In case your Dolby Atmos soundbar sounds dangerous, test this instantly

Dolby Atmos is my favorite audio format obtainable at present, and I give it a wholehearted suggestion to anyone who asks about it. The format is extra accessible than ever, with most streaming companies providing a tier that helps it, fashionable recreation consoles providing it, and what seems like most 4K Blu-ray discs having a mixture of it. Dolby Atmos is all over the place, and the one factor you have to do is ensure you have a approach to hearken to it.

What makes Atmos particular is its spatial audio capabilities. It goes above and past what conventional encompass sound gives by making a extra immersive expertise with overhead sound results. That is achieved by correctly putting audio system of their right positions, resembling placing top audio system in for the overhead sounds. Now, there are methods to get round this, and I might say soundbars prove that to a sure diploma. You may discover that most individuals place their soundbar under their TV, which is what they’re designed for. Nonetheless, that does not make sense for Dolby Atmos-branded ones as a result of I simply mentioned that you just want overhead audio system to tug off the Atmos impact.

Soundbars do that via upfiring audio system which might be designed to bounce off the ceiling and redirect towards your listening space. When it really works, it really works. When it does not, it does not. What you won’t know is that your room is likely to be the issue, not the soundbar itself.

Upfiring Atmos works, when you have the room for it

Measure your ceiling

Ceiling top is a significant component in whether or not your upfiring audio system will sound nice or depart you wanting extra. I do not assume upfiring audio system can ever absolutely replicate correctly positioned top audio system, however it may possibly come shut when you dial in all the pieces appropriately. The massive factor you have to do is be sure that your ceilings are the best top. In accordance to Dolby, upfiring Atmos is perfect with ceilings between 7.5 and 14 ft tall, however the firm notes that the best top is between 7.5 and 12. On high of that, it’s best to be certain that your ceiling is made out of one thing that displays sound as an alternative of absorbing it. This contains drywall, plaster, and hardwood, so I think about most ceilings can be high quality on this regard.

What this implies is that almost all residence ceilings fall into the optimum heights for upfiring audio system, however fewer hit that superb top. There are some methods to make it sound nicer, like placing some sound-absorbing supplies in your partitions, however meaning you are type of inching into the house theater realm, one thing you won’t be open to doing.

The factor with a soundbar is that there is not a complete lot you are able to do with Atmos when you do not meet these necessities. You’ll be able to all the time change the speaker placement on a conventional encompass sound Atmos setup when you aren’t proud of the sound, however a soundbar is what it’s. That is a giant a part of why they’re so handy for individuals to have, nevertheless it’s additionally considered one of their largest downsides. My recommendation can be to not hate on upfiring Atmos audio system till you strive them out for your self. You is likely to be stunned by how near the true factor they’ll get. The worst-case state of affairs is that you’re going to nonetheless get Atmos-quality sound, simply inferior to it may be.

Do not overthink it

Deal with Atmos as a bonus

For those who measured your ceilings, and so they do not match the invoice, I might say it’s best to simply drop your soundbar thought totally. A soundbar, with or with out Dolby Atmos, nonetheless represents a large improve over what TV speakers have to offer. Even if you cannot get the Atmos to sound nearly as good as it may possibly, I might nonetheless relatively have some Atmos than no Atmos. I do not assume it’d ever sound dangerous sufficient to be distracting, and lots of issues haven’t got a whole lot of overhead noise to start with.

I like to think about overhead sound results as a pleasant little bonus as an alternative of the primary promoting level. Atmos offers me a pleasant, immersive soundscape that overhead sounds solely construct on. Even when you do not have these Atmos audio system, the Atmos combine nonetheless represents good high quality. The great half a few soundbar is that it is very straightforward to maneuver one from room to room, so perhaps you will get one arrange in a room with some decrease ceilings and actually check out what these upfiring audio system are able to. I’ve TVs in a number of rooms, however my lounge is the place I do most of my viewing, so it would be a bummer if my ceiling wasn’t as much as snuff there, nevertheless it’s really the room in my home with the tallest ceilings.

On the finish of the day, Atmos is Atmos, regardless of the shape you get it in. Some variations are higher than others, and even the identical format is best below sure circumstances. In case your ceiling is just too tall or too brief, I say do not sweat it. If the audio sounds horrible, clearly, it’s best to do one thing, however I do not assume that’ll be the case.