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MUSIC AND SOUND PRODUCTION

Dolby Atmos

Article: How to listen to music in Dolby Atmos (Immersive 3D Audio)

This is not complete information.
I can not guarantee everything will work but it is in some cases an educated guess and you can use this information as a starting point. MKV files are the perfect deliverable format for Dolby TrueHD (lossless format) because it is less memory demanding compared to M2TS files. For instance the MLP file from Dolby Media Encoder is 264 MB (5 min and 13 sec of Dolby TrueHD audio) and when generating a THD+AC3 file the file size will be 288 MB. When creating a video MKV file using MLP file the MKV file in my example will be 287 MB. When using the THD+AC3 file and the same video to generate an M2TS file without fallback track the M2TS file will be 366 MB. The MKV file is much more memory efficient than the M2TS file bacause it does not need the AC3 blend. The M2TS file can be played on more players than the lossless MKV file, indeed it easy to convert the MKV to an M2TS file. MP4 files (lossy format using DD+JOC) are a good format for listening in headphones/earbuds and hear how it would sound in speakers when streaming the same song. Files in Dolby Atmos can be downloaded from the Resources page.
Updated: 25 January 2025, 06:15 PM CET
Published:15 December 2024, 04:00 PM CET
Research and author: Björn Danneby
AV Receiver playing Dolby Atmos
An AV receiver playing Dolby Atmos. Photo: Björn Danneby
Chapters:
  1. Technology overview
  2. Listening to a Dolby Atmos Speaker Setup on streaming services via app
  3. Listening to headphones/earbuds on streaming services via app
  4. Download for listening in a Dolby Atmos Speaker Setup
  5. Download for listening in headphones/earbuds
  6. Music delivered on physical media for headphone or speaker listening
  7. Online stores for download
  8. Earbuds for Dolby Atmos
  9. Headphones for Dolby Atmos
  10. Analog headphones
  11. Other places to listen to Dolby Atmos music
  12. Articles about how to listen to Dolby Atmos

1. Technology overview

Dolby Atmos is a scalable sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories that support both headphones/earbuds and speaker listening and automatically adapts to how many speakers you have in your speaker setup. The music producer will create an ADM BWF file (a sort of multi channel WAV file that also contains metadata for 3D positioning of 128 simultaneously sounding objects). Only cinemas can represent all details in the 3D information. Practically it is only possible to get 16 simultaneously sounding objects at the same time when listening at home in a speaker setup or with headphones/earbuds, both lossy (DD+ stands for Dolby Digital Plus using E-AC-3 as format) and lossless (format Dolby TrueHD) format. All the objects in the source ADM BWF file that have similar position at every given moment are therefore combined (JOC - Joint Object Coding) to maximum 16 groups and the result is very similar to the source ADM BWF file. Apple using its own implementation of Dolby Atmos called Spatial Audio that when listening in headphones gets a simulated 7.1.4 system with 7 speakers around you, 4 height speakers and a subwoofer speaker. Those virtual sounding speakers are always in the same position as it is when having physical speakers. When listening to a MP4 file in a iPhone mobile phone you will hear the music in Spatial Audio. However, Dolby Laboratories have developed a lossy format called AC4 IMS (Immersive Stereo) that for every millisecond in the music moves 16 virtual speakers to different positions to support a better spatial headphones/earbuds experience than with fixed virtual speaker positions that is used by Apple´s Spatial Audio technology. You can experience AC4 IMS by listening to a streaming service that uses AC4 IMS in headphones/earbuds in a mobile phone or listen to a binaural render file in headphones in any device.

2. Listening to a Dolby Atmos Speaker Setup on streaming services via app

In macOS you should have maximum 16 output channels on the soundcard in the configuration settings if playing without HDMI, otherwise you need to use software Rogue Amoeba Loopback as a virtual sound device that also has maximum 16 output channels. The last move Apple made when incorporating HDMI passthrough in macOS 15 Sequoia to use it from Apple Music app to send bitstream to an AVR, that is a step to make Apple Music an alternative to Tidal for those who have an AVR.
Listening to a Dolby Atmos Speaker Setup on streaming services via app (that mean not soundbars and smartspeakers)
App streaming service Sound Quality Format used Hardware needed Can play without using HDMI Can play via HDMI to AVR with eARC Additional info
Tidal Hi-Fi Plus Lossy DD+JOC Apple TV 4K (running tvOS 13 or later) No Yes When used for speakers DD+JOC is the one and only format
NVidia Shield TV and NVidia Shield TV Pro (2019 or newer models) (Android) No Yes
Apple Music Lossy DD+JOC Mac Yes Yes When used for speakers DD+JOC is the one and only format
Apple TV 4K No Yes

3. Listening to headphones/earbuds on streaming services via app

In the table below you can see the information about listening to Dolby Atmos in headphones/earbuds.
Listening to headphones/earbuds on streaming services via app
App streaming service Sound Quality Format Used Hardware needed Additional Info
Tidal Hi-Fi Plus Loosy AC4 IMS Android/iPhone/iPad/Apple TV 4K AC4 IMS gives the best Dolby Atmos headphone experience. Works with any headphones.
Apple Music Lossy DD+JOC Android/iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple TV 4K
Amazon Music Unlimited Lossy AC4 IMS Android/iPhone/iPad AC4 IMS gives the best Dolby Atmos headphone experience. Works with any headphones.

4. Download for listening in a Dolby Atmos Speaker Setup

In macOS you should have maximum 16 output channels on the soundcard in the configuration settings if playing without HDMI, otherwise you need to use software Rogue Amoeba Loopback as a virtual sound device that also has maximum 16 output channels. When listening via Quicktime to an AVR, always turn on the passthrough setting before playing via HDMI, and turn off the setting before quitting Quicktime, this is my advice in order to avoid problems.
Apple TV and macOS does not allow HDMI passthrough for non Apple apps. That means, for example, that VLC and Kodi can not play Dolby Atmos on macOS and Apple TV. On Windows PC it might be good to buy Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store ($0.99) to be able to watch h.265 videos. However, you can still hear the sound without the extension. (alternative codec from WinXVideo AI). A foundation of listening to Dolby Atmos in Windows is that you have AC3 codec that is not included in a clean install of Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. Check your version with the command winver.
Note that you should not have artificial surround sound turned on such as Neural:X or Dolby Surround. This causes the height channels to be simulated and that you probably do not want because you want to listen to Dolby Atmos in height speakers.
VLC Media Player version 3.0.21 for Windows x64 and Kodi version 21.1 (Omega) have been used for testing. When using VLC or Kodi passtrough to HDMI you do not need AC3 codec.
Generally, it is difficult to play lossless MKV files on Blu-ray players.
For the entusiast, several options are available such as Plex, MPC-HC. Potplayer, Foobar, Emby, Jellyfin Media Player or MPC-BE. Dolby has made something called Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. HDHomeRun app. Jriver or Audirvana. Infuse is an app for Apple TV 4K that allows you to play Dolby TrueHD. ROON. Kaleidescape system and Kaleidescape Blu-ray vault.
In VLC use the following settings: Select "Show all" in the settings. Select Audio Output modules: Audio output module=Windows Multimedia Device output, MMDevice: Output back-end: Windows Audio Session API Output, HDMI/SPDIF audio passthrough=Yes.
Use the Expert-settings in Kodi.
Dolby Access for Home theater adds no additional value to listening to Dolby Atmos through the AVR, except from streaming of video via web browser or video streaming apps. The only benefit is to check via your AVR that a Dolby Atmos signal is coming to the AVR, which means that Dolby Atmos for Headphones receives the same signal because in Windows 10 you cannot see if a Spatial Audio signal is coming in. Even if you see in Windows 11 at the audio controller which signal comes to Dolby Access, you cannot distinguish whether it is Dolby Atmos or only Dolby Digital Plus without Atmos metadata, e.g. VLC Multi Channel displays Spatial Audio. Therefore, Dolby Atmos for Home Theater can be useful for checking what signal is actually going out to an AVR.
Download for listening in a Dolby Atmos Speaker Setup (that means no soundbars or smartspeakers)
File format Sound Quality Format Used Hardware needed Player needed Can play without using HDMI Can play via HDMI to AVR with eARC Additional info
EC3 Lossy DD+JOC Mac Quick TimePlayer Yes Yes macOS Sequoia 15. Typically the format is not used for customer delivery.
Mac Quick Look Yes macOS Sequoia 15. Typically the format is not used for customer delivery.
MP4 Lossy DD+JOC PC with Windows VLC Yes
PC with Windows Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Yes Windows 10(22H2) or upgraded to 11 (24H2). Choose "Exclusive mode" in advance audio settings
PC with Windows Kodi (Omega) Yes
PC with Linux VLC Yes
PC with Linux Kodi (Omega) Yes
Xbox VLC, Microsoft Media Player Yes
Mac Quick TimePlayer Yes Yes macOS Sequoia 15
Mac Quick Look Yes macOS Sequoia 15
Apple TV 4K Yes
Blu-ray players:
Panasonic DP-UB450 Yes The file needs at least blank video
Sony X800M2 Yes
LG UBK90 Yes
Sony UDP X1100ES Yes
Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 Yes
Raevon UBR-X100 Yes
Raevon UBR-X200 Yes
Oppo 103 Yes
Oppo 203 Yes
Oppo 205 Yes
Media players:
Dune HD TV-301 Yes
Neumi Atom 4K Lite TV-301 Yes
NVidia Shield TV and NVidia Shield TV Pro Yes Android. 2019 or newer models
Zidoo Yes
Zappiti Yes
Roku Ultra Yes
AC4 Lossy AC4 PC/Mac Technically advanced. At least you have to pay for a AC4 codec. No No hardware equipment can decode AC4.
MKV Lossy or Lossless DD+JOC or Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content PC with Windows VLC - Yes -
PC with Windows Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Yes Choose "Exclusive mode" in advanced audio settings
PC with Windows Kodi (Omega) Yes
PC with Linux VLC Yes
PC with Linux Kodi (Omega) Yes
Xbox VLC Yes
Blu-ray players:
Oppo 103 Yes Confirmed by immersiveaudioalbum.com
Oppo 203 Yes
Oppo 205 Yes
Panasonic DP-UB450 Yes Can not play lossless files
Sony X800M2 Yes No info about lossless MKV
LG UBK90 Yes No info about lossless MKV
Sony UDP X1100ES Yes No info about lossless MKV
Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 Yes No info about lossless MKV
Raevon UBR-X100 Yes No info about lossless MKV
Raevon UBR-X200 Yes No info about lossless MKV
Media players:
Dune HD TV-301 Yes Confirmed by immersiveaudioalbum.com
Neumi Atom 4K Lite Yes Confirmed by immersiveaudioalbum.com
NVidia Shield TV and NVidia Shield TV Pro (2019 and newer models) Yes Confirmed by immersiveaudioalbum.com. Probably converts lossless to lossy.
Zidoo Yes No info about lossless MKV
Zappiti Yes No info about lossless MKV
Roku Ultra Yes No info about lossless MKV
Media players with Realtech RTD1619DR chip Yes
M2TS Lossless Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content PC with Windows VLC Yes
PC with Windows Kodi (Omega) Yes
PC with Windows Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Yes Choose "Exclusive mode" in advanced audio settings. No lossy track should exist in the file.
PC with Linux VLC Yes
PC with Linux Kodi (Omega) Yes
Xbox VLC Yes
Blu-ray players:
Panasonic DP-UB450 Yes
Sony X800M2 Yes
LG UBK90 Yes Probably
Sony UDP X1100ES Yes Probably
Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 Yes Probably
Raevon UBR-X100 Yes Probably
Raevon UBR-X200 Yes Probably
Oppo 103 Yes
Oppo 203 Yes Probably
Oppo 205 Yes Probably
Media players:
Dune HD TV-301 Yes Probably
Neumi Atom 4K Lite Yes Probably
NVidia Shield TV and NVidia Shield TV Pro (2019 and newer models). Yes Some say it does not work and if it works it probably converts lossless to lossy.
Zidoo Yes Probably
Zappiti Yes Probably
Roku Ultra Yes Probably
MLP (same as THD) Lossless Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content (PCM) PC with Windows Dolby Reference Player Yes No
PC with Windows VLC No Yes
Mac Dolby Reference Player Yes No
WAV (ADM BWF) Lossless PCM PC with Windows Dolby Atmos Renderer Yes No
Mac Dolby Atmos Renderer, Logic Pro Yes No

5. Download for listening in headphones/earbuds

There is no way to listen to Dolby Atmos lossless in headphones. Even if the file you listen to is lossless, the format becomes lossy when listening. Maybe you can listen via HDMI to JVC headphones that are listed in a table below.
The limit for headphones in Dolby Access Application is 16-bit 48 kHz. However, this is better than CD Quality but the problem is that only lossy DD+JOC can be played in the headphones. This is confirmed by Dolby and against the background that Dolby TrueHD in 8 channels + object data can be in 96 kHz 24-bit. When listening to fallback track in M2TS file with Microsoft Media Player you can hear 7.1+Dolby Atmos metadata that in comparison with MP4 file that only has 5.1+Dolby Atmos metadata.
Andoid 13 and newer support Dolby Atmos. iPhone 7 and newer support Dolby Atmos. 2018+ iPad model (iPad 6th gen or later). 2018+MacBook Air/Pro. 2020+ Mac model with Apple Silicon processors. Xbox One.
OraStream can be used for listening in headphones to Dolby Atmos.
Dolby Access - Dolby Atmos for headphones costs $15-20 (one time purchase).
Listening via VLC to headphones on Windows 10 and 11 does not work correctly, even if you can hear it sounds like Spatial Audio, what you hear is actually Multi Channel. Dolby Access for Windows 11 tell you if you have Spatial Audio and VLC did not output Dolby Atmos to Dolby Access, it doesn't matter if the sample rate for the headphones is set to 48 kHz.
What you can hear via Dolby Access for Home Theater you can also hear in Dolby Access for Headphones and vice versa, so check your AVR for what format is used.
That it is possible to listen to AC4 IMS via Logic Pro and Dolby Atmos Renderer on macOS proves that Apple can perform AC4 IMS also on its other devices such as the iPhone.
Download for listening in headphones/earbuds
File Format Sound Quality Format Used Hardware needed Player needed Additional Info
EC3 Lossy DD+JOC Mac QuickTime Player, Quick Look Typically the format is not used for customer delivery.
MP4 Lossy DD+JOC iPhone Photos, Files Photos under Media Type: Videos (if both sound and video), Files under Downloads (if only sound)
Android Phone Technically advanced ExoPlayer (probably)
Mac QuickTime Player, Quick Look
PC with Windows Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Application Dolby Atmos for Headphones is needed (Dolby Access). Windows 10 (22H2) or upgraded to 11 (24H2).
Xbox Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Application Dolby Atmos for Headphones is needed (Dolby Access)
AC4 Lossy AC4 IMS iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, Apple TV 4K Technically advanced AC4 IMS gives the best Dolby Atmos headphone experience.
MKV Lossy DD+JOC PC with Windows Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Application Dolby Atmos for Headphones is needed (Dolby Access). Windows 10 (22H2) or upgrade to 11 (24H2)
Xbox Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Application Dolby Atmos for Headphones is needed (Dolby Access).
Android Phone Technically advanced ExoPlayer (probably)
M2TS Lossy (fallback track) DD+JOC PC with Windows Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Application Dolby Atmos for Headphones is needed (Dolby Access). Windows 10 (22H2) or upgraded to 11 (24H2)
Xbox Microsoft Media Player and other Microsoft players Application Dolby Atmos for Headphones is needed (Dolby Access).
WAV (ADM BWF) Lossy AC4 IMS Mac Dolby Atmos Renderer, Logic Pro Typically the format is not used for customer delivery. AC4 IMS gives the best Dolby Atmos headphone experience.
PC with Windows Dolby Atmos Renderer Typically the format is not used for customer delivery. AC4 IMS gives the best Dolby Atmos headphone experience.
Binaural MP3 Lossy 2 channels Everything that plays stereo Everything that plays stereo No Dolby Atmos headphones required. Will be close to AC4 IMS.
Binaural WAV Lossy 2 channels Everything that plays stereo Everyone that plays stereo No Dolby Atmos headphones required. Will be close to AC4 IMS.

6. Music delivered on physical media for headphone or speaker listening

The normal way is to play a Blu-ray disc on a Blu-ray player that is conneceted to a Dolby Atmos enabled AV reciever. However it is possible to rip Blu-ray discs to MKV files. Blu-ray drive capable of ripping: Archgon BU40N (firmware adjustment needed to rip UHD).
MMH (Music Media Helper) is a program that can split an MKV file based on different chapters. Even MKVToolNix can do this.
ffmpeg, Handbrake and Subler seem to be conversion tools between different file formats.
Music delivered on physical media for headphone or speaker listening
Physical media Sound Quality Hardware needed Player needed Format used Additional info
SD card Lossy or lossless PC/Mac See list of Downloads above DD+JOC, Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content File that will be copied to a SD card and sent to a consumer.
USB Lossy or lossless PC/Mac/Hardware player See list of Downloads above DD+JOC, Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content File that will be copied to a USB memory and sent to a consumer.
CD Lossy or lossless PC/Mac/Hardware player See list of Downloads above DD+JOC, Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content File will be written to a CD-ROM disc and sent to a consumer.
DVD Lossy or lossless PC/Mac/Hardware player See list of Downloads above DD+JOC, Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content File will be written to a DVD-ROM disc and sent to a consumer.
Blu-ray Lossy or lossless PC/Mac/Hardware player See list of Downloads above DD+JOC, Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content File will be written to a BD-ROM disc and sent to a consumer.
Blu-ray audio disc Lossless PC/Gaming console/Hardware player For speakers you can use a hardware Blu-ray player or any application that can play a Blu-ray connected on a computer/gaming console and do the licensing and encryption issues and passthrough it to HDMI, most likely PC with Windows or Linux. With makeMKV application you can make MKV files from a Blu-ray disc that are in Blu-ray format and can play the music as described in Downloads above. Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos content The music can be written on Blu-ray discs in Blu-ray format (Technical advanced).

7. Online stores for download

In the table below you can see where it is possible to buy music for downloads in Dolby Atmos format.
Online stores for download:
Online store Web address
2L https://shop.2l.no
TRPTK https://trptk.com
Immersive Audio Album https://immersiveaudioalbum.com
NativeDSD https://www.nativedsd.com

8. Earbuds for Dolby Atmos

It is very difficult to know which earbuds/heaadphones really support Dolby Atmos.
Headphones optimized for Dolby Atmos ensure the best experience.
Listening via an Apple device always requires Apple-adapted Dolby Atmos headphones. An AV receiver can not play to headphones in Dolby Atmos. I have made a research on options available.
Earbuds for Dolby Atmos
Model Operating system support Additional info
Apple AirPods 3 or later macOS, iOS, Windows AirPods 3 are tested by Anthepriz.
Apple AirPods Pro first generation or later macOS, iOS, Windows
Apple Beats Fit Pro macOS, iOS, Windows
Apple Beats Studio Buds + macOS, iOS, Windows
LG TONE Free T90S Android, Windows Promoted on Dolby's web page.

9. Headphones for Dolby Atmos

When looking for headphones or earbuds, be observant because there is a high risk that the manufacturer states Dolby Atmos without the product actually supporting Dolby Atmos, so be critical of what you read.
My conclusion is that you always should look at Dolby's webpage.
Headphones for Dolby Atmos
Model Operating system support Additional info
Apple AirPods Max macOS, iOS, Windows USB-C
Apple Beats Solo 4 macOS, iOS, Windows
Apple Beats Studio Pro macOS, iOS, Windows
Astro A40 TR Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Astro A50 Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Audeze Maxwell Wireless Headset for Xbox Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100
boAt IMMORTAL IM-1000D Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Corsair HS75 XB Wireless Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT: T-Pain Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Cosmic Byte Equinox Kronos Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Cosmic Byte Equinox Neutrino Wired Headset Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 300 PRO Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 400HX Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 500 PRO Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 500 PRO HX Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 600 PRO HX Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 700 HX Promoted on Dolby's web page.
RIG 800 LX Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Victrix Gambit Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset Promoted on Dolby's web page.
Xbox Wireless Headset Promoted on Dolby's web page.
ZEB-Blitz Promoted on Dolby's web page.

10. Analog headphones

You do not need special headphones to experience Dolby Atmos. You only need special headphones when listening via Apple devices.
Analog headphones
Model Additional info
AKG K702
AKG K712
Audio Technica MX40/50
Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm Tested by Anthepriz.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 80 Ohm
Hifiman HE400i
Hifiman Sundara
JVC XP-EXT1 Listen on virtual 7.1.4 via HDMI. Probably the only way to listen lossless in headphones to Dolby Atmos.
LINSOUL HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite
Ollo Audio S5X 1.1 Tested by Michael G Wagner.
Philips SHP9500S
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO/560S/598/600/6XX/800S HD 490 PRO tested by Michael G Wagner.
Sony MDR-MV1
Sony MDR-7506

11. Other places to listen to Dolby Atmos music

In this article I have only presented how to listen to Dolby Atmos on common devices that you own as a consumer on a daily basis. In the table below you can see the list of places that have invested in Dolby Atmos Experience so far.
Other places to listen to Dolby Atmos music
Place Inside
Cars Lucid
Mercedes
Rivian
Lotus
Volvo
Clubs Ministry of Sound in London
Sound-Bar in Chicago
Halycon in San Francisco
Cinemas 7 800 cinemas (april 2023)

12. Articles about how to listen to Dolby Atmos

During my research I have found some articles which I link in the table below.
Articles about how to listen to Dolby Atmos:
Website Article Web address
Audiophile Style Ultimate Guide to High End Immersive Audio Click to read
digitaltrends What is Dolby Atmos Music, and how can you listen to it at home and on the go? Click to read
digitaltrends The ultimate guide to Dolby Atmos: what it is and how to get the best possible sound Click to read
ecoustics How (and Why) To Listen to Dolby Atmos Music on Your Receiver, Speakers or Soundbar Click to read
Immersive Audio Album How to listen: The guide to playing music in immersive audio Click to read
Immersive Audio Album How to listen to Dolby Atmos Click to read