Dolby Atmos vs 5.1: is it worth upgrading?
The 5.1 system has been the standard of home surround sound for years. Simple, widespread and compatible with most content, it has enabled millions of people to bring home cinema.
But with the arrival of Dolby Atmos, the question is inevitable: should one upgrade one’s system?
What is a 5.1 system
A 5.1 system is based on 6 audio channels:
- 3 frontals (left, middle, right),
- 2 rear (left and right surround),
- 1 subwoofer for low frequencies.
The sound is distributed over fixed channels, and each effect is assigned to one of them. This ensures a coherent and immersive sound scene, but limited to the horizontal plane.
What is Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos introduces a different approach: no longer just channels, but sound objects that can move freely in three-dimensional space, even above the listener.
Atmos is scalable: it starts with configurations such as the 5.1.2 and goes up to 7.1.4, up to systems with dozens of speakers in movie theaters.
Comparison table: Dolby Atmos vs 5.1
| Feature | 5.1 Traditional | Dolby Atmos |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Fixed channels (6 channels) | Independent sound objects |
| Vertical dimension | No | Yes (speaker height or upfiring) |
| Immersion | Good, on the horizontal plane | Total, three-dimensional 360° |
| Scalability | Limited (5.1 / 7.1) | 5.1.2 to large movie theaters |
| Compatibility | DVD, digital TV, Blu-ray, streaming | Streaming (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+), Blu-ray UHD, gaming, music |
| Listening experience | Engaging but “flat” | Realistic, dynamic and enveloping |
Is it worth upgrading?
It depends on how you use your system:
- If you mainly watch traditional TV or DVD, a 5.1 is still good and more than sufficient.
- If, on the other hand, you love streaming movies, series, and games, Atmos is now the mixing standard-much content is natively produced in Atmos and offers a noticeable leap in quality.
- With a 5.1.2 system you can already enter the Atmos world without completely revolutionizing your system.
Conclusion
5.1 made the history of home audio, but today Dolby Atmos represents the future.
Upgrading means not only getting more realistic and immersive sound, but also aligning with the standard by which movies, music and video games are already created.
At Garvan Acoustic, we integrate Dolby Atmos into bespoke, elegant, Made in Italy systems designed to transform your room into a true cinematic experience.
Emotions are a fundamental part of every living being’s life. Sound and design are, for me, some of the most powerful means to generate and convey them. To share this passion, I co-founded Garvan in 2005 with Andrea Martelli.
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