Is Dolby Atmos Really Worth It? Let's find out!

If you're considering upgrading your home theatre system to include Dolby Atmos, you're probably wondering if it's really worth the investment. In this video, we'll dive into the world of high-fidelity audio and explore the benefits of Dolby Atmos. From immersive soundscapes to enhanced cinematic experiences, we'll cover it all. Whether you're a home theater enthusiast or just looking to elevate your entertainment setup, this video is for you. Join us as we put Dolby Atmos to the test and find out if it's truly worth the hype.

[stevebuckner]

Being in the movie industry and worked on Ready Player One with a wife who was an Accountant in the industry it all comes down to the budget set for the movie. The sound editing company's budget dictate what and where they are going to apply overhead sound. As you stated kpace, why are you hearing voices above you when the actors are low. That is a decision made by the sound editors and accepted by the production staff. They could edit it to mind boggling sound but no one wants to pay for it. Actor's, Director's, no problem with the money but as the trickle down affect goes corner's are cut. I started with a 5-2-2 Atmos setup but kept asking my wife do you hear any sound above you, not really she said. Changed things to 5-2-4 Auro 3d and where much happier. You will see production company's, Studios spending money on editing sound to suit the home theater croud vs movie theaters requirements. I believe IMAX, Netflix, Disney and a few more are going through there old hits and re-mastering the Audio to provide a far better sound mix.

[gab]

I luv my Atmos, some movies use it really well. Blade runner 2049 has great Atmos use.

[Music.Movies.]

I only have a 5.1 setup in a apartment, so don't think I will be bothering with Dolby Atmos, happy enough with my 5.1 setup

[P-LOWN]

I absolutely love Atmos especially when it’s used perfectly in movies. War movies are my favorites so much going on at all times with good atmos . Great video man keep up the good work! You should do movies reviews i’d love to see your thoughts on really good atmos movies. Exemple: ready player one, midway, 13 hours, fury, edge of tomorrow, john wick, jurassic park, harry potter things like that.

[FURognar]

A lot of people still seem to be thinking from the Channel-based paradigm it seems.

Atmos is about all the channels working together to render a sound object in 3D space. Under most circumstances, most of the sound comes from ear level with assistance from the height channels, which helps to left the sound object in the soundstage. That will give sounds like bullets a 3 dimensional character to them. It makes them feel like they are zooming right past your head.

Discrete height sounds like helicopters and spaceships dont happen that often in movies. If you want a perfect example of a clearly distinct sound directly overhead, watch Man of Steel. The beginning sequence on Krypton has two moments where a ship flies overhead and uses its P.A. system. Its unmistakeable when it happens. Check that scene out.

[mattgiunt]

So this is where Yamaha receivers play a big role. Before atmos was even thought of Yamaha had front and rear presence speakers. They always fired and really changed everything for home theater. When atmos came out they simply became atmos speakers however non atmos mixes used presence speakers. Ive always used Yamaha receivers because of this and Ive always had 4 speakers either high on the wall or in ceiling.

[TheRealCompensator]

Sound isolation is the most significant thing in Dolby Atmos. People who ask this have absolutely no idea, until they experience it themselves.

I can never go back to a regular setup. Even concerts and music in general is a game changer.

My current setup is 5.1.4 .

[whoguy]

Atmos is definitely worth it and Dolby Surround also does up mixing to bring Dolby 5.1 to Atmos.

[Stevex]

I've upgraded to Atmos yesterday. I have my Atmos speakers pointing upwards temporarily until I replace my front speakers and center channel.

I noticed that in some scenes in one of my Atmos movies the volume of the Atmos effect is at such a low volume that it won't be heard from bouncing off the ceiling.

I'll be putting my height speakers on my ceiling in center height above my seating area and slightly to the side.

I don't have the room behind my sofa for surround back speakers but with the bouncy castle speakers I hear much more so a full room sound.

My Denon x2800 upmixes surround sound to a pseudo Atmos and it sounds fantastic where it sounds some of the sound is coming slightly above me and I hear more sound coming from behind with the Atmos speakers.

[bloodydominations]

I had been running a 5.2 setup in my room for years and years (the room and ceilings are not laid out well for Atmos or even back surrounds). When my trusty receiver died, I decided to take the plunge into Atmos and come up with a solution for those surround back channels for a 7.2.2 setup.

I’m really happy with it overall, but I agree the extra two channels in the bed layer make a far bigger difference than the two height channels. Recently watched Snowpiercer, and there’s a scene where Tilda Swinton walks up directly behind you on the train. That would have come from left side surround it old setup so it’s much more immersive and accurate this way.

[Keith_from_LBC]

Maybe if you chose a movie with overhead sound actually happening, you might hear a difference.
Don't choose a ground war sequence to do your tests on.
Love your setup and movie room.

[darthjerell]

I believe for Atmos to truly be heard, it all depends on the movie. How any movie is remastered on a disc makes the difference. Example....Godzilla/ Kong New Empire isn't as strong as the other Monsterverse movies. Godzilla VS. Kong is superior. The Atmos effects match the bed layer & subwoofers. Now I'm dating myself here, but the 4K for the movie Dragonslayer was one of the best disc's that came out a couple of years ago. The Atmos effects for that movie are one of my best reference movies to show of our system. Now I've had 6.1 & 7.1 systems. We're running a 5.4 2 Atmos/DTS-X system, & we're still very happy with it. My goal this year is to upgrade to a 5.4.4 system now that I found a affordable receiver.

[Tori_]

I do agree going from 5.1 to 7.1 is the better option than 5.1.2 ~ I'm currently running 7.2.4 and would never go back. For proper height demos, try movies like Nope, A Quiet Place, or Top Gun Maverick.

[LeeLee-fimx]

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that due to Dolby Atmos's object based nature, regardless if you have 5 base layer channels, you don't actually lose rear channel information. Object based formats route the information to whatever channel is available. So rear channel sound would be routed to perhaps the side surrounds. Same with the height channels. In a 2 height channel setup, you would miss out on front to rear panning, but all the sound information would still come from the 2 height channels you already have.

[matt]

I really like Atmos but I don’t understand why they don’t in most cases use the Atmos to expand the height of the speakers making them seem larger than they are, an extension per se. Another thing that confuses me is tracking with the speakers an airplane tracking through each speaker or a squirrel running up a tree, and across a branch. You can visually see it in your head as you have in life but most of the time they don’t use it as such. This would help so much with pulling someone in the movie/show. A lot of untapped potential. I thought about going from .4 to .6 on Atmos but at this point there’s just not enough to justify the cost and work, .4 is where I’ll be until the tech is utilized more and in a more seamless manner.

[escapeintokhd]

Great vid. IMO it’s all in the mixing as all are not created equal, I’ve been a sound buff since laserdisc AC-3, most premium blockbusters are superb. Dune 1&2, Quiet Place Day 1, Godzilla minus one, Overlord, Bladerunner 2049, just to name a few, out of the 200+ 4K, I’ll give 20 + excellent mixing, One of the best is Star Wars a force awakens also Doctor Sleep. Can’t listen if it’s not immersive as I’m spoiled. Thanks for a cool vid ✌️Running a 5.1.2 Pioneer LX 505 and just did a Dirac calibration from app and regular mic as a have a medium size room and Wow, big difference. Waiting on my Emotiva Basx3 to be serviced and returned

[AhmetAtalayOfficial]

What was the movie in the demo? I would love to watch whatever it is.

[wbrcflyer]

Right on time for this demo. 1/20/25
I just set up 2 rear additional atmos last night to hear the sound coming from them. I was surprised that it wasn't much. This helped me decide before I cut holes in the ceiling and made a purchase
My 2 elac upward speakers in front do ok by themselves.
So, the Yamaha receiver can give you virtual surround using the surround speakers... I'll continue listening to a few disk otherwise I'll use what I have.
👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[JBu-qe]

In a Dolby stereo 2ch mix the Atmos channels are used constantly, doesn't add any directional effects but fills the room more

[peteraxelson]

Thanks for your research and honesty. The audio world appears to really push Atmos to sell more expensive AV receivers, speakers etc. You just got another subscriber. Cheers.