I doubt most sound bars are up to snuff for most people to really hear a difference, especially if they're not doing an A/B comparison.
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Netflix Gains High-Quality Audio
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I doubt most sound bars are up to snuff for most people to really hear a difference, especially if they're not doing an A/B comparison.
Idk. I also have a Samsung soundbar that delivers Atmos. Sounds freaking amazing! Best so far would be Ready Player One - especially during the first race. Daaaamn!
In Atmos it sounds amazing. But 5.1 is on the softer side of things.
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Depends on the sound mode. If I do “movie”, it’s a bit on the softer side. If I do “standard”, it gets punchy and loud. Depends on my mood at the time which one I choose.
I guess you could be impressed by soundbars if you haven't heard a real system. I had a 5.1 soundbar setup and it didn't last long. I just couldn't take it. I've demoed some other soundbar setups but I have a very low opinion of them.
Eventually I replaced it with a receiver and a cheaper 5.1 small speaker system by energy take classic and it was a night and day difference. A million times better than the stupid soundbar.
And even that 5.1 setup(I also added height speakers to it) sounds like crap compared to my real home theater system I run downstairs. And I think in total I maybe spent $1k on that entire setup. Denon x3300w, JBL studio series floor standing speakers, center, sub. And large yamaha bookshelf speakers ceiling mounted for surrounds and heights.
I used to do setups like that. Was somewhat of a hobby (an expensive one! Ha). They always sound better than soundbars, but as I get older, simplicity and convenience are valued.
Now, I still have my dream home theater for when I win the lotto! Theater room built from the ground up. Cosmic theme. Super comfy chairs. The best in video and audio delivery. Oh, and a popcorn cart!
I have a 1080p projector, an Apple TV 4K, and a Dolby Atmos compatible receiver (Marantz, 2018), with a 5.1 setup using wired bookshelf speakers, but no ceiling or reflective speakers or intent to get them.
Simple question: Will I get better, higher quality, 5.1 sound if I upgrade to Netflix Premium from Standard without going with the extra speakers? IOW, aside from getting Atmos, which I can’t use, is the upgrade worth it for general sound improvement?
Unrelated question: Someone said here that Apple TV doesn’t have surround sound with Hulu. Is this true, and if so, does Hulu on Roku or a Sony BlueRay have surround sound?
Thanks.
Simple question: Will I get better, higher quality, 5.1 sound if I upgrade to Netflix Premium from Standard without going with the extra speakers? IOW, aside from getting Atmos, which I can’t use, is the upgrade worth it for general sound improvement?
Unrelated question: Someone said here that Apple TV doesn’t have surround sound with Hulu. Is this true, and if so, does Hulu on Roku or a Sony BlueRay have surround sound?
Thanks.
There is a great deal of controversy about whether sound is reproduced better at higher bitrates. That is only something you can decide. If I understand Netflix's price structure correctly the higher bitrates in 5.1 are available for all streaming plans. You only need the premium plan to get 4K and Atmos. If you don't have Atmos speakers I'm not sure it is worth the additional expense.
You are correct. I did a chat session with Netflix Help today, asking about this, and this is the answer I received, which is the same as yours.
Jasmine Netflix:
For this, you do not have to worry. On our new updates you really do not need to change your plan. Right now devices streaming with 5.1 audio or Dolby Atmos will automatically receive high-quality audio.
High-quality audio is automatically available to all of our members on any membership plan.
Please make sure to set up your Streaming quality to High or Auto.
Please take note that not all shows will be available for the 5.1 and dolby atmos. but there will be a logo on the show if it is available.
You may also filter those shows by using the keyword 5.1 or Dolby Atmos when you search shows.
Maybe I should introduce myself. Professional audio engineer here. I’d be happy to give you a double blind and watch you get it wrong 50% of the time too.