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Sonos是一家领先的美国音频技术公司，以提供开创性无线多房间音频系统著称，听众可以利用这套系统轻松地在家中流式播放音乐和其他内容。公司不断创新，打造出无线音响、家庭影院系统、耳机、建筑组件和集成式家庭音频解决方案，彻底改变了人们聆听和连接声音的方式。

Have you ever wanted to transport yourself into the heart of a concert hall or immerse yourself in the sounds of nature without leaving the comfort of home? With the emergence of spatial audio, this easily becomes a reality. In this beginner's guide, we’re exploring the world of spatial audio, how it works, and how you can listen yourself.

Spatial audio is an innovative technology that creates a three-dimensional listening experience, making it seem as if sound is coming from various directions and distances. Unlike traditional stereo sound, where audio is delivered through two channels (left and right), spatial audio adds an extra dimension by incorporating height. This technology allows you to perceive sound as though it's coming from specific locations around you, mimicking how sound travels in real life.

Spatial audio representation with a black Beam, Sub, and surrounds

Unlike stereo or surround sound, spatial audio uses sophisticated algorithms, advanced processing techniques, and specialized hardware to recreate lifelike soundscapes. Using object-based sound technology, such as Dolby Atmos, sound objects (including vocals, instruments, or effects) are strategically assigned to specific locations in a 3D space rather than a fixed channel.

Say you’re listening to spatial audio on a single speaker, like 

. To produce sound that feels like it’s coming from above, upward-firing drivers in the speaker bounce sound off the walls and ceiling, which get reflected to a specific location in the room. Because audio isn’t being projected in one direction, as is the case with mono and stereo sound, your content feels like it’s hitting you from every direction.

A standout quality of Dolby Atmos is its ability to adapt to various hardware and playback setups. Whether listening on headphones, a smart speaker, or a complete home theater system, Dolby Atmos optimizes the sound to your environment for a more realistic listening experience.

Spatial audio brings you closer to the creator's original intent, allowing you to hear your content the way it was meant to be heard. When listening to music, you'll feel as if you're in the recording studio, surrounded by every instrument and nuanced detail. When watching a movie, the explosions will reverberate around you, the dialogue will appear to come from specific corners of the room, and ambient sounds will transport you into the center of the scene — it's like having a private cinema right in your living room. Spatial audio enriches your emotional connection to your content by making it more engaging and lifelike.

Woman sitting in a chair listening to a pair of white Era 300s

Couple laying on the floor with their dog while watching tv with a white Beam

How can I listen to spatial audio at home?

To experience your music and movies in spatial audio from the comfort of home, you’ll need two things: a Dolby-Atmos supported streaming service and a compatible device. Below are a few types of devices you can use to play Dolby Atmos content:

One of the most popular ways to experience spatial audio is with a pair of headphones. Over-ear headphones have the ability to create an exceptional acoustic seal around your ears, making you feel completely surrounded by what’s playing.

If you want to experience spatial audio out loud instead of using headphones, some 

 — can fill a large space with immersive Dolby Atmos content. No matter where you are in the room, it will feel like the music is playing all around you.

Similar to a smart speaker, some high-end 

, can support spatial audio for movies and TV shows for a theater-like experience. These systems often include upward-firing drivers to bounce sound off the ceiling to create an all-encompassing effect.

If you want to put yourself inside your games, certain consoles and PCs with compatible sound cards can deliver a truly lifelike experience when playing content mixed in Dolby Atmos.

Some VR headsets provide spatial audio as part of their virtual experiences. When pairing spatial audio with VR content, these headsets can offer an incredibly immersive audio-visual experience.

Spatial audio represents a groundbreaking leap in the way we enjoy our favorite movies, music, and games. Its ability to create immersive, lifelike audio environments opens up new dimensions of entertainment where sound isn’t just heard but felt. 

 speakers feature cutting-edge technology that allow you to effortlessly experience spatial audio at home. If you have any questions or need help selecting a Dolby Atmos-supported speaker, get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

A couple sitting together on the couch watching a movie with a Sonos home theater system and Era 300 surround sound speakers

The Beginner’s Guide to Spatial Audio

Every listener wants to make sure they’re getting the best sound quality. That often comes down to choosing between mono sound and stereo sound. It’s easy to assume that stereo sound is always better, but there are many reasons you might want to choose mono.

In this post, we explain the differences between mono and stereo sound and explore the advantages of each. We also provide some helpful tips on choosing the right speakers for your space. Now, let’s dive in.

Mono is short for monophonic, which means “one sound.” (In Greek, monos means “one” and phone means “sound.”)

When a speaker is described as having mono sound, that means it has a single audio channel for playback. So, when you listen to music, all the elements of a song — such as the guitars, drums, and vocals — combine and play through the same single channel at the same volume.

Because mono sound compresses audio elements together, it can sound flatter and less detailed, particularly when you listen to music, which is typically recorded and mixed in stereo. Low frequencies (bass) sound especially less dynamic.

Mono sound also has a narrow soundstage. In other words, it sounds as if it comes from a single point and direction. The further you move away from the center point of that single audio channel, the less detail you’ll hear.

Today, mono sound remains most commonly used for voice recordings because of its advantages in reducing background noise and capturing a voice in the clearest, most natural way possible. You’re most likely to experience mono sound when you’re listening to a podcast, AM radio, or someone on the other end of a phone call or video call.

Whereas mono sound is limited to just one audio channel, stereo sound uses two audio channels: the left and the right. This creates a more realistic and immersive listening experience. (In Greek, stereos means “solid” or “three dimensional.”)

When you listen to music in stereo, different elements of a song are assigned to either channel. This creates a wider, more dynamic soundstage that mimics the experience of listening at a live concert. For example, it may sound like a bass guitar is to your right, violins are on the left, and the vocals are front and center, where the lead singer would be.

A Sonos user listening to his records with a turntable through a pair of black Sonos Era 100 speakers

By separating instruments and vocals into different channels, each element has more “space to shine” so it sounds clearer. The impression of depth and space also enhances the emotional power of sound, which is why stereo is the go-to recording format for music, movies, TV, and video games.

The choice between mono and stereo sound depends on the listening situation.

Generally speaking, stereo sound is better for music, home theater, and video games because it is more immersive and because these types of audio files are made specifically for stereo listening. Stereo sound, however, is not categorically superior to mono sound.

As previously mentioned, mono sound is preferable when the focus is on clarity of a single voice or instrument. So, if you primarily listen to podcasts, mono sound is great.

Mono sound is also better for background music, particularly when you have multiple speakers (like in-ceiling speakers) covering a large area. In this scenario, mono sound ensures that everyone hears the same audio at the same volume for a more balanced and consistent listening experience as they move through the space.

As a single source of audio, mono sound is also easier to process for listeners with hearing impairments.

Any standalone speaker is capable of playing mono sound. When a mono speaker plays a stereo recording, it combines both the left and right channel into one. This reduces the stereo separation of the track so the sound appears “in the middle.”

, are capable of stereo playback because they feature separate drivers for the left and right channels. When a stereo speaker plays a mono recording, the left and right channels duplicate the same audio signal. This is known as dual mono.

Speakers with an identical acoustic architecture and sound profile can be paired in the same room for stereo sound. So, you can achieve a stereo listening experience with two mono speakers.

When you pair two stereo speakers, one becomes a dedicated left channel and the other a dedicated right channel for a bigger, richer soundstage overall. If you play a mono recording, each speaker will duplicate it and fill the room more evenly with dual mono sound.

, feature at least one dedicated driver for a height channel to support spatial audio playback. To learn more, check out our 

Stereo sound features two channels — the left and right — that recreate the soundstage of a live performance. While it offers depth and directionality, stereo sound is limited to a single plane.

Surround sound features at least four channels (usually five) for a more immersive listening experience. Surround sound also recreates the soundstage of a live performance, but it adds a sense of three-dimensionality with rear speakers that produce sounds to the sides and behind you.

Surround sound is ideal for home theater experiences, as it brings movies, shows, and video games to life in a more realistic way. For movies — which are most often mixed for this format — a surround sound system can be worth the investment if you want to feel more immersed in the story.

Couple on the couch watching tv with a white Ray and pair of Era 100s as surrounds

When choosing speakers for your home, it’s important to consider the desired listening experience, the size of your room(s), and your budget.

Ask yourself if you need speakers for a specific purpose. For example, are you just interested in listening to podcasts, or would you prefer more immersive sound for music? Do you want to create a home theater system? Is portability and the option to listen outdoors a factor?

If you’re trying to cover a large space, you’re going to want either fewer, more powerful speakers, or a greater quantity of less powerful speakers. (When determining how powerful a speaker is, it’s helpful to look at its size and the number of drivers.) For a smaller room, look for a more compact speaker that won’t overwhelm the space.

If you want to listen in multiple rooms, the flexibility to mix and match speakers is key — as is the ability to easily control your whole system.

From an affordable mono speaker you can use everywhere to a world-class stereo system and everything in between — Sonos makes it easy to fill your home with incredible sound. You can also choose one speaker that fits your budget now, then get a second later to create a stereo pair and upgrade your listening experience.

If you know you want stereo sound from a standalone speaker, then 

If you have any questions or need help selecting a speaker, get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

Pair of white Sonos Fives and a walnut turntable placed on a console

Mono vs. Stereo Sound: What's the Difference?

High-fidelity audio — or hi-fi, for short — is audio that’s reproduced from the original recording with as high a degree of exactness as possible. Short of staging a live show or concert in your living room, a hi-fi audio setup should deliver the best sonic quality you can experience at home.

But the term “hi-fi” is subjective. It depends as much on personal taste as it does on technical factors. Some might consider the quality of a standard CD to be hi-fi, as it hovers near the crispest sound the human ear can perceive. Others thirst for even purer levels of playback, unwilling to forgo the subtle pleasure of picking out a single voice from a choir, or hearing a finger gently settle on a guitar string.

In this guide, we’ll define hi-fi audio in more depth, focusing on everything from sound waves to the components involved in a typical home setup. Just as important, we’ll help you define what hi-fi means 

. Because what’s the point of hi-fi audio if your ears don’t enjoy it?

Hi-fi audio is audio that reproduces the sound of an original recording with minimal levels of distortion and a full, accurate range of audible frequencies. If the human ear is unable to discern any difference between an in-person performance and an audio reproduction of that performance, the latter would generally qualify as hi-fi audio.

You might assume that the evolution of audio technology in the last century has been one long, uninterrupted march toward hi-fi perfection. But you’d be wrong.

Port placed on top of books lying on a bookshelf

The term “hi-fi” was introduced in the 1950s to describe newer at-home audio systems that often involved multiple components. Such setups achieved levels of sonic accuracy that far surpassed the phonographs and AM radio frequencies of yore.

The development of stereophonic equipment, which brings a greater sense of width and spaciousness to recorded sounds, marked an especially important breakthrough in hi-fi audio. Another milestone came in the 1980s with the explosion of CDs, a new digital format that reduced noise without compromising much in terms of quality.

 in the 2000s with the advent of streaming, which compresses audio files so that they take up less storage space. This compression often comes at the expense of fidelity. Newer streaming formats have shown better results, but before we get too far ahead of ourselves in talking specs, let’s establish what we’re actually 

 when we listen to hi-fi audio in the first place.

If you were to say that hi-fi audio is audio that “sounds good,” well, you’d technically be right. But what elements of a recording contribute to its sounding good?

There are a lot of nooks and crannies we could dive into, but here are five major factors to pay attention to when evaluating the fidelity of a digital audio recording:

 

The greater the number of bits in a digital audio recording, the greater the dynamic range. This means less “white noise” during quiet moments, and less distortion of sounds during loud moments.


Sound is a vibration that propagates across space. The illusion of this space can be created by stereo equipment that makes the sound from a set of speakers feel more encompassing, and less like it’s coming from a single direction.


 

The space between sounds in a recording matters, too. Hi-fi audio should have good separation between instruments and vocalists, so that you can clearly hear the unique characteristics (including the physical space) of each.


The balance of bass, treble, and midrange in a mix is essential. Too much bass can make a track sound muddy and underwater; too much treble can make it sound tinny and harsh. Most audiophiles prefer a more neutral or natural tonality, with a delicate balance of tonal emphasis.


How does it sound to you? This is arguably more important than anything else, and may lead you to a definition of hi-fi that differs from the rest.

Now that we’ve reviewed the basic elements of hi-fi audio, let’s discuss how two important measurements — sample rate and bit depth — can help you achieve higher fidelity in digital audio formats.

Most people these days listen to audio on digital formats, such as streaming services. These formats can be incorporated into a hi-fi audio system with help from a digital-to-analog converter, or DAC.

Beyond converting digital audio into an analog waveform, a DAC’s job is essentially to fine-tune the tonality and overall sound quality of the digital audio source recording.

It does this by taking tiny snapshots, or samples, of the original soundwave and stitching these snapshots together into an analog waveform. This follows the same principle as a film camera, which takes tiny snapshots of a live image and stitches them together to make a movie.

 describes the number of snapshots taken of the original soundwave. The higher the sample rate, the closer the reproduction resembles the original. A CD’s sample rate of 44.1 kHz is standard for recorded music, and means that 44,100 samples are taken per second.

 snapshots are taken of a soundwave, then 

 each of those snapshots can capture. Greater bit depths mean a wider dynamic range; in other words, a wider difference between the loudest sound you can play back without distortion and the quietest sound you can record before losing resolution.

CDs have a bit depth of 16 bits per sample, which can record over 65,500 amplitude values. This figure isn’t random. The standard sampling frequency of CDs was chosen because it was thought that 16 bits covers the full range of quiet-to-loud sounds that humans can hear. A 

 by Joshua Reiss at Queen Mary University of London challenged this notion, suggesting that some people can detect the difference between CDs and high-resolution audio tracks that can achieve up to 24 or 32 bits per sample.

Hi-fi audio combines a high sample rate with a high bit depth, resulting in a “lossless” and accurate reproduction of the original recording. Whether you can actually 

 may help determine which audio quality meets your personal standards.

Port and Amp placed next to each other on an angle

If you’re interested in building a hi-fi audio setup of your own, there are a few ways to go about it depending on your budget and desire for customization.

Many audiophiles prefer to build modular systems that combine a number of different pieces (CD player or turntable, preamplifier, DAC, power amplifier, speakers, subwoofer, etc.) from different manufacturers. Alternatively, you could opt for an integrated system that combines several of these components into a single unit.

, or streaming platform that delivers your audio. Be aware that certain streaming platforms (like Spotify) don’t have a hi-fi audio option, though others (like Apple Music and Tidal) do offer lossless, hi-res audio at certain subscription tiers.

As noted above, a DAC converts digital audio into analog. Many hi-fi products, such as 

, have a DAC built-in. This DAC ensures that any streamed audio is converted and reproduced to sound as clear as possible.

An amplifier enhances and increases the audio signal that comes out of your DAC. It boosts the signal enough to power speakers without distorting its quality.

Speakers are what sound comes out of. Most hi-fi systems have at least two loudspeakers and are intended to be listened to in stereo.

Some individual speakers allow for a stereo experience by configuring multiple loudspeakers within the same enclosure; 

, for example, houses three high-excursion woofers (low- and mid-range frequencies) with three tweeters (high frequencies). And you can pair two Sonos Five speakers for an even more expansive experience.

The unique acoustics of the room matters, too. It’s amazing what you can achieve just by adding a few sound-absorbing curtains or bookshelves. And if you’re using a Sonos system, 

 analyzes every contour of your space to optimize the speaker’s EQ.

You can always add more to a hi-fi system (and many people spend their whole lives doing just that). But these essential components should be enough to get you started.

Some people don’t know what they’re missing until they’ve heard a hi-fi system in action. If you’re used to listening through a tiny laptop speaker or even high-quality Bluetooth headphones, you may be amazed by the depth and detail of the sound you’ll hear on a true hi-fi system.

Movies are created for big screens and loud speakers. And no musician or composer envisions their masterpiece playing through a trebly cassette player. Hi-fi audio lets you hear these works the way they were intended to be heard.

Hi-fi audio can enhance the emotional experience of hearing a piece of music; in some cases, it’s even like hearing it for the first time.

Not any old headphones, speakers, or streaming service is capable of producing a hi-fi audio experience. You will need to invest in some equipment. And skimping on just one component — speakers, an amp, etc. — can ruin the effect of the stuff you do invest in. With that said, hi-fi is becoming more and more accessible, and Sonos even offers 

 at different price points to get you started.

Not commonly available on streaming services.

The most popular streaming service, Spotify, still doesn’t offer hi-res audio tracks. Others do, but their hi-res libraries may be limited. This situation is improving, but it explains why so many audiophiles haven’t thrown away their vinyl and CDs.

We’ll get to this in the next section, but since most hi-fi audio formats are uncompressed, they tend to take up a lot of space on a hard drive. If you’re serious about streaming hi-fi audio, you may want to think about upgrading your disk space.

Amp placed next to a turntable on a console

Not every file format is capable of reproducing hi-fi audio. MP3s, for example, can only achieve anywhere from 96 to 320 kilobits per second (kbps) — a steep dropoff from standard CDs. Here are some formats that can do the job:

WAV is an uncompressed format that uses the same coding format as CDs. Because it’s uncompressed, file sizes can be quite large.

WAV was originally developed by Microsoft, and Apple’s answer was the uncompressed AIFF format. Compressed, lossy variants of AIFF also exist; these take up less space at the expense of quality.

FLAC is another lossless format that is widely compatible with different systems. Some audiophiles consider it something of a gold standard for combining lossless compression with smaller file sizes than competing formats.

Another proprietary format from Apple, ALAC has similar sound quality to FLAC but may be less compatible with non-Apple ecosystems.

This proprietary format is used primarily for Tidal tracks. Though technically lossy, it may achieve sound quality indistinguishable from other hi-fi file types with significantly smaller file sizes.

Whether hi-fi is worth it to you depends on your answers to a few questions.

Can you actually detect the difference between an uncompressed file format and an MP3? Not everyone can, and it’s not something to feel bad about. Many adults suffer from minor hearing loss that hinders their ability to detect compression.

Do you care? Even some people who can hear the difference between compressed and uncompressed files don’t really mind the former. Others can hardly listen to MP3s after experiencing true lossless quality, deriding the experience as something akin to having mud in your ears.

Do you have the budget to upgrade? Hi-fi sound doesn’t come free, and you can certainly pour hundreds or thousands of dollars into different components without achieving a sound you think is worthy of your ears. But there are more affordable ways to achieve a perfectly respectable hi-fi sound, and it need not break the bank.

Sonos is a great pathway to a hi-fi lifestyle. Our 

 features two Sonos Five speakers that provide a premium multi-room sound experience with detailed left and right channel separation. It may well be all you’ll ever need.

What Is Hi-Fi Audio? A Beginner’s Guide

It's not just you. TV sound quality really is getting worse. That's because as TVs have become thinner and smaller, so have their built-in speakers. But you don't have to turn on closed captions and endure muffled dialogue. One of the easiest ways to improve TV audio quality is with a soundbar.

But what exactly is a soundbar, and are they worth the investment? In this post, we'll explain how they work and provide you with all the information you need to choose the right one for your home.

A soundbar is a slim, horizontal speaker designed to improve the sound quality of your TV, typically placed on furniture in front of your TV or mounted on the wall. These speakers are ideal for those looking to elevate their viewing experience without the complexity and clutter of traditional home theater setups.

 work by consolidating multiple audio components into a single speaker. These built-in components include tweeters (which handle high frequency sounds, like a whistle), mid-range drivers (which cover dialogue) and woofers (which deliver deep, resonating bass). When combined, these components create a wider and more immersive soundstage for a more realistic listening experience. Some soundbars also feature advanced audio technology like 

, which can offer a more theater-like experience.

White Sonos Beam positioned under a television

Soundbars and standalone speakers differ significantly in terms of design and functionality. The most notable difference is that soundbars are simply easier to use and take up less space. You can typically connect a soundbar to your TV via an HDMI or optical audio cable, whereas traditional speakers require a separate receiver with more extensive wiring and setup.

Soundbars are particularly appealing for those living in smaller apartments or for those who don’t have enough space for a bulky speaker system. Plus, most soundbars offer WiFi connectivity, which allows you to wirelessly connect your soundbar with other speakers. This is especially appealing if you’re looking to add rear speakers for surround sound or a subwoofer and don’t want to worry about running wires across the room or drilling into the walls and ceiling.

Soundbars excel in scenarios where your TV’s built-in speakers fall short. When you’re watching a movie, a soundbar can greatly improve the clarity of dialogue and create a more dynamic soundstage. Similarly, streaming music through your soundbar will make your favorite songs sound clearer, crisper, and more detailed.

Plus, some soundbars incorporate theater-quality features like 

 and Dolby Atmos, which create a three-dimensional sound environment. This is what allows you to hear a plane like it’s flying overhead in an intense action film or feel like instruments are coming from different parts of the room while listening to music. These features are especially appealing for audiophiles and movie enthusiasts who want to feel immersed in their content like it’s unfolding right in their living room.

A person's hand working the touch controls on a white Sonos Beam

A couple watching tv with a black Sonos Arc and pair of Era 100s

When it comes to choosing the right soundbar for your home, there are several factors to consider:

While any soundbar should vastly improve the audio quality of your TV, not all soundbars are created equal. Different makes and models will range in power and capabilities.

Most soundbars feature two to four internal speakers (also called drivers), which do a great job at covering what’s known as your “frontstage” — your left, right, and center channels of audio. This will allow you to hear the action move across the screen similar to how it would sound in real life. But more premium soundbars, like 

, feature eleven internal speakers, including two upward-firing speakers that add height to your viewing experience. So, not only are you hearing sound from in front of you, but also from the sides, behind, and above.

Both the size of your TV and the size of your room are important to consider when choosing a soundbar. If you’re placing your soundbar in a large room, you’ll want to choose a speaker that’s powerful enough to effectively fill the space with sound. However, a large soundbar may overwhelm your space if you live in a small apartment.

Larger soundbars are best for TVs over 55 inches, whereas a smaller soundbar is best paired with a smaller TV. Here’s a breakdown of which Sonos soundbars work best for different size TVs:

Ultimately, any size soundbar should work for any size room and TV, but you’ll want to make sure it makes sense for your current setup.

Different soundbars come with different connection options, with the most common being optical, HDMI ARC (which stands for “audio return channel”), and HDMI eARC. For newer TVs, HDMI eARC is ideal because it receives all the audio signals and simply passes the video signals to your TV — meaning your speaker can focus on the sound while your TV handles the visuals.

You can determine if your TV is compatible with HDMI eARC by locating the port on the back of the TV (it’s typically next to the headphone input.) If you have an older TV, it may require an adapter for compatibility, although these adapters are generally provided in the box when you purchase your soundbar.

As previously mentioned, some soundbars offer more advanced features like spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, which can deliver a virtual surround sound experience without the need for rear speakers. (You can learn more about virtual surround sound in our 

). This technology expands beyond the traditional stereo soundstage and adds depth and directionality, creating a three-dimensional effect. The listening experience can feel so lifelike you might find yourself checking over your shoulder when you hear footsteps approaching from behind.

If you're looking for a hands-free experience or want your speaker to connect effortlessly with the rest of your smart home devices, many soundbars are compatible with popular voice assistants, like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair a device to stream music through your soundbar when the TV is off.

Not only is it important to invest in a soundbar with a reputation for durabiIity, but choosing a soundbar that offers ongoing software updates means that your speaker will only get better over time. Sonos incorporates sophisticated processing technology in its products to send regular software updates that can provide new features and improve the sound quality of your speaker, so you can continue to enjoy your soundbar for years to come.

Black Sonos Ray positioned under a television

A soundbar is undoubtedly worth the investment if you're looking to upgrade your home entertainment experience. They offer superior audio quality, particularly in scenarios where TV speakers fall short. Whether you're an avid movie watcher, a music enthusiast, or simply want to enjoy more immersive sound while watching TV, a soundbar can help bring all your favorite entertainment to life.

If you have any questions or need help selecting a 

A white Sonos Arc positioned under a television

What Is a Soundbar? And How To Choose One

Imagine being fully immersed in a movie, feeling every explosion and whisper as if you were actually there in the scene. Or listening to your favorite artist's music and hearing every instrument as if you were in the recording studio. This level of immersion is made possible by Dolby Atmos, a revolutionary audio technology that takes listening experiences to new heights. Literally.

Keep reading to learn more about what Dolby Atmos is, how it differs from traditional surround sound, its applications in home theaters and music, and how you can bring this incredible sound experience into your own home with Sonos.

Dolby Atmos is an innovative spatial audio technology that allows engineers and artists to precisely place individual sounds in three-dimensional space to more accurately reflect how you experience sound in real life.

Introduced by Dolby Laboratories in 2012, Dolby Atmos marked a groundbreaking shift from traditional channel-based audio formats — such as mono and stereo — to an object-based audio format that incorporates overhead speakers for a sense of height.

Although Dolby Atmos originated in the movie theater with the release of Pixar’s 

, it quickly made its way into homes and headphones, redefining the way audiences experience entertainment, including movies, music, and games.

Dolby Atmos vs. traditional surround sound

Dolby Atmos goes beyond traditional surround sound systems by adding a third dimension of sound: height. Instead of just having speakers around the room at ear level, Dolby Atmos introduces overhead speakers or upward-firing speakers that create a true three-dimensional soundscape.

Traditional surround sound limits audio to a certain number of channels, usually five or seven, which you may see represented by a number like 5.1 or 7.1. Because every sound has to combine into a limited number of channels, compromises often have to be made in the audio mix. For example, a choice to emphasize the music in a scene could come at the expense of dialogue clarity.

Dolby Atmos frees sounds from these limited number of channels, allowing creators to treat each instrument, sound effect, or word of dialogue individually. Creators can precisely place and move up to 128 of these “audio objects” within three-dimensional space for a more realistic and immersive sound experience. Helicopters will sound like they're flying above you, raindrops will sound like they’re falling from the sky, and overall you’ll experience so much more depth and dimension.

The Beginner’s Guide to Spatial Audio

Mono vs. Stereo Sound: What's the Difference?

What Is Hi-Fi Audio? A Beginner’s Guide

What Is a Soundbar? And How To Choose One

What Is Dolby Atmos? And How to Bring It Into Your Home

The Beginner's Guide to Bass

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The Ultimate Guide to Sonos for Business and Commercial Use

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