Does Dolby Atmos work with Bluetooth headphones?
If you have heard of
Dolby Atmos
, you probably want to experience that amazing spatial surround sound. The good news is that even without Atmos-enabled devices, you can use your headphones and set up Dolby Atmos for headphones. But will this technology work with anyone? any headphones?
Dolby Atmos certainly works with Bluetooth headphones, but that's actually not the biggest issue. Some credible sources say that high-quality Bluetooth headphones can be used to watch content created with
Dolby Atmos
and can deliver an Atmos-like experience.
Read also :
Windows Sonic vs. Dolby Atmos for Headphones
So, in this article, we are going to expose this question and discuss the general idea of Dolby Atmos for headphones, what it is and how it works. We will also explain how any headphones can be used with this sound technology. Revolutionary Atmos and how to set it up on your PC and Xbox One. Let's get started.
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Understanding Dolby Atmos for Headphones
Before we get into what Dolby Atmos is for headphones, let's first check that we're all on the same page in our understanding of Atmos.
Dolby Atmos is a new sound technology that allows listeners or viewers to enjoy a three-dimensional audio experience. This audio format allows sound to be heard from all angles, including above and behind you.
Dolby Atmos was
originally designed and used in cinemas
, but with advances in technology, Atmos quickly began to meet consumer audio needs and provide sound for home entertainment. Today, Dolby Atmos is widely used in home theaters for watching movies, listening to music and in games.
The biggest difference between traditional surround sound and Dolby Atmos is that Atmos doesn't rely on the speaker
chains
.
Instead, Dolby has created metadata that selects audios based on specific objects in a movie, film, or video game, and positions them in various locations around the listening space. This creates a storyline in which sound reaches you from different angles.
You can either upgrade your sound system setup with Atmos-enabled devices to test out Atmos sound, but if that's not something you can afford to invest in now, then try Dolby Atmos for Headphones is your next best option.
So what is Dolby Atmos for headphones?
Dolby Atmos for headphones is the awesome
surround sound
made available through earphones or headsets. The best part is that you can use absolutely any headset. But obviously the quality of the sound produced in the end will depend on the quality of the headset.
If you're wondering how surround sound can be produced from the two speakers found on a pair of headphones, the answer lies in Dolby Atmos producing spatial sound.
Spatial sound is essentially virtual surround sound. They are audio signals produced in a three-dimensional virtual space. You can hear sounds around you, including above and behind you.
With Dolby Atmos for headphones, movies and movies sound so much better than if you were using the regular TV's built-in speakers. Dolby says their technology creates a 360-degree sound bubble.
Let's see how Dolby Atmos works with headphones.
How Dolby Atmos works with headphones
Traditionally, surround sounds are transmitted through specific channels depending on the number of speakers in the audio system. All of these channels are laid out on a flat plane.
Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, uses the entire 360-degree area of a listening room so sound seems to be coming at you from all directions.
So how is that possible with a pair of headphones flying over your head?
On the one hand, Dolby Atmos for headphones does not depend on the structure of the headphones. It is not about the number of drivers a headphone has (although it may affect the level of sound quality).
It also doesn't depend on whether or not the headphones are compatible with Atmos. This object-based technology depends on the software that creates an enhanced surround sound experience.
Dolby Atmos can work with any standard headset. And despite the very small space available on the headphones, Atmos immerses you in the heart of the action in a movie or video game with exceptional immersive sound.
The software that does the job here is the
Dolby Access app
.This is an application created by Dolby for Windows 10 and Xbox.By setting up Dolby Access on your device, you can plug in your favorite headphones, turn on spatial sound, and experience Dolby Atmos.
In the Microsoft Store, you can get the trial version of the Dolby Access app or opt for the in-app purchase. The trial lasts for 30 days and after that, you can decide to pay and unlock lifetime access. or not.
Once installed, the Dolby Access app will walk you through how to enable Dolby Atmos for headphones. It's a simple process that we've outlined here. So read on for more details.
How to Configure Dolby Atmos for Headphones in Windows 10
To set up Dolby Atmos for headphones on your PC, you must have Windows 10 as your operating system. Then follow these steps to get the Dolby Access app.
Configuring Dolby Atmos for Headphones
Go to the Windows Store. You can either go through
this link
or through your taskbar. For the second route, right click on the sound icon located in the lower right corner of your taskbar. Select
Spatial sound
so
Dolby Atmos for Headphones
(Where
Dolby Access
).
Download the Dolby Atmos app. Once in the list of Dolby Access stores, click on the
To have
button to download the app to your PC.
Once the download is complete, open the
Dolby Access
app and select the
With my headphones
box.
Enabling Spatial Sound for Headphones
1.
Connect your headphones.
Select them from the menu on the right of the screen. Click the
Continue
button. Allow the app to confirm compatibility between your headset and Dolby Atmos. Since you are using Windows 10, each headset will be compatible, although the sound quality will differ from headset to headset.
Note: To set headphones as the default playback choice (if you haven't already), return to the taskbar to make the change. Right-click the sound icon in the lower right corner. To select
playback devices
.Check if your headset is the default choice, if not, select it and click the
Define by default
button.
2. Go to the Dolby Access app again. Click on the
30 day trial
button if you just want the free trial. If you want to buy the app, click the
Buy for $14.99
button.
3. If you select the 30-day trial, a Microsoft Store window will appear next. Click on the
To have
to agree to the store's terms of sale.
4. Return to the Dolby Access window. Select
OK
to download and install additional content for Dolby Access. If this window with the content download prompt does not appear, restart your computer and reopen Dolby Access.
5. When the download is complete, a new window will appear. Select the
Configure PC settings
button.
6. The following window will be lit
Loudspeaker properties.
Go to
Spatial sound
tab.Under
Spatial sound format
, click the drop-down menu and select
Dolby Atmos for Headphones
.To select
Apply
to save changes.
You are ready to go. Dolby Atmos is now set up on your headset.
To start enjoying and testing this Atmos software, return to the Dolby Access app, where you will get a curated list of Atmos compatible videos.
How to Disable Dolby Atmos for Headphones
If for some reason you decide to turn off Dolby Atmos for Headphones before your 30-day trial ends, you can do so through the taskbar. Click the sound icon and adjust the
Spatial sound
to
Disabled
.
How to Set Up Dolby Atmos for Headphones on Xbox One
If you're using this game console, you can enjoy virtualized spatial sound by taking advantage of Dolby Atmos for headphones. It's easy to set up; just follow these steps:
On your Xbox One, go to
Settings
.To select
General
then
Volume &
sound output
.Adjust
Helmet size
to
Dolby Atmos for headphones
.
A
Dolby access
the list of stores will appear. Click on the
Install
button.
In the application window, select
With my headphones
box when asked how you would like to experience Dolby Atmos.
Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the app download.
If you use a
LS50X,
LS35X,
Where
LS20
, everything is now ready. But if you use a
LS30/31
Where
LS40/41,
continue with the following steps.
To select
Using HDMI or Optical Headphones
.
For the LS40/41, be sure to press the
EQ button
until you hear "Stereo", otherwise the surround effect will not sound properly.
That's it, Dolby Atmos for Headphones is now ready to use on your Xbox One.
If you prefer a step-by-step video guide explaining this process of setting up Dolby Atmos for Headphones on Xbox One, watch this video.
Dolby Atmos for headsets with Xbox One (how to set up)
Watch this video
on Youtube
.
Does Dolby Atmos need special headphones?
So far we've established that Dolby Atmos for Headphones is powered by software (the Dolby Access app). This setup was created by Dolby so users like you can work with any pair of headphones standard. You don't need any special sound cards on your PC or additional hardware on Xbox One.
Compatibility between your headset and Dolby Atmos, for example, when using Windows 10, is established by Windows 10, which already has the necessary drivers. The default setting on Windows 10 on a PC means that each connected headset will be compatible with Dolby Atmos.
Now, while any standard pair of headphones can be used to output Atmos sound from a Windows 10 or Xbox One PC, that doesn't mean the sound quality will be the same.
The better quality headset you have, the higher the Atmos sound quality you are likely to experience. Some of the factors that can ensure better Atmos sound quality include multiple drivers and large speaker diaphragm. But overall, any pair of headphones will do the job.
Let's take a look at these different types of headphones that one can use to produce Atmos sound.
Multi-pilot or single-pilot helmets
Multi-driver headphones are special types of headphones designed with a number of small speakers placed in each ear cup. The speakers are strategically positioned to mimic the surround sound speakers used in home theater setups.
As a result, the sound quality produced using these multi-driver headphones should be similar to full home theater sound quality. But some people feel like cramming too many small drivers in one place, it ends up reducing the quality of the sound produced overall. So it all depends on what sounds best in your ears.
A popular example of multi-driver headphones is the
Razer Tiamat Headset
(check price on Amazon)
.
As for single-driver headphones, they enclose only one driver in the earphone. Just like multi-driver headphones, they can also produce Atmos sound, but some would say that single-driver headphones will only offer you not the optimal expansive Atmos sound experience.
Headphones with surround sound and stereo headphones
Headphones with surround sound are designed to produce immersive sound as similar to
home theater
surround sound possible.
These headphones create a virtual surround sound setup that makes you feel like there are a number of speakers all around you. An example is
Razer Kraken 7.1 V2: Gaming headset with 7.1 surround sound
(Amazon link)
.This is one of the most expensive helmets that have a
Virtual 7.1 surround sound
.They are loud and clear and the mic features active noise cancellation allowing for crystal clear communication.
For a more economical option, see the
Jeecoo USB Pro 7.1 Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset
(Amazon link)
.These also have virtual 7.1 surround sound built-in.
The stereo headphones can also output Atmos sound when connected to a Windows 10 or Xbox One PC with Dolby Access installed. The BENGOO G9000 Stereo Gaming Headset is a cost-effective stereo headset compatible with multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, New Xbox One, PC, Nintendo, among others.
Dolby Atmos headphones vs normal headphones
There are headphones that are pre-designed for use with Dolby Atmos. These are what we call Dolby Atmos headphones. Then there are the normal headphones which are obviously not pre-designed for use with Dolby.
As we mentioned before, both of these types of headphones can output Dolby Atmos sound as long as they're connected to a device that has Dolby Access installed.
Sony MDR-HW700DS wireless headphones
(Amazon link) is a good example of Dolby Atmos headphones. It comes with a sound mixing decoder that can handle Dolby Atmos decoding and 9.1 surround sound.
As for normal headphones, see
Cowin E7 Pro
(Amazon link)
.Not only is it affordable, but it also pairs well with Dolby.
Now do you know that Dolby also sells its own headphones that can be used with the Dolby Access app? In fact, they even have non-Dolby headphones called Dimension. And since they are made by the same company that makes Dolby Atmos , you can trust it to work well.
Dolby Atmos with wireless headphones
Now, to focus on wireless headphones, let's look at how they work with Dolby Atmos.
The wireless headphones can be used to output Dolby Atmos sound when using Dolby Access on your Windows 10 PC or Xbox One. This is based on the fact that
Dolby Atmos for headphones supports all headphones
as we have already seen.
Additionally, during the process of setting up the Dolby Access app on your Windows 10 PC, you'll even notice that when it comes time to test your headset connection, one of the default playback choices offered on the app is "
Wireless stereo headphones.
Therefore, it is safe to say that the Dolby Access app can work with wireless headsets as well as wired versions.
That said, there is still the aspect of Bluetooth headphones and whether they support Atmos. Since Bluetooth headphones are a type of wireless headphones, the situation is unclear. How? Users and companies Technology seems to give different opinions on whether Bluetooth headphones work with Dolby Atmos.
First, some
user report
amazing experiences with Dolby Atmos sound when using Bluetooth headphones, while others say the sound is nothing out of the ordinary.
On the other hand,
Engaged
, one of the most trusted tech blogs, has something slightly different to say. In their review of headphones from Dolby, Dimension, Engadget mentions that the Dimension headphones
cannot support Dolby Atmos
based solely on the fact that this pair of headphones rely on Bluetooth. Despite this, they admit that the Bluetooth headphones "provide an almost Atmos-like experience".
So what is our verdict?
The verdict
It's safe to say that wireless headphones (whether Bluetooth-enabled or not) can support Dolby Atmos through the Dolby Access app.Engadget, in the same review above, points out that the headphones produced sound amazing when viewing content created with Dolby Atmos.
Now, the audio from wireless headphones (or any other headphones for that matter) might not necessarily be exactly what you'll hear with Dolby Atmos in your home theater room because, after all, you're still using headphones, and these cannot be compared to stand-alone surround speakers in a room.
Even so, the sound quality is really improved, immersive and unlike anything we've heard before.
Conclusion
Headset and Dolby Atmos compatibility does not depend on the headset itself but on the Dolby Access software. So if you're wondering if Dolby Atmos works with Bluetooth headphones, the simple answer is yes, it does. As for Atmos sound quality is another story.
For Dolby Atmos to work with any pair of headphones, whether Bluetooth-enabled or not, wireless or wired, you must first install the Dolby Access app on your Windows 10 or Xbox One PC and activate Dolby Atmos for headphones.Enjoy your Atmos listening experience.