How Dolby Atmos Works Its Magic 

Audio Objects Take Flight 

Dolby Atmos is based on the concept of audio objects. Any sound can be mixed as a single audio element, an object, that's independently placed in three-dimensional space. A child shouting, a helicopter lifting off, a blaring car horn—the filmmaker can decide exactly where the sound should originate and where it should move as the scene develops. 

This approach allows the filmmakers to focus on the story. For channel-based audio, filmmakers must determine which speakers should reproduce which sounds, an approach that could compromise the artistic intent. With Dolby Atmos, filmmakers simply determine where the sound should be located within a scene, and the system intelligently makes the speaker-assignment decisions. Audio objects originate and move anywhere in three-dimensional space, including anywhere overhead. You will experience a soundtrack as you would in a real-world environment. 

Dolby Atmos can be configured using several different speaker arrays.  These arrays are expressed using a 3 number system, such as 5.1.4 (shown below).  This is because there are 3 different types of speakers in play:  1) The speakers "on the ground" (Front Left, Center, Front Right, Surround Left, Surround Right, Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right)  2) The Subwoofers (You can run up to two on most receivers) and 3) The Atmos Speakers (intended to be placed in ceiling)

Almost all of the A/V receivers available on the market right now only offer 9 channels of amplification.  This means that we can choose from two different Atmos configurations without requiring any additional amplifiers:  7.2.2, or 5.2.4 (or, if you only want 1 subwoofer, 7.1.2, or 5.1.4)

Base Electronics has just completed renovating our Home Theater gallery at our showroom.  It now features Dolby Atmos 7.2.4.  Stop by our showroom for a demonstration of the latest in home theater technology today!