Even though Dolby Atmos was first launched in 2012, it has now only become very popular with gamers worldwide (possibly because it’s a lot cheaper than it was). However, that’s likely mainly because in 2017, Dolby Atmos was introduced to the Xbox One and PCs. One thing is clear though: gamers like yourself love excellent audio quality.
So, what is Dolby Atmos? How does it work? And, more importantly, how do you get the best Dolby Atmos settingsfor your Xbox? Today, all these questions will be answered as we deep dive into Dolby Atmos technology and provide you with clear instructions on how to get the most out of this revolutionary spatial audio technology. Ready to experience gaming like never before? Let’s begin!
Updated July 31st, 2024 by Kenny Kimberly:We love getting the most out of our Xbox, and we know you love the same thing. We’ve come back to highlight some information, add a bit more to this piece, and brush the dust off. Enjoy!
What Is Dolby Atmos?
When first hearing about Dolby Atmos, you might assume it’s 5.1 surround sound audio. You would be partially correct. Dolby Atmos’s basic setup uses the same configuration as traditional 5.1 surround sound, with left, right, center, and rear speakers. However, the setup can be expanded with additional height channels (overhead speakers or speakers positioned on the floor to project sound to reflect off the ceiling). In other words, there aren’t vertical or horizontal limitations.
This is because Dolby Atmos provides accurate spatial audio, and this is primarily achieved by using object-based audio rather than channel-based audio (which is what 5.1 surround sound uses). With gaming, each sound in the game is treated as its own sound source in the 3D environment. Furthermore, each audio object has its own metadata that’s processed by the software andDolby-enabled speakersto render that sound in real-time based on the number and placement of your speakers.
If you have headphones, you can access Dolby Atmos For Headphones, which uses Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) and dynamic object-based audio rendering to simulate a virtual surround sound experience, much like if you had a 5.1/7.1 speaker setup.
What Do You Need For Dolby Atmos?
First, if you want to use Dolby Atmos with speakers, you’ll need a television or monitor with an HDMI eARC port. Dolby Atmos audio is encoded with Dolby TrueHD, which requires a high bandwidth, and it’s also needed for the metadata to be decoded. You’ll also need an Atmos-enabled soundbar or speaker setup. The speakers themselves decode and render Dolby Atmos content and have also been designed to allow sound to reflect at different angles, specifically an upwards firing speaker, for example.
If you want to enable Dolby Atmos For Headphones, you’ll need:
Setting Up Dolby Atmos On Your Xbox
If you have everything listed above, then you’re ready to begin. There are two methods to set up Dolby Atmos, which are foryour speakers and your headphones.
To enable Dolby Atmos for headphones, do this:
General Dolby Atmos Settings
So, what are the best settings for Dolby Atmos on your Xbox? This really depends on what you want to achieve. The Dolby Access app has a variety of presets to choose from, such as:
Game
This preset is excellent if you want a competitive edge. The background sounds are reduced, and footsteps are much easier to hear. It allows you to locate the source of sounds quickly. There’s even a performance mode option that further reduces unnecessary noises and will enable you to focus on footsteps or character-created sounds.
Movie
You’d typically use this preset for enhanced bass sounds and improved clarity for dialogue, so you don’t miss anything a character is saying. It also works well for single-player games to get you right in the action.
Music
The music preset is interesting because it kind of separates the various instruments and helps to optimize the clarity for each note playing. It’s also a great option for increasing bass, but not to the point where the bass drowns everything out.
Voice
If you’re playing a single-player game that is more narrative-driven or you’re listening to a podcast, the voice preset helps eliminate distracting background noise and emphasizes the quality of voices. A fantastic option if you want to concentrate more on what is being said.
The app also provides three slots for custom equalizer settings, allowing you to create your own personalized sound. This, of course, requires some testing, but the process can be pretty cathartic. There are many videos detailing the perfect settings, but it really depends on your personal preference. So, play around and find out what works for you.
Optimizing Dolby Atmos Settings
You can tweak a few things to get the most out of your Dolby Atmos experience. For example:
In terms of a custom equalizer profile, this is a good starting point to begin tweaking from:
This is because it covers the largest range of frequencies typically used in movies, series, and games, meaning you’ll get the best sound clarity and the most comprehensive range of sounds. You can change these settings on-the-fly, and compare them to the default presets to get an idea of how different it sounds.
Is Atmos Worth It?
More than anything, is all this hassle worth it? The answer for us is absolutely.
Dolby Atmos can provide richer, more immersive sound to your audio experience. There’s no use-case scenario where Atmos won’t drastically improve your experience. We recommend buying a high-quality soundbar to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your new settings. While tweaking the settings can feel like a headache, you’ll only need to do it once and your sound will be better forever.
