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Dolby Atmos: does it do anything for two-channel reproduction?

I noticed that more and more of my downloads from Apple Music show the Dolby Atmos logo next to "lossless". But I cannot really hear any obvious difference on my two-channel system. Would I need a special decoder? I don't know if there are any besides the one reviewed in the current Stereophile issue (which costs a bundle). And if I had such a decoder, would it add anything to two-channel reproduction (such as adding spatial information), or is it designed strictly for multi-channel reproduction such as home-theater?

Thanks!

 
reimarc
mahler123
3,996 posts
 

How are you getting the Apple Music into your 2 channel system?

From what I can tell, Apple Spatial Audio is intended to be used with headphones or ear buds.  There are some competing technologies that can be used with Atmos soundbars.  If anyone knows different, please share

kota1
2,706 posts
 

Atmos is compatible with two speakers or headphones if you have a decoder. Object based audio is different than channels based, it is backward compatible with whatever setup you are using. My system can playback atmos up to 9.2.8 channels and yes, I have played it back in two speakers. I like it and yes, I recommend getting a receiver or processor with an atmos deoder. If you are using headphones get the ones from apple made for atmos.

reimarc's avatar
reimarc OP
81 posts
 

I currently use a USB cable from Wireworld to feed a re-clocker from Acousence which then feeds my MSB Platinum Signature DAC through AES/EBU. The MSB does not have a Atmos decoder. So, if I understand you correctly, I would have to purchase a dedicated decoder, and no longer use my MSB DAC? Which decoder do you use? Does it go directly into your preamp? Thanks.

 
kota1
2,706 posts
 

You would use your current DAC for content that isn't atmos. For atmos content you would need a source (like apple tv, amazon fire tv/stick, x-box for streaming or a BRD player for discs). Then you would need either a HT processor or receiver.
I would only go through the above if you want an atmos immersive audio setup with at least a 5.1.2 speaker layout.

If you only want to listen to atmos in two channel use a headphone setup that is enabled with dolby atmos, much easier and also very nice:

https://www.dolby.com/experience/headphones/

priitv8
12 posts
 

For Atmos enjoyment you need an Atmos decoder.
When it comes to Apple Music, then there is a lot of confusion around it.
For one, using iPad or iPhone and Apple EarPods, you can listen to Atmos through Apple Spatial renderer - this will attempt to recreate spatial effect via 2 speakers only.

To really hear Atmos music from Apple Music as Atmos immersive audio (without Apple Spatial Renderer), you need to use appleTV and connect it to Atmos capable  processor/AVR/soundbar,

For detailed explanation see this article and especially section titled "5 - Apple's "Spatial Audio" Mess"

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/why-your-atmos-mix-will-sound-different-on-apple-music

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