{"id":82960,"date":"2026-08-31T07:36:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T05:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/ratgeber\/allgemein\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T16:59:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T14:59:02","slug":"what-is-dolby-atmos","status":"publish","type":"ratgeber","link":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Dolby Atmos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.fa-article{\n--fa-font:\"Figtree\",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\n--fa-accent:#F63D28;\n--fa-accent-hover:#066A6D;\n--fa-badge-bg:linear-gradient(100deg,#E07444 0%,#F63D28 100%);\n--fa-badge-fg:#ffffff;\n--fa-badge-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.38);\n--fa-ink:#000000;\n--fa-ink-soft:#3d4b50;\n--fa-surface:#F4F0E8;\n--fa-border:#e3ddd0;\n--fa-radius:6px 0 6px 0;\n--fa-radius-soft:0 6px 0 0;\n--fa-badge-radius:6px;\n--fa-intro-color:#000000;\n--fa-toc-link:#000000;\n--fa-link:#066A6D;\n--fa-link-hover:#043E51;\n--fa-hl-bg:#066A6D;\n--fa-hl-fg:#ffffff;\n--fa-hl-title:#F4F0E8;\n--fa-hl-mark:#F4F0E8;\n--fa-hl-border:0;\n--fa-hl-radius:0;\n--fa-pro:#066A6D;\n--fa-con:#B82E1E;\n--fa-h2-pad-top:1.1rem;\n--fa-h2-bar-display:block;\n--fa-h2-bar-bg:linear-gradient(100deg,#E07444 0%,#F63D28 100%);\n--fa-rule:#F63D28;\n--fa-h1-weight:700;\n--fa-h1-size:2.4rem;\n--fa-h2-color:#000000;\nmax-width:780px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 1rem;font-family:var(--fa-font);font-weight:400;color:var(--fa-ink);line-height:1.7;font-size:1rem}\n.fa-article *,.fa-article *::before,.fa-article *::after{box-sizing:border-box}\n.fa-breadcrumb{font-size:.75rem;color:var(--fa-ink-soft);margin-bottom:1.25rem;margin-top:1rem;line-height:1.4}\n.fa-breadcrumb a{color:var(--fa-ink-soft);text-decoration:none}\n.fa-breadcrumb a:hover{color:var(--fa-accent)}\n.fa-breadcrumb span[aria-current]{color:var(--fa-accent);font-weight:700}\n.fa-cat{display:inline-block;font-size:.78rem;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--fa-badge-fg);background:var(--fa-badge-bg);text-shadow:var(--fa-badge-shadow);margin-top:.5rem;margin-bottom:1.25rem;padding:.45rem .95rem;border-radius:var(--fa-badge-radius)}\n.fa-article h1{font-weight:var(--fa-h1-weight);font-size:var(--fa-h1-size);letter-spacing:-.035em;line-height:1.15;color:var(--fa-ink);margin:0 0 .75rem}\n.fa-meta{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:.5rem;font-size:.8rem;color:var(--fa-ink-soft);margin-bottom:1.5rem;flex-wrap:wrap}\n.fa-meta time{color:var(--fa-ink-soft)}\n.fa-meta .fa-sep{color:var(--fa-border)}\n.fa-meta .fa-readtime{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:.25rem}\n.fa-meta .fa-readtime::before{content:\"\";display:inline-block;width:14px;height:14px;border:1.5px solid var(--fa-accent);border-radius:50%;background:transparent;position:relative}\n.fa-hero{margin:0 0 2rem}\n.fa-hero img{width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover;display:block;border-radius:var(--fa-radius)}\n.fa-toc{background:var(--fa-surface);border-left:3px solid var(--fa-rule);padding:1.25rem 1.5rem;margin-bottom:2rem;border-radius:var(--fa-radius-soft)}\n.fa-toc-title{font-size:.85rem;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;color:var(--fa-ink);margin:0 0 .75rem}\n.fa-toc ol{margin:0;padding:0 0 0 1.25rem;list-style:decimal}\n.fa-toc li{margin-bottom:.4rem;font-size:.9rem;line-height:1.4}\n.fa-toc a{color:var(--fa-toc-link);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid transparent;transition:border-color .2s,color .2s}\n.fa-toc a:hover{color:var(--fa-accent);border-bottom-color:var(--fa-accent)}\n.fa-article .fa-intro{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.8;color:var(--fa-intro-color);margin:0 0 1.25rem}\n.fa-article .fa-intro:last-of-type{margin-bottom:2rem}\n.fa-highlight{background:var(--fa-hl-bg);color:var(--fa-hl-fg);border-radius:var(--fa-hl-radius);padding:1.5rem 1.75rem;margin-bottom:2.5rem;border:var(--fa-hl-border)}\n.fa-highlight-title{font-size:.8rem;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;color:var(--fa-hl-title);margin:0 0 .75rem;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:.5rem}\n.fa-highlight-title::before{content:\"\\2605\";font-size:1rem;color:var(--fa-hl-mark);flex-shrink:0}\n.fa-highlight ul{margin:0;padding:0 0 0 1.25rem;list-style:none}\n.fa-highlight li{position:relative;padding-left:.25rem;margin-bottom:.5rem;font-size:.95rem;line-height:1.5;color:var(--fa-hl-fg)}\n.fa-highlight li::before{content:\"\\2713\";position:absolute;left:-1.25rem;color:var(--fa-hl-mark);font-weight:700}\n.fa-article h2{font-weight:700;font-size:1.65rem;letter-spacing:-.035em;line-height:1.25;color:var(--fa-h2-color);margin:2.5rem 0 1rem;padding-top:var(--fa-h2-pad-top);scroll-margin-top:100px;position:relative}\n.fa-article h2::before{content:\"\";display:var(--fa-h2-bar-display);position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:52px;height:5px;background:var(--fa-h2-bar-bg)}\n.fa-article h3{font-weight:700;font-size:1.15rem;letter-spacing:0;line-height:1.35;color:var(--fa-ink);margin:1.75rem 0 .75rem;scroll-margin-top:100px}\n.fa-article section[id]{scroll-margin-top:100px}\n.fa-article p{margin:0 0 1.25rem;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.7}\n.fa-article strong{font-weight:700}\n.fa-article .fa-content a{color:var(--fa-link);text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-underline-offset:2px;transition:color .2s}\n.fa-article .fa-content a:hover{color:var(--fa-link-hover)}\n.fa-article .fa-content ul,.fa-article .fa-content ol{margin:0 0 1.25rem;padding:0 0 0 1.5rem}\n.fa-article .fa-content li{margin-bottom:.4rem;line-height:1.6}\n.fa-article .fa-content figure{margin:1.5rem 0;padding:0}\n.fa-article .fa-content figure img{width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover;display:block;border-radius:var(--fa-radius)}\n.fa-article .fa-content figcaption{font-size:.75rem;color:var(--fa-ink-soft);margin-top:.5rem;font-style:italic}\n.fa-table-wrap{overflow-x:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;margin:1.5rem 0}\n.fa-article table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.9rem;min-width:480px}\n.fa-article thead{background:var(--fa-surface)}\n.fa-article th{text-align:left;font-weight:700;padding:.65rem .75rem;border-bottom:2px solid var(--fa-accent);font-size:.85rem}\n.fa-article td{padding:.6rem .75rem;border-bottom:1px solid var(--fa-border);vertical-align:top}\n.fa-article tbody tr:last-child td{border-bottom:none}\n.fa-table-summary{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--fa-ink-soft);margin:.5rem 0 1.5rem;font-style:italic}\n.fa-infobox{background:var(--fa-surface);border-left:3px solid var(--fa-rule);padding:1.25rem 1.5rem;margin:1.5rem 0;border-radius:var(--fa-radius-soft);font-size:.95rem}\n.fa-infobox strong{display:block;margin-bottom:.35rem;font-size:.85rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;color:var(--fa-accent)}\n.fa-faq{margin:2.5rem 0;border-top:1px solid var(--fa-border);padding-top:1.5rem}\n.fa-faq-title{font-weight:var(--fa-h1-weight);font-size:1.65rem;letter-spacing:-.035em;color:var(--fa-h2-color);margin:0 0 1.25rem}\n.fa-faq-item{border-bottom:1px solid var(--fa-border)}\n.fa-faq-q{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;width:100%;padding:1rem 0;font-size:1rem;font-weight:400;color:var(--fa-ink);cursor:pointer;background:none;border:none;font-family:inherit;text-align:left;line-height:1.4;gap:1rem}\n.fa-faq-q::after{content:\"+\";font-size:1.25rem;font-weight:300;color:var(--fa-accent);flex-shrink:0;transition:transform .25s}\n.fa-faq-q[aria-expanded=\"true\"]::after{transform:rotate(45deg)}\n.fa-faq-a{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:max-height .3s ease}\n.fa-faq-a-inner{padding:0 0 1rem;font-size:.95rem;line-height:1.7;color:var(--fa-ink-soft)}\n.fa-sources{margin:2rem 0 3rem;border-top:1px solid var(--fa-border);padding-top:1rem}\n.fa-sources-toggle{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:.5rem;background:none;border:none;font-family:inherit;font-size:.85rem;font-weight:700;color:var(--fa-ink-soft);cursor:pointer;padding:.5rem 0;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em}\n.fa-sources-toggle::after{content:\"\\25BC\";font-size:.6rem;transition:transform .25s}\n.fa-sources-toggle[aria-expanded=\"true\"]::after{transform:rotate(180deg)}\n.fa-sources-list{max-height:0;overflow:hidden;transition:max-height .35s ease}\n.fa-sources-list ol{margin:.75rem 0 0;padding:0 0 0 1.25rem;font-size:.8rem;line-height:1.6;color:var(--fa-ink-soft)}\n.fa-sources-list li{margin-bottom:.35rem}\n.fa-sources-list a{color:var(--fa-link);text-decoration:none;word-break:break-all}\n.fa-sources-list a:hover{color:var(--fa-link-hover);text-decoration:underline}\n.fa-procon{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:1rem;margin:1.5rem 0}\n.fa-procon>div{background:var(--fa-surface);border:1px solid var(--fa-border);padding:1.15rem 1.35rem;border-radius:var(--fa-radius)}\n.fa-procon strong{display:block;margin-bottom:.6rem;font-size:.85rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em}\n.fa-procon .fa-pro strong{color:var(--fa-pro)}\n.fa-procon .fa-con strong{color:var(--fa-con)}\n.fa-procon ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;font-size:.95rem;line-height:1.6}\n.fa-procon li{position:relative;padding-left:1.4rem;margin-bottom:.45rem}\n.fa-procon li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}\n.fa-procon .fa-pro li::before{content:\"\\2713\";position:absolute;left:0;color:var(--fa-pro);font-weight:700}\n.fa-procon .fa-con li::before{content:\"\\2013\";position:absolute;left:0;color:var(--fa-con);font-weight:700}\n.fa-procon .fa-procon-col p{display:block;margin:0 0 .6rem;font-size:.85rem;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em}\n.fa-procon .fa-procon-col:first-child p{color:var(--fa-pro)}\n.fa-procon .fa-procon-col:last-child p{color:var(--fa-con)}\n.fa-procon .fa-procon-col:first-child li::before{content:\"\\2713\";position:absolute;left:0;color:var(--fa-pro);font-weight:700}\n.fa-procon .fa-procon-col:last-child li::before{content:\"\\2013\";position:absolute;left:0;color:var(--fa-con);font-weight:700}\n@media(max-width:600px){\n.fa-article h1{font-size:1.75rem}\n.fa-article h2{font-size:1.35rem}\n.fa-meta{flex-direction:column;align-items:flex-start;gap:.25rem}\n.fa-procon{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:.75rem}\n}\n@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){\n.fa-article *{transition:none !important}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<article class=\"fa-article\">\n\n  <nav class=\"fa-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Brotkr\u00fcmelnavigation\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/\">Home<\/a> \u203a\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/ratgeber\/\">Guide<\/a> \u203a\n    <span aria-current=\"page\">What is Dolby Atmos?<\/span>\n  <\/nav>\n\n  <span class=\"fa-cat\">Setting up &#038; connecting your TV<\/span>\n\n  <h1>What is Dolby Atmos?<\/h1>\n\n  <div class=\"fa-meta\">\n    <span>By Faller Audio Editorial Team<\/span>\n    <span class=\"fa-sep\">|<\/span>\n    <time datetime=\"2026-08-31\">Updated on August 31, 2026<\/time>\n    <span class=\"fa-sep\">|<\/span>\n    <span class=\"fa-readtime\">5 min read<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <figure class=\"fa-hero\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Audiowelle.jpg\" alt=\"Audiowelle\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\n  <\/figure>\n\n  <nav class=\"fa-toc\" aria-label=\"Inhaltsverzeichnis\" role=\"navigation\">\n    <p class=\"fa-toc-title\" id=\"toc-heading\">Contents<\/p>\n    <ol aria-labelledby=\"toc-heading\">\n      <li><a href=\"#was-ist-dolby-atmos\">What is Dolby Atmos?<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#wiedergabe\">Playback in the living room<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#weg-zum-fernseher\">The path to the television<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#dialoge\">Significance for dialogue<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#faq\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n    <\/ol>\n  <\/nav>\n\n  <p class=\"fa-intro\">Dolby Atmos is an audio format that expands classic multi-channel sound with a height layer and freely positionable audio objects. In addition to fixed channel groups, individual sound elements can be provided with positional information. The playback device uses this to calculate how the sound is output via the available speakers.  <\/p>\n\n  <p class=\"fa-intro\">The designation is now found on many televisions, soundbars, headphones, and even smartphones. However, how Dolby Atmos is reproduced in these devices differs significantly. Whether and how strongly the spatial effect is perceptible depends on the speakers, signal processing, and playback environment.  <\/p>\n\n  <aside class=\"fa-highlight\" aria-label=\"Zusammenfassung\">\n    <p class=\"fa-highlight-title\">Highlight Box<\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>Dolby Atmos combines channel-based audio with audio objects that can be arranged in three-dimensional space via positional data.<\/li>\n      <li>A height layer is added to the familiar channels, recognizable by specifications such as 5.1.2 or 7.1.4.<\/li>\n      <li>This can be reproduced via ceiling speakers, upward-firing speakers, soundbars, or headphones.<\/li>\n      <li>Depending on the encoding used, Dolby Atmos can be transmitted via HDMI ARC or eARC. eARC is primarily required for high-bitrate and lossless Atmos soundtracks. <\/li>\n      <li>However, the format only has an indirect effect on the intelligibility of dialogue.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/aside>\n\n  <div class=\"fa-content\">\n\n    <section id=\"was-ist-dolby-atmos\">\n      <h2 id=\"h2-was-ist-dolby-atmos\">What is Dolby Atmos?<\/h2>\n      <p>Older surround formats such as Dolby Digital work with fixed channels. In a 5.1 system, for example, there are six of them. During mixing, every sound is assigned to one of these channels. Dolby Atmos builds on this principle and expands it in two aspects.   <\/p>\n\n      <h3>Channel groups and objects side by side<\/h3>\n      <p>Dolby describes its format as a combination of two components. The foundation is formed by fixed channel groups, also known in technical jargon as beds. These usually exist in a 7.1.2 arrangement. This is where everything that does not need to move, such as background atmosphere or music, is placed.   <\/p>\n      <p>This is supplemented by audio objects. These are individual sound elements that can be placed in the room independently of the channel groups. They carry positional data in the form of coordinates, including information on the size of the object. An airplane flying through the frame is a typical example of such an object.    <\/p>\n      <p>During playback, a so-called renderer takes over the work. It adapts the playback to the existing speaker configuration. An Atmos soundtrack can therefore be played on systems with different equipment, although the spatial effect differs significantly depending on the number and arrangement of the speakers.  <\/p>\n\n      <h3>The layer above your head<\/h3>\n      <p>The second difference is height. Classic surround sound distributes sound to the front, back, and sides\u2014essentially around the listener. Dolby Atmos now adds additional channels above the head, so that a further, third layer is added.   <\/p>\n      <p>This is recognizable by specifications with three numbers. In 5.1.2, the five stands for the speakers all around, the one for the subwoofer, and the two for the height channels. In 7.1.4, it is seven, one, and four respectively.  <\/p>\n      <div class=\"fa-table-wrap\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Vergleich von klassischem Mehrkanalton und Dolby Atmos\" tabindex=\"0\">\n        <table>\n          <thead>\n            <tr>\n              <th scope=\"col\">Feature<\/th>\n              <th scope=\"col\">Classic 5.1 or 7.1 sound<\/th>\n              <th scope=\"col\">Dolby Atmos<\/th>\n            <\/tr>\n          <\/thead>\n          <tbody>\n            <tr>\n              <td>Basic principle<\/td>\n              <td>Sound is assigned to fixed channels<\/td>\n              <td>Combination of channel beds and audio objects<\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n            <tr>\n              <td>Positioning<\/td>\n              <td>Tied to the channel structure<\/td>\n              <td>Objects can be placed in space via positional metadata<\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n            <tr>\n              <td>Height layer<\/td>\n              <td>Not provided for in classic 5.1 or 7.1<\/td>\n              <td>Additional height layer possible<\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n            <tr>\n              <td>Playback<\/td>\n              <td>Mixed for defined channel assignment<\/td>\n              <td>Renderer adapts objects to the existing playback system<\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n          <\/tbody>\n        <\/table>\n      <\/div>\n      <p class=\"fa-table-summary\">Dolby Atmos does not replace classic channels, but supplements them with audio objects and positional information, which the playback device processes to match the set speaker configuration.<\/p>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section id=\"wiedergabe\">\n      <h2 id=\"h2-wiedergabe\">Playback in the living room<\/h2>\n      <p>There are three different options for the height layer. They differ primarily in technical complexity and in how precisely the sound is perceived above the listening position. How well the effect works depends heavily on the respective room and ceiling situation.  <\/p>\n      <ul>\n        <li><strong>Ceiling speakers<\/strong> are located in or on the ceiling and radiate directly downwards. While this creates the most accurate localization, it requires an AV receiver and cables in the ceiling. <\/li>\n        <li><strong>Upward-firing speakers<\/strong> bounce the sound off the ceiling back to the listening position. They can be found as separate speakers or built into soundbars. <\/li>\n        <li><strong>Virtual methods<\/strong> are used in soundbars without their own height speakers. Depending on the design, several speakers and psychoacoustic methods work together. <\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n\n      <h3>Limits of reflection<\/h3>\n      <p>Upward-firing speakers work particularly well when there is a ceiling that is as smooth as possible and sufficiently reflective at a suitable height. Very high, highly absorbent, or sloped ceilings can weaken the height effect because the reflection reaches the listening position less precisely. <\/p>\n      <p>With headphones, the principle works fundamentally differently. There, spatial sound is calculated binaurally for two ears. Acoustic directional cues are simulated so that the sound can be perceived spatially, even though it physically only comes from the headphones.  <\/p>\n\n      <h3>Significance of the labeling<\/h3>\n      <p>The Dolby Atmos labeling indicates that a device also supports the format. How pronounced the spatial and, in particular, the height effect is in practice depends heavily on the system landscape, the speakers, the signal processing, and the room. <\/p>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section id=\"weg-zum-fernseher\">\n      <h2 id=\"h2-weg-zum-fernseher\">The path to the television<\/h2>\n      <p>For an Atmos soundtrack to work, several things must fit together. It is not enough for the television to recognize the format. The source and the connection to the audio device are also important.  <\/p>\n\n      <h3>Source and soundtrack<\/h3>\n      <p>The content itself must be available in Dolby Atmos. This is the case with many streaming services and on 4K media, but by no means with all others. Older films and normal television programs are usually not available in this format. Before setting up the playback chain, you should therefore check which audio format the desired content is actually available in.   <\/p>\n      <p>It should be noted that the information on the packaging often refers to the original version. A localized soundtrack may be in a different format, even if Dolby Atmos is printed on it. <\/p>\n\n      <h3>Transmission to the audio device<\/h3>\n      <p>HDMI is the standard way to connect a television and a soundbar or AV receiver. Dolby Atmos can, for example, be transmitted compressed via Dolby Digital Plus. With suitable devices, this is also possible via HDMI ARC. For high-bitrate and lossless formats such as Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC is the appropriate connection.   <\/p>\n      <p>The optical output is not suitable for this purpose. It was designed for stereo and compressed multi-channel sound and has too little capacity for the formats mentioned here. Anyone setting up an Atmos chain should therefore connect the television and audio device via HDMI.  <\/p>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section id=\"dialoge\">\n      <h2 id=\"h2-dialoge\">Significance for dialogue<\/h2>\n      <p>The question remains as to what the format does for the intelligibility of speech. The answer is twofold. Technically, object-based audio theoretically opens up several possibilities. In practice, however, much depends on how a film or series was produced.   <\/p>\n\n      <h3>Possibilities of object-based transmission<\/h3>\n      <p>Object-based audio fundamentally offers the technical possibility of treating individual components of a mix separately. If the speech is available as a separate component and the playback system supports corresponding personalization, the dialogue level can be adjusted independently of music and effects. <\/p>\n\n      <h3>Limits of the format<\/h3>\n      <p>This does not mean that Dolby Atmos automatically offers an adjustable dialogue track. Whether dialogue can be adjusted separately depends on how the content was produced and transmitted and what functions the playback device provides. <\/p>\n      <p>Furthermore, the ratio between speech and the rest of the sound remains decisive for intelligibility. This ratio is determined by the mix. The playback format does not change this. A film with dialogue mixed at a low volume will remain mixed at a low volume even in Dolby Atmos.   <\/p>\n      <p>Depending on the device, Dolby Atmos can be virtually processed via built-in TV speakers. However, the spatial effect differs significantly from a system with separate surround and height speakers. <\/p>\n    <\/section>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <section id=\"faq\" class=\"fa-faq\">\n    <h2 class=\"fa-faq-title\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n    <div class=\"fa-faq-item\">\n      <button class=\"fa-faq-q\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-0\">What is Dolby Atmos?<\/button>\n      <div class=\"fa-faq-a\" id=\"faq-0\" role=\"region\">\n        <div class=\"fa-faq-a-inner\"><p>Dolby Atmos is an immersive audio format. It combines fixed channel groups, known as beds, with individual audio objects that can be freely arranged in space via positional data. In addition, there is a height layer so that sound can also come from above. A renderer in the playback device distributes the result to the available speakers.   <\/p><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fa-faq-item\">\n      <button class=\"fa-faq-q\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-1\">What do the numbers in 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 stand for?<\/button>\n      <div class=\"fa-faq-a\" id=\"faq-1\" role=\"region\">\n        <div class=\"fa-faq-a-inner\"><p>The first number indicates the speakers around the listening position, the second the subwoofer, and the third the height channels. In 5.1.2, this means five speakers, one subwoofer, and two channels for sound from above. The third number identifies the height channels, as they typically occur in immersive setups with Dolby Atmos.  <\/p><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fa-faq-item\">\n      <button class=\"fa-faq-q\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-2\">Do you need HDMI eARC for Dolby Atmos?<\/button>\n      <div class=\"fa-faq-a\" id=\"faq-2\" role=\"region\">\n        <div class=\"fa-faq-a-inner\"><p>eARC is not strictly necessary. Dolby Atmos can, for example, also be transmitted compressed via Dolby Digital Plus, which is also possible via HDMI ARC on compatible devices. HDMI eARC becomes particularly important when high-bitrate or lossless Atmos soundtracks such as Dolby TrueHD are to be transmitted. It is also crucial that the television and audio device support the respective format.   <\/p><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fa-faq-item\">\n      <button class=\"fa-faq-q\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-3\">Why is Dolby Atmos listed on devices without height speakers?<\/button>\n      <div class=\"fa-faq-a\" id=\"faq-3\" role=\"region\">\n        <div class=\"fa-faq-a-inner\"><p>Because the labeling initially only shows that a device supports the format. Some devices reproduce it via their own height speakers, while others create the height effect via virtual signal processing. With headphones, this happens binaurally, i.e., via a calculation for two ears.  <\/p><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fa-faq-item\">\n      <button class=\"fa-faq-q\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-4\">Does Dolby Atmos improve speech intelligibility?<\/button>\n      <div class=\"fa-faq-a\" id=\"faq-4\" role=\"region\">\n        <div class=\"fa-faq-a-inner\"><p>Any influence is at best indirect. Object-based audio fundamentally offers the possibility of treating speech separately, provided it is available as a separate component and the playback device supports this. However, the mix of the film determines how loud dialogue is in relation to the rest, not the playback format.  <\/p><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/section>\n\n  <aside class=\"fa-sources\">\n    <button class=\"fa-sources-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"sources-list\">Sources &#038; References<\/button>\n    <div class=\"fa-sources-list\" id=\"sources-list\">\n      <ol>\n        <li>Dolby. Dolby Atmos for Content Creators. <a href=\"https:\/\/professional.dolby.com\/content-creation\/Dolby-Atmos-for-content-creators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">professional.dolby.com<\/a>. <\/li>\n        <li>ITU-R. Recommendation BS.2076, Audio Definition Model. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/rec\/R-REC-BS.2076\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">itu.int<\/a>. <\/li>\n        <li>HDMI Licensing Administrator. Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hdmi.org\/spec2sub\/enhancedaudioreturnchannel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">hdmi.org<\/a>. <\/li>\n        <li>Shirley, B. G. et al. Personalized Object-Based Audio for Hearing Impaired TV Viewers, Journal of the Audio Engineering Society 65 (4), 293-303. <a href=\"https:\/\/aes.org\/publications\/elibrary-page\/?id=18562\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">aes.org<\/a>.<\/li>\n        <li>Audio Engineering Society. AES TD1009, Improving Dialogue Intelligibility in Media. <a href=\"https:\/\/aes2.org\/community\/technical-council\/aestd1009\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">aes2.org<\/a>. <\/li>\n      <\/ol>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/aside>\n\n<\/article>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Was ist Dolby Atmos?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Dolby Atmos ist ein immersives Tonformat. Es kombiniert feste Kanalgruppen, sogenannte Beds, mit einzelnen Audioobjekten, die \u00fcber Positionsdaten frei im Raum angeordnet werden k\u00f6nnen. Dazu kommt eine H\u00f6henebene, sodass Ton auch von oben kommen kann. Ein Renderer im Abspielger\u00e4t verteilt das Ergebnis auf die vorhandenen Lautsprecher.\" }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Wof\u00fcr stehen die Zahlen bei 5.1.2 oder 7.1.4?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Die erste Zahl nennt die Lautsprecher rund um den H\u00f6rplatz, die zweite den Subwoofer und die dritte die H\u00f6henkan\u00e4le. Bei 5.1.2 sind das also f\u00fcnf Lautsprecher, ein Subwoofer und zwei Kan\u00e4le f\u00fcr den Ton von oben. Die dritte Zahl kennzeichnet die H\u00f6henkan\u00e4le, wie sie typischerweise bei immersiven Setups mit Dolby Atmos vorkommen.\" }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Braucht man HDMI eARC f\u00fcr Dolby Atmos?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Zwingend n\u00f6tig ist eARC nicht. Dolby Atmos kann beispielsweise auch komprimiert \u00fcber Dolby Digital Plus \u00fcbertragen werden, was bei kompatiblen Ger\u00e4ten auch \u00fcber HDMI ARC m\u00f6glich ist. HDMI eARC wird vor allem dann wichtig, wenn hochbitratige oder verlustfreie Atmos-Tonspuren wie Dolby TrueHD \u00fcbertragen werden sollen. Entscheidend ist au\u00dferdem, dass Fernseher und Audioger\u00e4t das jeweilige Format unterst\u00fctzen.\" }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Warum steht Dolby Atmos auf Ger\u00e4ten ohne H\u00f6henlautsprecher?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Weil die Kennzeichnung zun\u00e4chst nur zeigt, dass ein Ger\u00e4t das Format unterst\u00fctzt. Manche Ger\u00e4te geben es \u00fcber eigene H\u00f6henlautsprecher wieder, andere erzeugen die H\u00f6henwirkung \u00fcber virtuelle Signalverarbeitung. Bei Kopfh\u00f6rern geschieht das binaural, also \u00fcber eine Berechnung f\u00fcr zwei Ohren.\" }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Verbessert Dolby Atmos die Sprachverst\u00e4ndlichkeit?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Ein Einfluss besteht allenfalls mittelbar. Objektbasiertes Audio bietet grunds\u00e4tzlich die M\u00f6glichkeit, Sprache getrennt zu behandeln, sofern sie als eigener Bestandteil vorliegt und das Wiedergabeger\u00e4t das unterst\u00fctzt. Wie laut Dialoge im Verh\u00e4ltnis zum Rest liegen, entscheidet aber die Mischung des Films und nicht das Wiedergabeformat.\" }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<script>\n(function(){\n  document.querySelectorAll('.fa-faq-q').forEach(function(btn){\n    btn.addEventListener('click',function(){\n      var expanded=this.getAttribute('aria-expanded')==='true';\n      document.querySelectorAll('.fa-faq-q').forEach(function(b){\n        b.setAttribute('aria-expanded','false');\n        b.nextElementSibling.style.maxHeight=null;\n      });\n      if(!expanded){\n        this.setAttribute('aria-expanded','true');\n        var panel=this.nextElementSibling;\n        panel.style.maxHeight=panel.scrollHeight+'px';\n      }\n    });\n  });\n  document.querySelectorAll('.fa-toc a').forEach(function(a){\n    a.addEventListener('click',function(e){\n      var target=document.querySelector(this.getAttribute('href'));\n      if(target){e.preventDefault();target.scrollIntoView({behavior:'smooth',block:'start'});history.pushState(null,null,this.getAttribute('href'));}\n    });\n  });\n  var srcBtn=document.querySelector('.fa-sources-toggle');\n  if(srcBtn){srcBtn.addEventListener('click',function(){\n    var expanded=this.getAttribute('aria-expanded')==='true';\n    this.setAttribute('aria-expanded',String(!expanded));\n    var list=document.getElementById('sources-list');\n    list.style.maxHeight=expanded?null:list.scrollHeight+'px';\n  });}\n})();\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The designation is now found on many televisions, soundbars, headphones, and even smartphones. However, how Dolby Atmos is reproduced in these devices differs significantly. In addition to fixed channel groups, the format works with sound elements that can be placed freely within a space.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":82961,"template":"","ratgeber_kategorie":[61],"class_list":["post-82960","ratgeber","type-ratgeber","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","ratgeber_kategorie-setup-tv"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Dolby Atmos - faller<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Dolby Atmos - faller\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The designation is now found on many televisions, soundbars, headphones, and even smartphones. However, how Dolby Atmos is reproduced in these devices differs significantly. In addition to fixed channel groups, the format works with sound elements that can be placed freely within a space.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"faller\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-23T14:59:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Audiowelle.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/\",\"name\":\"What is Dolby Atmos - faller\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/Audiowelle.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-31T05:36:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-23T14:59:02+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/Audiowelle.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/Audiowelle.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":667},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/setup-tv\\\/what-is-dolby-atmos\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Start\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/home\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Guide\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/guide\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"What is Dolby Atmos\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"faller\",\"description\":\"Sprachoptimierter Fernsehton direkt an Ihren Platz\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/faller-audio.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What is Dolby Atmos - faller","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What is Dolby Atmos - faller","og_description":"The designation is now found on many televisions, soundbars, headphones, and even smartphones. However, how Dolby Atmos is reproduced in these devices differs significantly. In addition to fixed channel groups, the format works with sound elements that can be placed freely within a space.","og_url":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/","og_site_name":"faller","article_modified_time":"2026-09-23T14:59:02+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1000,"height":667,"url":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Audiowelle.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/","url":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/","name":"What is Dolby Atmos - faller","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Audiowelle.jpg","datePublished":"2026-08-31T05:36:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-23T14:59:02+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Audiowelle.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Audiowelle.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/setup-tv\/what-is-dolby-atmos\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Start","item":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/home\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Guide","item":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/guide\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What is Dolby Atmos"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/","name":"faller","description":"Sprachoptimierter Fernsehton direkt an Ihren Platz","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ratgeber\/82960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ratgeber"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ratgeber"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ratgeber_kategorie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faller-audio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ratgeber_kategorie?post=82960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}