Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Apple TV: A New Audio Experience
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Chapter 1: The Surprising Journey with Apple TV
It’s remarkable how something can seem so obvious in hindsight. I've previously shared my thoughts on Apple’s efforts to dazzle us with Spatial Audio. When it comes to movies and TV series, it truly excels. The combination of my AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with my Apple TV delivers an astonishing experience, where head tracking and an uncanny sound quality always leave me in awe.
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Section 1.1: Rethinking Head Tracking
However, I’ve found myself questioning the necessity of head tracking for Spatial Audio. At times, it feels excessive.
Despite its technical brilliance, I’m still skeptical about Spatial Audio's widespread adoption. It presents a paradox: while it’s undeniably innovative, it can also come off as gimmicky. My experiences with music have been particularly disappointing. I feel similarly about Dolby Atmos; in fact, it frustrates me more since it seems to strip away the nuances from exceptionally mixed tracks, rendering them in a manner that’s more akin to a low-quality public address system.
Then, everything changed. I stumbled upon a fresh perspective on Apple Music in Dolby Atmos.
Before last week, I had only experienced Apple Music in Dolby Atmos through my AirPods, which I maintain sounds dreadful. Friends often suggest tracks that they claim are well-mixed for Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. Yet, my response is typically the same: Where’s the bass? Why does it feel like I’m hearing an entirely different song? Why is that guitar solo floating above me? Where’s the kick drum?
What Apple Music Lossless, Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos REALLY Sound Like
And a little surprise for AirPods Max owners
Then it hit me. I own a quality home theater system, connected to my Apple TV 4K. I decided to see how the music would sound through that setup.
The results were astonishing.
What I experienced had little to do with Spatial Audio or even Dolby Atmos. My home theater system is a standard 5.1 setup; it lacks ceiling speakers, and it’s essential to note that Spatial Audio is primarily designed for headphones. Instead, what I heard was music in traditional Dolby surround sound.
My earliest recollection of such an experience was listening to Pink Floyd’s Pulse in surround sound at a friend's house. The atmosphere was surreal, with sounds immersing you from all angles, like the roar of a plane passing overhead. This was something entirely different. Playing Dolby Atmos mixed music via my Apple TV 4K on a proper home theater system is a transformative experience.
Section 1.2: The Magic of Home Theater
The dynamics of the music are preserved, which I attribute to the system’s ability to route every frequency to the appropriate driver—be it a tweeter, mid-range speaker, or subwoofer. This results in a ‘normal’ sound, which has been my primary complaint with Dolby Atmos on headphones.
The soundstage, however, is extraordinary. The tracks have been remixed in Dolby surround, showcasing engineers’ creativity with dotted delays that dance around your head and harmonies that fill the room. It’s a tasteful and respectful experience.
Of course, there are moments that grab your attention, like sudden saxophone blasts from behind or vocals panning between speakers, but overall, it’s fascinating. For an audio enthusiast like myself, it significantly alters the listening experience. Most of the Dolby-enabled tracks on Apple Music have been mixed in a uniquely creative manner.
I can’t believe I hadn’t explored this earlier, despite numerous recommendations from my YouTube followers and Discord community.
Chapter 2: Why Is Apple Investing in This?
“It feels like it’s coming from everywhere,” my girlfriend remarked when I pointed out the rock playlist we were listening to had been mixed in Dolby surround. Had I not mentioned it, she likely wouldn’t have paid much attention, as she isn’t particularly tech-savvy.
We had family over that weekend. A couple of them were seated poorly, facing the right side of the soundstage. Out of curiosity, I played the same Spatial Audio playlist that had previously disappointed my girlfriend. Would they notice the difference?
It didn’t take long for someone to exclaim, “Whoa… What’s happening upstairs?” Due to their poor seating choice, they heard a guitar part routed to the rear right channel, which for them, originated from the ceiling speaker.
This reaction confirms my suspicion: the majority of people might not care about Apple Music’s capabilities in this realm.
As for me, I’m eager to delve deeper into these playlists while enjoying my home theater system. I’m fascinated by the mixing choices, especially since all dynamics seem to be preserved through this setup.
Why I'm Committing to Apple TV This Year
Goodbye, Sky
Yet, I’m puzzled about Apple’s motivations. While I’m grateful for their efforts, the amount of energy being invested in Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio is remarkable.
Looking at the available playlists reveals a plethora of older tracks that have been thoughtfully remixed and mastered for this purpose. New releases increasingly feature Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.
This undertaking demands significant time and resources. It adds another layer to the music production process, requiring skilled professionals who deserve to be compensated for their expertise. Is this merely a passion project for Apple and the mixing engineers? I’d like to believe so, but in the music industry, time is money, and I suspect there’s a larger strategy at play.
I just wish I could uncover what that strategy is.
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