Dolby Atmos FlexConnect Impressions | Surround Sound for Any Space
We finally got to experience Dolby Atmos Flex Connect in person, while also learning how the platform works and how Dolby expects to get it into your home. Along the way, we got to experience one of the best Dolby Atmos music experiences we've heard yet, and it just so happened to take place in some pretty fancy cars. Ride along with us, as we take a deep look at what could be the next big thing in home entertainment, and why Dolby Atmos Flex Connect doesn't have to be a soundbar killer to be successful.
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What Is Dolby Atmos Flex Connect? • Huge Dolby Atmos News ...
00:00 Intro
01:34 In-car Dolby Atmos Music system
02:20 Dolby Atmos experiences at CES
03:22 Challenges of Dolby Atmos at Home
05:24 Sponsor: Xfinity Mobile
06:13 Dolby Flex Connect Demonstration
10:59 Final Thoughts
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Hey everyone! Thanks for all the great comments, as always. You all never fail! Seeing a lot of asks about a comparison to the Sony HT-A9 - I think that’s a fair and understandable ask. The demo I got was with just two speakers, as described. I can’t draw a fair comparison based on such a limited number of speakers. I will say that Flex Connect looks a lot like Sony’s Spatial Sound Mapping technology, but the best of my knowledge, Sony hasn’t (yet?) deployed a solution that allows for any number of speakers to be used. I think Sony could go there, though. Once I can get my hands on a FlexConnect system, we will definitely be doing that comparison. For now, I think it’s important to recognize that Dolby has created a platform any brand can implement, and it’s scalable, whereas, so far, Sony’s tech is proprietary and not as scalable. Hope that makes sense!
The only thing that’s holding me back from buying the A9s is that you’re limited to 4 speakers. That’s unfortunate, because I want them scattered throughout the entire house 😅
If I can use only one company's technology with this setup, it's going to be less interesting to me. Other than that, I'd love to have a setup that's both scalable and wireless. I'd put speakers everywhere. :)
@@_DST0NE_ yeah, so far FlexConnect is not a Sonos competitor for distributed audio. It’s all about making TV-originated sound in one space.
@@Caleb_Denison love seeing AV tech evolve!!
I don't know anything yet for certain on this, but I think we could be likely looking at some potentially very big new product announcements in the audio department from Sony here in the next few weeks when they roll out their new 2024 product lineup. Consider that Sony is already in the wireless audio space in a very big way now with their portable speakers, their wireless speakers/subs and their HT-A9 product. They could very easily integrate much of that same tech and know-how into this new Flex Connect platform and come out with some incredibly innovative and appealing new products in the wireless (and even multi-room) space. If there is ANY company out there with the product/tech chops to really take the ball and run with it here in 2024, it's unquestionably Sony. A few more weeks and we will all know what new things they have come up with. Oh, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Sony integrate more of the new MPEG-H technology into many of those same products as well.
I could absolutely see my friends who love watching movies on my system, but aren't the least bit interested in speaker wires/AVRs being into this.
Agreed. Even Soundbars are a barrier for most.
what kind of system are you rocking? would your best friend consider a Samsung Q990c? it sounds very good and has excellent fidelity and is on sale. Did I mention its the easiest thing to set up ever????
This will be great for people who move around a lot or change rooms or rearrange rooms. I just want reliable wireless speaker set ups so when I eventually go from 5.1 to 7.1 or 9.1 or even 11.1.1 without ripping out walls and ceilings.
Yes, and that's going to be key here: scalability. IF they will allow you to start off with just two speakers and then grow-as-you-go it will be a HUGE success, especially if they do NOT limit the number of wireless subs in the configuration.
The Sony HT-A9 was and is such a useful system as you can fit it in anyroom and let the system do the calibration. I think this is the future of home theater, most people don't know how and don't want to set up equipment. they like the sound when is hooked up, but won't non of the hassle, its just not that important to them. This was a very smart move for Dolby.
Before we sold our house last Spring and moved into our new RV to start being full time nomads, a chief concern was what to do about our expansive 7.1 home theater system. There was no way we could fit the two subwoofers, two tower speakers, four surround speakers, and a heavy AV receiver into the limited space of the RV. We went with the Sonos ARC, mini sub, and a pair of Era 100 surrounds to achieve the Atmos experience we wanted in a very compact space. We also carefully measured the TV wall and were able to swap out the standard 50” set for an LG EVO OLED 77” unit. With the sub behind us and the surrounds above and behind us, the soundscape is an impressive one and we feel like we are traveling with a mobile IMAX theater on board.
Bro post a video I want to see 😂
We would love a room tour as I love some of your stereo equipment in background
Watching your Reviews of Sony x95L is amazing and I managed to get a 77 inch and it’s Flawless specially on Bluray HDR it’s flawless
I have made and 9.2 setup, on Yamaha ATMOS, double SW 1000 subs made the system complete, using my old Jama setup. Not needing any cam system, the mic does the job here, perfect septup.
This sounds just like the Sony HT-A9 sound system! Really cool tech I’m glad Derby is making it a platform so we can have some competition and price drops!
You can fit to walls on wall speakers with wires chased in, same for ceilings, even subwoofers. You really can't beat fitting speakers, even if you go for budget options. You can get the Dome Flax from Focal at about 300 each, 3 for LCR, 2 for the rears and 4 ICW4's in the ceiling. Partnered with an SVS sub or BK/REL and you can get an amazing atmos system for as little as 4200 which is almost the same as a 65" Sony A95L TV. Yes you need a receiver, if you don't already have one, but the Marantz Cinema 40 would more than suffice.
Great video. I was wondering if you hear or notice any audio lags?
I always look forward to your content. Makes a day better.
Great Concept that hopefully will happen ⭐️
I hope they bring this to AV receivers. Will definitely be a huge benefit for those who are only able to have a 5.1/7.1 setup
Man I was hoping this tech would evolve sooner than later!! I love the idea of being able to buy powered or wireless type speakers, put them around the room with few wires and be able to expand on your system as you can afford newer better speakers! Especially atmos!! The ceiling speakers are almost a pipe dream for a renter with running wires and amps and dso etc! I too hope they come out with a box that will let you connect any wireless speakers/amps to speakers in any configuration! 🎉thanks
I think it’s great! I have a 7.2 setup but speaker placement is limited so if this could be implemented into receivers and allow people to utilize their existing speakers, there’d be no reason not to be excited.
In development: IAMF (Immersive Audio Model and Formats). This is the closest contender to an open-source Dolby Atmos format. It's a collaborative project between Google and Samsung aiming to offer an open and royalty-free framework for spatial audio technologies.
Sadly, most people don't trust Samsung when it comes to soundbars and audio. Go into any electronics store in the country. You'll see more Open Box/returned Samsung soundbars than any other brand - and it's not even close. Samsung has a LONG way to go still before they will ever be a trusted brand with respect to audio.
@@michaelbeckerman7532 Yeah I generally don't trust Samsung on principle but considering this is to be open source, it makes me hopeful. BTW, why do people don't trust them re: audio sector specifically?
@@michaelbeckerman7532 hey me neither in general. But why not to trust soundbars and audio from them specifically?
I would love to have add-on up-firing speakers with Flexconnect technology for my existing 5.1 speaker system.
That seems neat. I can see myself using something like this. I have an awkward living room where running wires for surrounds is a pain. And also cats who love wires.
This video was very cool. I was hoping you showed where to put Atmos speakers at home. How to place them correctly. 👍
Looks like Dolby have got themselves another winner. If you’ll into buying top end TV then you probably buy the whole surround package. However for the lower end market this give people a great option for fantastic sound quality.
Boys this is the Gamechanger we have been waiting for.................... What company made those demo speakers? they look like the Sony HT-A9's
We are just at the beginning!!! Exciting times!!!!
Great coverage! I'm excited for Dolby Atmos Flex.
Hi Caleb, once the FlexConnect is rolled out; will it work on my existing Soundbar System I already own, once I update the software?
I noticed you have the new integra 8.4 AVR, do you think you can do a review on it? Greatly appreciated.
Isn't this what the HT-A9 does? Even the demo speakers look like them? Will the HT-A9 get some sort of update to support it?
Can you mix it with external wired speakers? 😊
I have the Sennheiser Ambeo, and would love to have some surround speakers, do you think this technology could help that to happen? Or it would be something imposible to make it compatible with “old” existing systems like the Ambeo…thanks!
Always wondered why future audio tech couldn’t mimic ADB headlight tech. In other words, being adaptive to the environment in real time (same with sound waves as with light). Not sure we are there yet, but one day.
This looks really impressive. I have a traditional AV Receiver with 5.1 (DTS-HD/Dolby TrueHD) and have passed on Atmos due to its complexity.
Nothing complex about it you can have atmos with your existing speaker layout easily.... ihave a sonos 5.1 with a 5.1.2 experience
So I have a question. Will any soundbars come out with this technology built in to enhance those speakers in the soundbar and rear speakers? Or would it not change the sound at all?
Would like to know how these speakers link to the "TV" or the blu ray player and how that could change if it's a setup like an all in one Projector like the ANKER Nebula series + Blu Ray player and no reciever.
Are those integrated receivers in your background just for show? I hope so because they would overheat when running on top of each like that: )
Can't wait to see this technology implemented in the Apple TV. Two Homepods aren't enough for spatial audio.
3:20 "The bagels there were strangely... fire" Am I hearing that correctly?
Exciting!
This is what ibwas wondering about when i have my bose bass its on the right side and not even out aswell as the sound bar
This makes me miss the old single days when I had a Sansui Rack with Klipsch Synergy F-2 setup making the walls breathe,now I'm negated to a sound bar since well happy wife happy life😂
Unless your wife loves music and you can transform your family room into a media room!
@@we8463 She loves music but doesn't like "Clutter" When I wall mounted the living room TV I had get a wall mount for my son's PS5 so she wouldn't have to look at it 😂
Very cool tech.
Aside from the camera being used to calibrate, this product seems virtually the same as the Sony HT-A9, which is pretty darned good. I wonder though if this product can have a more competitive price than Sony's.
If I have an existing 3.1 setup with an AVR can I add a couple flex connect speakers for surround audio?
I'd like to see how this type of system complements a projection setup. Wouldn't you still need a dedicated center channel speaker to handle dialogue?
I love my 7.4.2 sound system. Once it gets cheaper and I move. I would love to get rid of my 4 towers. front 2 are 18x18" and back 2 are 12x12" That like 5 SQ feet in a kind of small house. a little 6" speaker would be nice
I have a sonos system Arc soundbar two sls rears and mini sub. Will Flex connect work? And do I need a IPhone to enable it
Can I combine these additional speakers, to my existing sound bar system with Dolby atmos already? To increase Channels? Let’s say I have a Dolby atmos 7.1.4 sound bar, can I add more speakers to it through this to make it 11.1.4 for example?
Will they have a flexconnect standalone product you can plug in or piece of sw like dirac live?
I am big into sonos for home-theater and even I want to demo this type of system just to see what it can do. My Sonos system can go in my man cave and this system can go in the living room to keep the girlfriend happy with great sound and speakers that work with the esthetics of the room instead of being limited with the TV and speakers in a certain location to work with a normal surround setup. Thanks for the review.
Connection reliability stability and device compatibility are the most important factors. Unfortunately, the current situation is not ideal, and sometimes, it's even a nightmare.
I have 2 questions 1. Do we need wireless and bluetooth speakers ONLY? OR any old wired independent speakers can also use flexconnect? 2. And how about existing 5.1 speakers connected to non atmos AV receiver?
Did Dolby give any indication on when flex connect will be available?
Sounds like the Sony HT-A9.
As long as it doesn't constantly disconnect or overheat then it already beats the HT-A9.
Dang, WISA is done done for sure now 😯
when was WISA doing well? It's too bad, WISA is such a good idea. The fact that is very difficult to buy WISA compatible speakers is an issue to. I think Klipsch make them and maybe one other company. Thats not good.
10:33 "Ultra-low barrier of entry". You said before that the processing is done on the TV. If getting a new TV for this is a requirement, then that is the highest barrier of entry possible (apart from moving to a new place). An acceptable (not "ultra-low") requirement would be to just buy an Atmos Flex enabled speaker system.
Will be interesting when they get it rolled to the full market. I still use my Bose Acoustimass system that’s 25 years old and it still impresses. Sure it’s not Atmos but really hard to give up and the stealth of it is great. You have to look for the speakers to know they are there. I’m just not impressed with sound bar surrounds. Thought about a Sonos system as I use a 10 year old Sonos Connect.
So you need also cables and outlets like the „old“ samsung atmos setups?!
When it comes to atmos, the most odd thing I find is the dolby atmos in samsung phones. Do you get Atmos using any headphones? Do you need apps to support atmos, i.e netflix, youtube, etc?
So would this just be a firmware upgrade for existing products, that is if the other brands adopt it and decide to implement it with their existing products?
Do we know yet if the Flex Connect products will all be entirely interchangeable among brands? Could I buy a Sony Flex Connect enabled A75M (later this year perhaps?) and pair it up with speakers from any other brand that adheres to the Flex Connect wireless standard? Or will the speakers have to be from the same brand as the TV that is sending out the audio signal? If they will allow for different brands of speakers and subs to work with any of the Flex Connect enabled TVs this is going to be HUGELY successful in the marketplace - and consumers are going to LOVE IT!
Dolby atmos flex connect sounds like a mixing program and nothing else
With Apple's push for Dolby Atmos, the Dolby Flex Connect would be beneficial to them adding this to their home pods.
is it a software tech that able to make use of our current speakers? or we have to get new speakers that can support this new tech?
That's my question too. I just purchased an Atmos soundbar & wireless rear height/surrounds last year, but my apartment space is awkward and difficult for Atmos, especially with up-firing speakers that try bounce audio correctly from the 11' textured ceiling. Having an app that can better balance the audio based upon where I"m forced to place my speakers would be great.
I'm interested in the dolby headphones. It's a video coming about that? I'm a gamer and on the ps5 with the 3d audio is very convincing. I want that same experience on movies and maybe shareable.
On pc the dolby atmos for headphones license is 15 usd for a lifetime key. best cheap audio purchase I ever made, been using it for years. Even youtube sounds better with it on, like night and day.
@@producerevan88 i do know on pc is available. But i want it on my 65" Samsung neo qled when watching movies.
@@producerevan88does it work with any headphones?
@@blink182bfsftw dolby atmos for headphones works with any headphones. But having a good sound stage headphone is recommended.
will there be so much lag in the system that voice/mouth sync is lost?
Do you think there will be any type of external Flex Connect add-on box that could plug in (HDMI, USB or Fiber Optic) that would allow an older TV to be "upgraded" to Flex Connect capability? This if how many of THOSE they could sell - if that were ever to become possible.
would be silly if they don't
You never mentioned when it's gonna be available
Isnt it what apple and amazon speakers already do? I guess sonos as well?
Let's see if it works with homepods. The animated speakers in the video look like homepods. I hope that's a hint and not a coincidence.
for me looks like what sony made with the HT-A9.
Will old tv's capable of dolby flex connect?
Will it work on soundbars?
Did they take it from sony ht a9?
Is it possible to upgrade existing televisions with this Dolby flex connect software?
Unfortunately not!
Great video, Caleb. I respectfully disagree with Dolby but I see it as a shortcut for people wanting surround sound without much technical involvement. I am a hands-on individual who prefers dts to most Dolby formats . I have not been happy with Dolby since they accused JVC for "copying" Dolby C With Super ANRS.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding but wow, imagine how good it would be if built into AVRs... in situations where your speaker placement is *90%* perfect. For instance someone living in a flat with limited space.. so maybe the FL is in a corner and FR is slightly too far away and not in a corner.. Would not this be awesome for that!!
I mean, competent AVRs already have processing for that sort of situation.
@@BrettBreeden I mean, try thinking outside the box for a moment. I mean, you're assuming that processing you referenced isn't how the aforementioned system from my previous comment got to 90%. The Auto processing available now at best gets to 75% of what i can do manually and i don't care what amazingly competent brand you buy i can tune it better than it's auto processing can. Perhaps THIS Dolby crap can get it to 95/97% without someone like myself having to step in and use that processing - perhaps normal people without the prerequisite knowledge and experience can use this instead. You need to drop the arrogance and stop expecting everybody to understand the several steps and the methods behind them to utilize this processing (like standing waves, phase.. etc), first of all their ignorance is the market i and many others rely on for work. Secondly for some people those steps are very overwhelming - a brain surgeon can be very intelligent but still be entirely overwhelmed by Audio - we are all different and have different capacities for different subjects/things. I suggested having this implemented so the average consumer can just let this do it's thing on it's own without having to learn all the stuff i had to learn over the last 30 years and get a better result than the standard inbuilt Auto tune - thus my point STILL STANDS! it would be great to have this implemented on ALL AVRs so that laymen or old farts like my parents can just push a button and walk away and NOT have to learn a whole new subject, measure distances, work out the the math, lengths of sound waves vs the distance of speakers from walls and all the other crap.. And also what exactly is this category of "competent" AVRs you referenced without example? I've never seen that category advertised or labeled in a shop anywhere, perhaps because it's subjective not objective and is arrogant. My AVR is extremely competent but has no implementation of spacial surround beyond DTS NEO or Pro-logic.
I almost forgot about the wires and cables,I just moved to another house,I have to do it again, I still prefer the real thing though
Does anyone know where to buy floor mounts for Samsung soundbar rear speakers? I have a hw-q930 that comes with brackets for wall mounting, which I don't like. I would like floor mounts for the rear speakers. as shown at 4:54
Man is there anywhere I can go and pay to experience a certified Dolby atmos system? Not a movie theater but like a home audio set up. That I can just jam music for an hour and get a better idea of it before investing thousands into a good setup
So is it like DTS Play Fi?
Awesone
how many speakers can you add?
You're saying it's not for people who already have receivers and front L, C, R Speakers but that is what I have. My problem is my rear speakers are in a jank setup because my wife won't let me run wires for them. I would love to have 2 wireless speakers that integrated with my Onkyo TX-NR7100 receiver as surround speakers. Can the Flex Dolby speakers do that?
Similar dilemma, though mine involved me ripping walls apart. Didn't want it. Here was my solution, though you do need power outlets and a wire still runs from the remote kit. DYNASTY PROAUDIO WSA-5RP Wireless Surround Sound Rear Speakers Kit • with 2 x 50W Amplifier Built-in and Jamo S 803 Black (refurbed speakers) for the rear. Pretty cost effective, enough power and now running a 5.1.2.
@@robindle I might try something like that because I do have power outlets near where rear speakers would be placed but on the left side there is a giant opening to the kitchen, making running wires bad unless I patched up through attic and ceiling. Too much work to do by myself.
Dolby misspelled Xiaomi in their own demoy stand? Good job
Everyone cant afford i dolby atmos system like that , But i still like to learn about it
Is it like Sonos true play?
Could this be used along with an Apple TV? How about Homepods?
Check out this episode: kzhead.info/sun/nc-SdrFwroKNho0/bejne.html
Wait how are these powered?batteries?
Is it a x90j?
Dolby needs to hire an audiophile.
I want it to work with open back headphones
What I need is better spatial sound out of my less expensive 7.1 surround sound speakers. My wife won’t let me put in ceiling speakers. Haha!
Up firing and virtual hights works perfectly fine ... I have a 5.1 sonos system that's 5.1.2 in atmos works perfectly and I have it room calibrated no issue at all with sound placement and hights.. I even get broad wide soundstage in non atmos and illusion of hights... in 5.1 mixes speakers are placed in traditional 5.1 layout
How about dts-playfi
It's myyyy-bach :-).
So I’m sure many people have this question , and I (we) would totally appreciate your answer : Will Flex connect devices work, or can be added to with Dolby Atmos systems already in place? Ex. I have a Dolby Atmos 5.1 system from company “X” , would flex connect devices be able to be added seamlessly for extra speaker support? Or will it have to be brand to brand? If they can make it work with anything that has Dolby Atmos labeled on it, that will be the way to go, and I hope that’s the case.
well, WTH is Xioami 14 Pro on 2:32 ?
1:47😂😂❤
Great vid, and another Bill Evans album to boot. As Ross would say, “hot stuff”. 😝. Keep em coming. 👍🤪🏳️🌈
All this great visual and audio technology and zero decent movies being made any more....
You say "Sony has something like this, but this is different". I can't see how the result is different from the HT-A9. Can you elaborate on that? As far as I can tell, Sony, albeit with a different technology, already has that on the market.
So… works with Sonos?
My JBL 1300x is phenomenal for Atmos and so amazingly simple to setup. Can't beat the truly wirless rears!
How much?
Funny. Watching this on my Apple TV with my home Pods wirelessly providing me the sound I need. Left watching the ugly speakers in your video. The audiophiles will be amazed by this new tech. But the remaining 99% of us won’t be able to afford it.