Dolby Atmos, Explained
What the numbers mean, how it's set up, and how to choose the right configuration for your room
What is Dolby Atmos?
Traditional surround sound sends audio to a fixed set of speakers — left, right, centre and rears. Dolby Atmos works differently. Instead of locking sound to channels, it treats sounds as individual objects that can be placed and moved anywhere in three-dimensional space around you — including overhead.
The result is a more lifelike, immersive experience: a helicopter passes directly over your head, rain falls all around you, and dialogue stays locked to the screen. It's the same technology used in commercial cinemas, scaled for the home.
Decoding the numbers
A configuration like 7.1.4 tells you exactly how a system is built. Each number represents a different group of speakers:
Surround speakers
Speakers placed around you at ear level (front, centre, sides and rears).
Subwoofers
Dedicated bass channels that deliver deep, physical low-end impact.
Height channels
Overhead or up-firing speakers that place sound above you for true 3D audio.
See it in your room
Pick a configuration to see exactly where each speaker sits in a top-down view of your room. Hover any speaker to see what it is.
7.1.4 — 7 surround speakers, 1 subwoofer, 4 overhead height channels. Dolby Atmos capable.
Dolby Atmos configurations
Atmos always includes height channels (the third number). The more speakers, the more precise and enveloping the effect.
5.1.2
Dolby AtmosEntry-level Atmos — surround sound with 2 overhead height channels.
5.1.4
Dolby AtmosRicher overhead detail with 4 height channels for true 3D audio.
7.1.2
Dolby AtmosExtended surround plus 2 height channels — great for larger rooms.
7.1.4
Dolby AtmosReference home cinema — full surround with 4 overhead channels.
7.2.4
Dolby AtmosReference home cinema — full surround with 4 overhead channels and two sub-woofers.
9.1.6
Dolby AtmosUltimate immersive setup — studio-grade object-based audio.
Classic surround (no height)
These setups deliver excellent surround sound without overhead channels — a great foundation you can upgrade to Atmos later.
2.1
Two front speakers plus a subwoofer — clean stereo with deep bass.
5.1
Five speakers around the room plus a subwoofer — classic surround sound.
7.1
Adds two rear surround speakers for fuller, wrap-around sound.
How it's set up
Surround speakers at ear level
Front left/right, a centre channel for dialogue, and side/rear surrounds positioned around your seating to wrap sound around you.
Height channels overhead
Either in-ceiling speakers mounted above your seating, or up-firing modules that bounce sound off the ceiling to create the overhead effect.
A subwoofer for bass
One or more subwoofers reproduce the deep, physical low frequencies you feel as much as hear.
An Atmos-capable receiver
A surround receiver decodes the Atmos signal and is professionally calibrated to your room for balanced, accurate sound.
Which configuration is right for me?
Not sure? Our team will assess your room and recommend the ideal configuration during a consultation.
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