I’m definitely wanting to give Apple Music a try with these enhanced features! As for the purist Vs. multi-channel thing, when I was doing the 2 ch. up until the late 90s, I was curious about HT so I had HT going for up until 2019 at which time I got the tube integrated and relegated the HT to the bedroom coz I missed my “pure stereo”. 3 months ago, I shoehorned a 5.2 setup into the audio cabinet aside the “purist” rig as I missed multichannel…..loving both systems! For the OP, how is the Apple TV 4K working, in your opinion as compared with something like a Bluesound Node 2i as a streamer of this new service and does full Atmos capability seem like a must to get any benefit from this from a multi-channel standpoint or do you think it’s something a non-Atmos 5.2/7.2/etc. system might shine with?
Apple Dolby Atmos Music - Absolute GAME CHANGER!
Since Apple announced they would be upgrading to lossless audio in June, I have been excited to compare it to Qobuz. This morning I read that they had finally implemented the new standards yesterday. So, going into my settings, I changed things to play in lossless audio and fired up some songs.
But then I saw their spatial audio/ Dolby Atmos options on my apple 4k.
To say that this is a game changer - I think - perhaps might be the biggest understatement of my lifetime. I think this has the potential to be the most profound change in the way that we listen to music, ever. Mono v. Stereo. Analog to Digital. I'm not sure that anything can compare with this.
So, what is it like? For reference, I'm using a 7.2.4 Atmos system configured properly. But where the soundstage in stereo is in front of you - listening in Atmos now puts you IN the sound stage. Singers are still in front of you (and interestingly enough, the center channel isn't used for voicing at all, the bulk of the music / voices / instruments still come from your primary 2 stereo speakers - but now you can hear instruments, backup singers, drums, all around you. If I had to explain it visually, it's similar from moving to TV to a perfect VR headset experience.
Pinpoint accuracy (i.e. where is the instrument playing) is sublime now - you're again not looking for it in front of you - but rather - it can be pictured in your room. It's like being in the middle of the recording studio. Depending on the song, it can be an expansive space, or incredibly intimate - with you being closer to the singer than any other band members.
Has anyone else tried it yet? If so, what are your thoughts? Am I overselling this or do you agree? For the stereo purists out there (which I have always kind of considered myself to be but now I'm starting to question that), is it something you'd try, a gimmick?
But then I saw their spatial audio/ Dolby Atmos options on my apple 4k.
To say that this is a game changer - I think - perhaps might be the biggest understatement of my lifetime. I think this has the potential to be the most profound change in the way that we listen to music, ever. Mono v. Stereo. Analog to Digital. I'm not sure that anything can compare with this.
So, what is it like? For reference, I'm using a 7.2.4 Atmos system configured properly. But where the soundstage in stereo is in front of you - listening in Atmos now puts you IN the sound stage. Singers are still in front of you (and interestingly enough, the center channel isn't used for voicing at all, the bulk of the music / voices / instruments still come from your primary 2 stereo speakers - but now you can hear instruments, backup singers, drums, all around you. If I had to explain it visually, it's similar from moving to TV to a perfect VR headset experience.
Pinpoint accuracy (i.e. where is the instrument playing) is sublime now - you're again not looking for it in front of you - but rather - it can be pictured in your room. It's like being in the middle of the recording studio. Depending on the song, it can be an expansive space, or incredibly intimate - with you being closer to the singer than any other band members.
Has anyone else tried it yet? If so, what are your thoughts? Am I overselling this or do you agree? For the stereo purists out there (which I have always kind of considered myself to be but now I'm starting to question that), is it something you'd try, a gimmick?