Our Home Theater Company Answers Your Dolby Atmos Questions

We break down this innovative surround sound technology

Homeowners thinking about building a home theater with surround sound have undoubtedly heard of Dolby Atmos, but few know what it means. Still, if you’re hoping to create a home theater that rivals the commercial cinema, you’ll want to bring Dolby Atmos surround sound to your home. 

Keep reading to get all of your questions about Dolby Atmos answered by our trusted home theater company in Ashland, OR!

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What is Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is an innovative and immersive surround sound format that adds an extra dimension to your listening experience through the use of height virtualization. Sound is no longer limited to channels but can move around freely from speaker to speaker and even deliver the perception that sound is coming from overhead. Flying planes sound like they’re above you and zooming cars sound like they’re speeding from the left to the right of your screen.

Do I need speakers specifically made for Dolby Atmos?

The good news is you don’t need to go out and buy new speakers for your home theater if you want to enjoy Dolby Atmos at home. Instead, you’ll need an AV receiver that supports Dolby Atmos. Fortunately, most do! However, to get the most out of the Dolby Atmos immersive audio experience, we recommend installing up-firing speaker modules for speakers that you already own or in-ceiling down-firing speakers so that you can make the most of that height audio.

Where can I find content optimized for Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos content is becoming easier to find as more movies and TV shows are produced in this sound format. You can find it on physical media like Blu-ray discs and high-end media servers, as well as digital media on streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. Music streaming services are even optimizing their content so you can have a concert-like experience!

Does my room need a certain configuration to support Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos works well in many types of rooms, depending on your speaker setup. The best sound is created in rooms with flat ceilings (in comparison to vaulted or angled) that are acoustically treated. The technology is designed for rooms with ceiling heights from 8 to 9 feet but can work in rooms as high as 14 feet. Décor such as lighting fixtures, crown molding, HVAC vents, and chandeliers do not affect the experience.

How can I bring Dolby Atmos to my home theater?

Technology Design Associates is here to help you with all your custom private cinema needs. We will work with you to design a surround sound system that meets the unique needs of your space. To learn more about custom home theater design or schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Technology Design Associates today.