What is Dolby Atmos and is it avilable on Sonos?

What is Dolby Atmos?

Compared to conventional surround sound, Dolby Atmos delivers an even more immersive listening experience by using overhead surround channels for a realistic 3D soundstage.

Is Dolby Atmos available on Sonos?

Dolby Atmos is available to enjoy on both Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sonos Arc soundbars.

While the Sonos Arc features upward-firing drivers for projecting sound above the listener, the Beam Gen 2 makes use of its sound processors to simulate Atmos instead.

Dolby Atmos is also available on the Sonos Era 300. You can use the Era 300 to create a multi-diminutional surround sound experience when paired with the Arc or Beam Gen 2. Alternatively, use the Era 300 as a standalone speaker for spacial audio/Dolby Atmos music.

Is my TV compatible with Dolby Atmos?

Your TV needs to be compatible so that it can pass through Atmos audio information to your receiving Sonos soundbar over an HDMI-eARC connection.

Most recent TVs feature the required HDMI-eARC connection, but a few select TVs from 2018 onwards with standard HDMI-ARC are also compatible. Keep in mind, if you are lucky enough to have Dolby Atmos over HDMI-Arc, it will be compressed. More on HDMI-ARC and eARC can be found here: HDMI Arc Vs eARC

TVs with just an optical audio output cannot support Dolby Atmos.

Here are some places to see if your TV is Atmos-ready:

• The TV’s owner’s manual or specification list
• Your TV manufacturer’s official website
• The TV’s original supplier or authorised dealer
• Online forums for consumer electronics

Dolby Atmos-Compatible TV Services

Here’s a list of some streaming and TV services that support Dolby Atmos audio*:

• Sky-Q
• Netflix
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video
• Certain Blu-ray discs are also recorded in Dolby Atmos

* Some content available from the above services may not have been recorded in Atmos. You may also need to pay a more premium subscription to access Dolby Atmos.

How To Check you’re Receiving Dolby Atmos:

As long as your TV is Atmos-ready and your Sonos Beam Gen 2 or Arc is set up correctly, here’s how to check if your soundbar is receiving Dolby Atmos audio.

• Play Atmos-encoded content on your TV
• Open the Sonos app
• Select the System tab and find your soundbar, press the room it’s located in.
• The Dolby Atmos symbol will appear if Atmos audio is being received.

Not Receiving Atmos?

If you’re not seeing the Dolby Atmos symbol in the Sonos app, here are some things to check:

• Is your TV able to handle Dolby Atmos?
• Are you viewing content recorded in Atmos?
• Does the streaming service require a more premium subscription?
• If Atmos-compatible, check the sound output settings of your TV.
• Is your Sonos soundbar making use of HDMI-eARC, and not an optical connection?
• Are you streaming from a Atmos supported device (ie, some Apple TV boxes do not support Atmos.)

For more information, please visit: 

• Dolby Atmos on the Sonos Arc
• Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Out Thoughts on Sonos' latest Atmos Soundbar

If you have any further questions about Sonos and Atmos, please get in touch on 0800 677 1100, Live Chat or info@smarthomesounds.co.uk