Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos is an object-based surround sound format that places audio elements as 3D “objects” in space rather than fixed channels. Traditional 5.1/7.1 is channel-based; Atmos adds height and object flexibility.

For stereo hi-fi

Most 2-channel hi-fi setups don’t benefit from Atmos – your speakers reproduce a stereo downmix. Some streaming services (Apple Music, TIDAL) offer Atmos versions of songs but the stereo mix is often better balanced for 2-channel playback.

For home theater

To hear Atmos properly, you need at least 5.1.2 speaker configuration (with height speakers or upward-firing modules) and an AVR that decodes Atmos, like the Onkyo TX-RZ50.