The basic image of a movie theater hasn’t changed in more than a century. The viewer sits facing a screen, while a projector fires images from behind them. Over the years, visual displays have evolved. Now, you can watch from a projector or a TV in stunning 4K resolution right in the comfort of your Southlake, TX home. For some homeowners, that’s enough. But if you want to enjoy the real benefits of a home theater system, you’ll need to upgrade your sound system, too. Immersive audio is a great way to enjoy your movies the way you did when you saw them at the local megaplex. Ready to learn more? Keep reading.

SEE ALSO: 3 Creative Uses for Your Home Audio Distribution System

 

What Is Immersive Audio

Surround sound has been around since the 1970s. Originally, it was a way for moviegoers to experience films in a whole new dimension. They were no longer stuck with two-channel stereo. Instead, they could hear five, or seven, or more channels playing sound from all over the room.

Systems became more popular, and soon people were able to enjoy full surround sound in the comfort of their homes. Unfortunately, these systems rarely sounded as good as the one at the theater down the street -- there simply wasn’t enough space to accommodate the appropriate number of channels.

So, audio experts at Dolby developed a new way of listening. Rather than assign each sound to a specific channel, they treat each as an individual object. They can then move sounds naturally from one channel to another, allowing for a greater sense of fluidity. Additionally, they included overhead channels that would create a sphere of sound around the listener. And the best part? It would sound just as good at home with a 5.1.2 system as it would at a theater with a 60-plus channel system.

Dolby Atmos has been changing the way homeowners watch movies, enjoy sports, play video games, and even listen to music. It’s the perfect addition to any home theater system.

How You Can Enjoy Atmos

A true Atmos system helps your movies sound spectacular. But you’ll need an expert to install it to achieve the full effect. There are two ways to enjoy a system in just about any space – with overhead speakers and with upfiring units.

Overhead speakers are ceiling-mounted channels that help your system achieve three-dimensional immersion. They act as any channels in your system and can be installed by a qualified professional for the best results.

And for homeowners who don’t want to install speakers in their ceiling, listeners can enjoy upfiring units. These devices aim at the ceiling and use the natural reflections of the room to create the same immersive experience. To get the most out of them, you’ll have to ensure your ceiling isn’t composed of sound-dampening panels.

Want to learn more about Dolby Atmos, like how you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows in your living room with an Atmos-compatible soundbar?

Click here or give us a call at (214) 389-4985 today!