Atmos music sounds good. I’ve been playing rock and jazz songs from Apple Music’s spatial audio playlists. I have a 7.2.4 system with Apple TV, a mid level Marantz receiver, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, and a pair of subs. Riders on the Storm from the Doors is a highlight, as well as most of the jazz songs that I have heard. Some of the rock songs have backup vocals coming from the side speakers which I do not like. In general, though, the Atmos music that I heard is more cohesive sounding than DTS, Dolby Digital or Dolby Surround. Listening to Atmos music will be a good change of pace from my 2 channel system, but it is still not quite as good for me. It’s getting closer, though. I bet Atmos would sound incredible in a system like the one that Kalman Rubinson has.
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?