TV with Dolby Atmos Set Up

[hazriqpedia]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to upgrade my TV to: Samsung's QLED 4K Q65C and the aim is to have a Dolby Atmos sound via the old Apple TV 4K and Stereo Homepods.

However, the TV itself is not supporting Dolby Atmos. Will that be a problem?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MacManiac76]

It shouldn't be an issue. The AppleTV 4K will allow you to select the stereo HomePods as the default audio source when it sees them setup and powered on. It's not going to sound like a true Dolby Atmos speaker setup, but the HomePods do still put out some amazing surround sound.

 

[priitv8]

When you watch streamed content (aTV+, Netflix etc) directly on appleTV 4K, then TV's sound capabilities play zero role.
Only if you want to pass Atmos through your TV from say, a bluray-player connected to one of its HDMI inputs, to aTV (then eARC becomes a must), must the TV be able to do that.
But then again, only the latest appleTV is able to receive audio from TV (via eARC) and send it forward to HomePods.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Post #2 is correct in that your TV not supporting ATMOS has no effect on being able to enjoy ATMOS sound. Why? Because your plan is basically redirecting the audio signal before it even gets to the TV: AppleTV audio to HPs and video to TV. The TV has- in effect- no say in the matter.

Real ATMOS involves many speakers spread around the seating area, including some overhead. You can't get it with HPs or any other pair or single speakers (regardless of what it says on a box or in the marketing).

If you want the real thing, think ATMOS receiver and at least a surround sound setup (real surround sound, not the faux kind pitched on soundbar or stereo speakers boxes/marketing). If you are able, get some speakers overhead too. There are no movie theaters in the world with only a HP or two down front. Go watch any movie and before the lights go down, take a good look around. You'll see physical speakers down front, to your sides, behind you and probably overhead. Why do theaters spend all that money if a couple of relatively cheap HPs can deliver ATMOS? (rhetorical- the answer should be obvious).

As also offered in post #2: HPs sound great. But they are stereo when paired... with no current- nor rumored- way to make them more than that. They will sound farrrrrrrrrrr better than the TVs built-in speakers but can't compete with a good surround sound setup (anyone's ears should be able to tell the difference). I think of HPs as best at their original intent: speakers for music, especially in places where it may not be easy to work in traditional stereo and speaker setups.

This "make them home theater speakers" (too) push is Apple fans striving for something that is fundamentally limited from the start. If Apple really intended to get into THAT business, there would be a center speaker HP, a HP subwoofer, surround HPs, etc. Apple likes money. That would sell many more HP speakers. But Apple has shown no interest... nor are there even ANY rumors to imply "maybe someday."

Real surround sound has been in home theaters since the early 1990s. If you want it, you can have the real thing. It won't even have to cost much more than a single good Mac or iPhone PRO purchase for a great, basic setup. Unlike that Mac or iPhone, speakers typically last 20+ years, sounding as good in year 20 as they do in year 1. You might spend 2X-3X or more on Mac or iPhone after Mac or iPhone (after Mac or iPhone) in that same timetable.

The point: consider putting some Apple-like money on this LONG USEFUL LIFE purchase you will enjoy for probably a few decades. Current gen HPs will probably be made software obsolete within only a few years (note how Gen 2 can't even stereo pair with Gen 1 from just a few years ago).

However, audio is an "ear of the beholder" thing. If HP stereo (and heavy walled garden "lockdown") makes you happy, enjoy them.

 

[ColdCase]

If you want the real thing, think ATMOS receiver and at least a surround sound setup (real surround sound, not the faux kind pitched on soundbar or stereo speakers boxes/marketing). If you are able, get some speakers overhead too. There are no movie theaters in the world with only a HP or two down front. Go watch any movie and before the lights go down, take a good look around. You'll see physical speakers down front, to your sides, behind you and probably overhead. Why do theaters spend all that money if a couple of relatively cheap HPs can deliver ATMOS? (rhetorical- the answer should be obvious).

As also offered in post #2: HPs sound great. But they are stereo when paired... with no current- nor rumored- way to make them more than that. They will sound farrrrrrrrrrr better than the TVs built-in speakers but can't compete with a good surround sound setup (anyone's ears should be able to tell the difference). I think of HPs as best at their original intent: speakers for music, especially in places where it may not be easy to work in traditional stereo and speaker setups.

This^^^

Why bother with ATMOS if you don't have the speaker and audio system to support it, unless thats in some future plan. HomePod stereo would be good enough for you and the ATV will stream to them nicely.

I have a home theater surround system in one room and use HomePods in another. The sound, even for stereo, is dramatically different, HomePods are very good but pale in comparison.

Be careful about a TV that doesn't support a feature you want and and AppleTV, like ATMOS. In spite of marketing and success stories in the most part, the web is full of disaster stories.

For best results, and long lasting enjoyment, use a AppleTV connected to a full featured receiver system with several speakers and a big subwoofer for audio that passes through video to your TV. When your viewing space doesn't support that, then you compromise to the best practical. Stereo may be the best practical, but still very good.

My spouse does not have a critical ear, is happy with the AppleTV and HomePod sound. In fact she doesn't mind the TV speakers.

Sound and video is subjective, there is nothing like auditioning the sound before investment.

 

[AL2TEACH]

Posts #3&4 are correct.

old Apple TV 4K and Stereo Homepods.

You will only get stereo and not Dolby Atmos for the reasons stated. If your Apple TV is not the newer one, you will not get HDR 10+, I think.

 

[chadamorrill]

The above posts are accurate, however, it sounds like you already have the AppleTV and Homepods. If that's the case, I can vouch for stereo Homepods. I decided that ease of setup/use, ecosystem, and music playback outweighed a slight knock on movie sound reproduction for our once-a-month-if-that family movie nights. No, it's not the same as a full receiver+speaker setup, but paired with the right movie, they simulate surround sound pretty well.

Same as @AL2TEACH, though... Verify your version of Apple TV is the 4k 3rd generation. If it's 2nd, you won't get HDR10+.

Also, check out rtings . com, if you haven't already. There's loads of reviews on TV's. Samsung makes some great TV's for sure, but you'd be surprised at what's out there that may be better bang for your buck.