To put it another way, you could plug all of your video sources (cable box, streaming stick, gaming console, Blu-ray player) into either your soundbar or your TV. Essentially, what both of the ARC features do is allow your soundbar and TV to communicate and share A/V in either direction. So if you intend to listen to Dolby Atmos and watch in 4K ultra-high def, that’s the best way to handle those bandwidth hogs. But it doesn’t need to be the first thing you settle on.īottom line up front: eARC (enhanced audio return channel) is the fastest multimedia connection that your soundbar and TV can have. Obviously, at some point, you’ll need to consider how much you’re willing to spend on this. Because that consideration factors in heavily at every price point. But that’s why we led with the question about space vs. Conversely, just because an Atmos soundbar is a great value doesn’t mean it will or won’t wow your ears. But having just mentioned two pricey systems, know that you don’t necessarily need to drop a ton of cash to get a great system (as evidenced by the sub-$1,000 entries below). (The Nakamichi below is an extreme example.) But then again, advanced, high-end soundbars such as the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max ($2,000) and Devialet Dione ($2,400) also produce an incredibly compelling soundscape from an all-in-one format. If truly immersive 360-degree audio is your top priority, you’ll want to surround yourself with a dedicated subwoofer and/or surround speakers. And then - this is the magical key - they configure those internal speakers in ways designed to bounce the sounds off the entertainment table, walls, and ceiling to fool your brain into thinking there are actual speakers around the room. If you’re concerned about space limitations - or you’re just a minimalist who wants to keep it simple - Bendull recommends you go with a "bar-only option.” As the name implies, these all-in-one systems, such as the very affordable Denon DHT-S217 mentioned below, manage to pack all the speakers (including a subwoofer) into a single unit. One of the most important questions when trying to narrow down your soundbar choices is: What’s more important, conserving space or having a more immersive audio experience? Mathias Bendull, VP of Living Room at Dolby Laboratories, offers some advice on what to look for in a system and how to get the best sound out of it. If you’ve spent the money for a next-level sound system, you’re going to want to get your money’s worth. To get the most out of a soundbar with Dolby Atmos, you’re going to have to do more than plug it in and hit play. Here, then, are some of the best available soundbars with Dolby Atmos as well as some expert tips for buying the right one for your needs. In other words? Dolby Atmos literally takes surround sound to a whole other level, making watching movies a much more immersive experience. A system with Atmos allows you to not only hear sound that envelops you laterally but also adds a dimension of sounds above you (bombs whistling down, planes soaring above and zooming by), as well as more detailed atmospheric sounds like water dripping off leaves and bugs chirping in a rainforest. The Dolby Atmos logo is everywhere, but few people outside of the audiophile community know what it really means. And if you’re looking for truly immersive surround sound, a soundbar with Dolby Atmos technology is the way to go. They’re generally cheaper, take up far less room, and are easier to install. If you’re looking to ramp up your home theater’s audio but don’t have the room for a full set of surround sound speakers, a soundbar is a great option. It doesn’t matter how gorgeous your TV is if the sound coming from it is lousy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |