With this expansion, Dolby Atmos provides an immersive sound experience. And it is becoming a new standard in sound production and reproduction.

Dolby Atmos for Music, an audio-only iteration of the format, was adopted by streaming music services Tidal and Amazon Music in December 2019 and followed by Apple Music in Mai 2021, and others will follow.

The immersive experience of Dolby Atmos utilises up to 64 speaker channels. The speakers completely envelop the audience from the front, the sides and overhead. Dolby Atmos is designed to enhance the conventional 7.1 surround formats by adding an additional stereo overhead array.

More precise, Dolby Atmos Music is a new ‘object- based’ immersive audio format for music production. This new format allows creatives to place each sound exactly where they want it to go. They are creating a more realistic and immersive audio experience and to push their creative boundaries. With Dolby Atmos Music, producers have now the ability to place and move sounds in a 3D environment with more precision. These sound objects that can be moved throughout the listening area in all 3 dimensions. Now the listeners feel like they’re immersed by their favourite music.

Consumer implementations of Dolby Atmos

The Dolby Atmos sound system consists of a compatible speaker system that has a Dolby Atmos object audio renderer. During playback, each Dolby Atmos system renders the audio objects in real time based on the known locations of the loudspeakers present in the target home theater, such that each audio object is heard as originating from its designated set of coordinates.

To benefit from this experience, there is no special equipment necessary. Every format will be created in realtime by the Dolby Atmos renderer, even binaural rendering for headphones.

Smart Speakers

In 2019, Amazon introduced “Amazon Echo Studio” (developed closely with Dolby) as the first smart speaker to support Dolby Atmos together on day one of their available Dolby Atmos Music content. It has speaker drivers all around the enclosure, firing in all directions, mounted on top, firing upwards. Room reflexions all around create a 3-dimensional sound fields. The speaker even listens to itself playing, recording its own playback and tuning itself, starts EQ’ing and adapting to the room.

Headphones for Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos also has headphone implementations for PCs, several Xbox models and mobile phones. There are even headphones with Dolby Atmos implementation. All these devices work by using audio processing algorithms to convert the Atmos object metadata into a binaural 360° output using the usual two headphone speakers.

Users can use their normal headphones or earphones so long as the decoding device uses Atmos, or the audio track itself has been previously downmixed.

With the release of third-generation AirPods in October 2021, Apple added support for Dolby Atmos to all their models.

Smartphones with Dolby Atmos implementation

Dolby Atmos has smartphone implementations for devices including, but not limited to, the iPhone when running iOS 13 or later and almost all Samsung smartphones and tablets released after the 2019.

Implementations in phone use both the binaural headphone technology and the dual loudspeaker virtual surround sound implementation similar to that used in Dolby Atmos TVs, Soundbars and smart speakers.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Atmos

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2020/7/1/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dolby-atmos-home-entertainment-r57h5

This is also known as binaural audio, immersive sound or spatial audio.
It’s no wonder it’s the hottest topic in audio right now. Spatial and immersive categories can be found on streaming services such as Apple Music, Tidal, Netflix, Amazon HD and more to come. They are capturing the fascination of the listener with the promise of a new kind of listening experience.

But why is 3D audio so spectacular?

Compared to sight, sound offers total immersion and can be perceived from all directions at once. It is a form of sound designed to be heard in three dimensions, as opposed to the traditional two-dimensional sound most of us are used to. This technology uses a variety of methods to create a realistic and immersive listening experience that can be experienced through headphones or speakers.

Applications of immersive sound reproduction are flourishing in cinemas and homes, recording studios, planetariums, opera houses and outdoor events. And yes, immersive audio allows us to rediscover the true potential of the emotional experience in all its facets. And now it is reaching the creative music production as well.

Immersive formats are designed for consumers, so playback is supported on headphones and many consumer playback devices, such as soundbars and smart speakers.

What are immersive formats for?

Immersive formats are designed to enhance the listening experience for consumers. Playback is supported on any speaker setup and on headphones. So are the most consumer playback devices, such as soundbars and smart speakers.

If no 3D audio speakers can be installed, there is an alternative: the so-called Dolby Atmos enabled set-ups. In this case, “up-firing speakers”, i.e. additional speakers that throw the sound to the ceiling, are used.

But the real champion of all audio listening devices these days are definitely headphones. This means, you don’t need a large speaker setup to listen to immersive music.

This is the new fascination of the 3D sound.

What are the applications of immersive audio?

The 3D audio effect is used wherever realistic spatial sound reproduction is required. Not only in games, films, music and television productions, but also in theatre and opera, live events and performances, the 3D audio experience is becoming increasingly important. 3D audio is an important step in improving the listening experience.

Listening to music through headphones is also becoming increasingly popular. For these music lovers, immersive 3D music mixing in Dolby Atmos is made for them. And it is actively reducing stress.

3D audio – is it worth for medical use?

3D audio is a stimulation and autosuggestion technique and has been developed to effectively help patients with tinnitus. Just as hearing improves perception, 3D audio opens up new possibilities for the treatment of people with hearing loss, dementia, stroke and movement disorders. It contributes to smoother moving and a better sense of well-being.

According to psychological research, people listen to music to balance their mood, realize self-awareness, and express social relations.

Psychologists are calling these the Big Three (reasons) for music listening. They also found that the expression of social relatedness is considerably less important than the other two reasons (National Library of Medicine).

Can I listen to immersive music on headphones?

Yes, in fact the real champion of all audio listening devices for 3D audio these days are definitely headphones. This means, you don’t need a large speaker setup to listen to immersive music. There are rendering capabilities included in the 3D playback system. This means as well, that there are no additional costs.

That’s excellent news, isn’t it?

By listening to immersive music productions, you can experience the fully intended potential expected from the composition. You will have the feeling of being completely surrounded by an immersive musical experience. You are literally bathing in music. A music that is reflecting the emotions in as authentic way.

When it comes to headphones a lot of people like deep, strong bass but most audiophiles usually prefer more accurate, natural sound.

Not everyone has space or money to enjoy real surround sound at home, with 5 or more speakers placed around them, and a subwoofer in the corner. Usually, we watch movies and listen to music with a pair of stereo speakers or headphones. Thankfully, even with those setups, you can still experience 3D audio.

source: https://headphonesaddict.com/about-headphones/page/7/