Improved Height Channel Audio on Sonos Arc

Overall the Atmos content that I’m discovering is not stunningly game changing. When you think of an actual concert experience we don’t normally have instruments hanging in the air or flying overhead. Action movies, of course, can be in a different league. I’m not sure what it means when legacy content, such as The Beatles and other 60’s content is reissued in Atoms because this was recorded prior to Atmos being a concept. Certainly, the new release could take advantage of better processing of the original master tape, but 3D effects would not be part of the original tape.

That said, there could be opportunities. For example large concert halls might have a pipe organ that occupies all or most of the stage (floor to ceiling) behind the orchestra and Atmos could capture this dimension. I’m also noticing some of the legacy remixes will pull out some instruments to the rear channels, probably attempting to simulate the listener being central to the session, rather than seeming to observe the session through a window using stereo speakers.

I use what I call the “next room” observation to evaluate how “real” the presentation sounds.  In almost all cases if you listen to an audio system, from the next room, regardless of its pedigree, it simply sounds like a nice stereo in the next room. I’ve been down the hall and around the corner from a world class concert hall stage and there is no question about the music being “real or Memorex”. Turned around, standing outside the concertmaster’s suite, it was very obvious that there was a nice stereo system inside. I can recall waling down a city street and remarking that there was a live band down the street. Ultimately I walked past a bar and a small group was playing inside with the doors and windows closed. I’ve also had a few experiences with recordings made using experimental 3D microphone techniques and there was an intriguing “next room” experience. The playback equipment was nothing spectacular.

Atmos holds promise, but we’ll need more recording experience before being able to take full advantage.

Using different recording and processing techniques, we don’t need a zillion speakers to provide a 3D experience.

Here is a thoughtful discussion.

And, if you’d like some test tones to play with try these. 

I wish I could invite everyone on this thread over to my house and listen to Dolby Atmos films and music in my living room. I truly believe what I am hearing from my Arc/Sub/Play:1s setup is game changing.

Last night, I was listening to the songs “Harridan” and “Of the New Day” from Porcupine Tree in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music. Hearing the different parts of the songs above me and all around me was a truly immersive and satisfying experience. Listening to the stereo mix of the same songs was flat and lifeless in comparison.

I was also fortunate enough to get one of the limited edition copies of the new Tears for Fears album on Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos mix. The mix sounds so good on my Arc that it is difficult for me to listen to the album on any other format. FYI, both the Porcupine Tree songs and Tears for Fears album was mixed by Steven Wilson who is considered to be one of the best 5.1/Dolby Atmos mixers in the world.

I watched the film Dune for the first time on Blu-ray last weekend, and it has a stunning, reference quality Dolby Atmos track with clear height effects throughout the film.

So I think much of the Dolby Atmos listening experience on the Arc will not only depend on your room setup and finding that sweet spot for your primary listening position, but also your source. The examples I mentioned above are top-tier Dolby Atmos sources. If you can find/acquire Atmos sources with the best, most discrete mixes, your listening experience should greatly improve.

I believe others when they say they hear height, my problem is I don't. Would agree source material is important but I want to watch movies not demo’s. Have Dune 2021 on order and will report back but am not hopeful as every other “ recommended “ movie so far has been disappointing. Of course rooms are important, but mine and M.L.P match closely to others reporting good height which remains a mystery to me.

@peta Try moving your MLP to 7.5 feet away from the Arc rather than 6.5 feet and see if you notice a difference.

Hi thanks for the above suggestion. MLP started at 8 ft when first installed moving forward in 6 inch increments retuning each time finally arriving at 6 ft 6 inch. Never once heard much in the way of height, maybe a suspicion here and there but that's it. As for Dune 2021, watched on 4K UHD disc last evening, with 2 other persons present. Great 5.1 sound track I admit but nothing heard from above from start to finish by anyone in the room. As its unlikely we are all deaf I can only conclude there's nothing there to hear!  Will probably move the MLP backwards in the future as I feel too close at present to the TV.screen for comfortable viewing. Thanks again for your help.

Do you mind posting photos of your setup that includes the TV, Arc, ceiling, and MLP? I’m just curious to see what your room looks like.