Homepod Mini or Soundbar w/ woofer that supports Dolby Atmos?

[AMTYVLE]

I own an Apple TV 4k (2017) hooked up to a Samsung Magnolia Smart TV - the sound quality coming from the TV is great but it could be better...sometimes I struggle to hear conversations in certain TV shows and movies now that I live in a bigger home and have a bigger living room. This can happen using all different apps like Hulu, YouTube TV, Pluto TV, etc.

I'm looking in to getting a Soundbar with a woofer so I can hear the TV shows and movies better all the time no matter which app I'm using. I don't want to waste money on a soundbar that does not support Dolby Atmos. From reading Apple's support document online, I see the the Original Homepod supports Dolby Atmos through Home Theater mode but it states the Homepod Mini that is currently for sale does not support Home Theater mode/Dolby Atoms support. I'm confused on why the Homepod that does support this is discontinued.

Can anyone recommend a good soundbar w/ a woofer that supports Dolby Atmos? OR is there a future software update coming to Homepod Mini that will support Home Theater mode/Dolby Atmos? OR maybe an entirely new Homepod in general that replaces the discontinued Homepod? I don't want to rush out and buy a soundbar if Apple plans on releasing new Homepods or software updates to the Mini that will support Home Theater/Dolby Atmos.

What are my options here? Maybe it would be better to just buy a Soundbar w/ Woofer that supports Dolby Atmos and forget the Homepods?

Thanks.

 

[AL2TEACH]

you realize to get Dolby Atmos, you need at least 5.1.2 speaker set up through regular speakers and etc...or a soundbar. you can search what's needed for Dolby Atmos on the web or YouTube. banish the HomePod mini from your mind, lol. I have two HomePods and luv em but at this time, they will not suffice for Dolby Atmos.

 

[pdmpolishing]

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage has Dolby Atmos and has built in woofers so you don’t need a separate subwoofer.

 

[HDFan]

you realize to get Dolby Atmos, you need at least 5.1.2

Assuming the "2" is for 2 ceiling speakers that is what I used to think as well. However there definitely is a difference listening to an Apple Spacial Music track vs a non-spatial one using headphones. Not sure what a minimum speaker configuration is to experience atmos.

 

[JeffPerrin]

Not saying that sound bars with built-in atmos speakers can't sound good... but true surround speakers (ie. to the side or behind you) take the home theater experience to the next level!

 

[oneMadRssn]

Not saying that sound bars with built-in atmos speakers can't sound good... but true surround speakers (ie. to the side or behind you) take the home theater experience to the next level!

Very true. I used to have a proper 5.1 home theater system, with 5 speakers, a big sub, and an AVR and all. I recently "sidegraded" to a Sonos ARC system with the sub and surrounds. It's technically a 5.2.1 because it has dedicated up-firing Atmos speakers. And it works, kinda, but not really. I have the exact right kind of ceiling for it - no slope, flat, perfect for bouncing sound. If I close my eyes, it's clear the atmos sound is coming from the front, and not from above. Also, the stereo separation is not as good as it was with the dedicated speakers. However, I am still happy with it and I think it overall sounds more than good enough.

 

[Roy Hobbs]

Any decent soundbar with a sub will sound better than a pair of Homepod minis.
Sonos Arc with sub and 2 surrounds is my recommendation for a soundbar

 

[AL2TEACH]

Assuming the "2" is for 2 ceiling speakers that is what I used to think as well. However there definitely is a difference listening to an Apple Spacial Music track vs a non-spatial one using headphones. Not sure what a minimum speaker configuration is to experience atmos.

many articles on "minimum speaker configuration is to experience atmos". I have yet to try Spacial Music.

 

[HDFan]

many articles on "minimum speaker configuration is to experience atmos"

Have never seen any comparison of:

1. Full Atmos (4 or more ceiling speakers)

2. Reflective Atmos (upward firing speakers)

3. Simulated Atmos 5.1

4. Simulated Atmos 2 speaker stereo

5. Simulated Atmos soundbar

5. Headphones

I can hear the difference between Spatial Audio and non-spatial with headphones. The result is sometimes great, sometimes awful. I expect that you can hear the difference with (1). [Because of Pandemic delays my Atmos ceiling speakers have been on backorder for almost 4 months now so can't actually compare. Should arrive finally next week.]

 

[DeepIn2U]

Would be nice to get a Dolby Atmos solution for Soundbar + speakers and not have to pay $2K for it.