the days of film and lamp projectors. Today you have super bright and high resolution digital images and sound that envelopes you in true 3-D. True 3-D Audio? Yes, it's called Dolby Atmos and it has been around for a couple of years in select cinemas, but is now available for your home!
So what is Dolby Atmos? Dolby Atmos in a simple definition adds height (or ambiance above you) to the mix. Recording engineers call it the "God Mix". Instead of a simple left to right or front to rear effect like you experience in 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound today, Dolby Atmos engineers mix a sonic image that can be manipulated to move up or down, left to right and front to rear. There will be several different ways to achieve this effect.
You will need a Dolby Atmos approved Receiver or Processor/Amplifiers with a Bluray Player or Streaming Device that can support the Dolby Atmos digital audio streams. Then you will need the correct audio speakers or speaker locations. Confusing? Let me explain:
Dolby Atmos "Overhead" 7.1.4 System
1. The Overhead Speaker Setup
Typical "In-Ceiling" Speaker
This system configuration uses your existing speakers and adds 2 or 4 overhead speakers. This will probably be the most used and cost effective approach for a typical home theater or multipurpose room. Standard "In-Ceiling" speakers are your best option and a favorite with interior designers.
Dolby Atmos "Reflected" 7.1.4 System
2. The Reflected Speaker Setup
Pioneer Elite Atmos Speaker
This is a unique setup because it utilizes special speaker('s) on top of the cabinet to reflect the "height audio channel information" onto the ceiling. Why would you choose this route? Maybe your ceilings will not allow you to run additional wire or maybe you are in a rental unit and can't conceal them? The "Reflected" speakers have two inputs, one for the regular channel and another for the height. Also, take into consideration that you will have to run another speaker wire and/or multi-conductor cable.
There are a multitude of setups and everyone's home theater systems will be different to some degree. The real "work-horse" is the processor or receiver. There are so many different configurations from the type of speakers (Reflected and/or Overhead), distance and overall ceiling height - you will want to have our calibrators do the hard work for you to achieve optimum performance.
New movie titles with Dolby Atmos mix's are being released weekly. You just have to look for the Dolby Atmos logo (see above) on the Bluray packaging or streaming movie information. Most major electronics manufacturers are introducing new Dolby Atmos ready receivers and/or processors, along with new speakers.
Are you ready to throw away your current receiver for a new Dolby Atmos capable system? Call us today and schedule an appointment for more information!