Immersive audio is NOT surround sound, see:

Audio Engineer Stan Kybert:

So how does Dolby Atmos actually work? 

On a technical level, where stereo audio is limited to two channels of output, Atmos offers 128 discrete locations to send audio, which can move and alter at the mixer's requirements, utilising a connection to a supported DAW (Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton). While like 5.1 or 7.1 it uses a surrounding array of speakers for mixing, it doesn't suffer from the former's required numbers of speakers , and as a medium is adaptable to any system with Atmos technology installed.

“It is so much more”, says Stan. “You might have a forward-facing Dolby Atmos mix - drums, bass and vocal - coming at you and then you'll maybe use the Atmos technology to wrap an orchestra around the listener. Or you have extra width. With stereo there is this trend to use wideners but with Atmos it can be as wide as you ever need it and as tall as you ever want it. 

“The tools that Atmos gives me in height, width, depth and sub are everything you need in comparison to stereo. In stereo you are always making sacrifices when mixing, like if you want to hear the guitar you may have to turn the Hammond down. You are constantly having to make decisions and carve out EQs in consideration of what other instrumentation is playing. You don’t need to do that in Atmos as there is enough space for everybody. The music is so dynamic, and it is such a joy to experience.”

https://www.musicradar.com/news/an-audio-engineer-explains-why-dolby-atmos-music-is-definitely-going-to-supersede-stereo

@ghdprentice 

Listen to 25 or 6 to 4 on the album Only the Beginning by Chicago in Dolby Atmos for a good example of having "enough space for everybody":

@drbarney1 

 

Ok, fair enough. Then you are not an audiophile, or a person dedicated to high end audio. That makes you a normal person. Those of us that are tend to be solitary people that will do every thing possible to get the best possible sound… at the sweet spot. The sweet spot is assumed. Nothing wrong with having a good sounding system that everyone can enjoy… that makes you like most folks. The vast majority of people are not dedicated to the best sound possible. But your going to find those of us that are really dedicated to high sound quality here and on Audio Afficianado and a couple other forums.

@kota1

I am really happy that folks try to employ new technology to old problems. I am actually an early adopter, both in my personal life and professionally for over fifty years. My job was to evaluate new technology and to not adopt to early… or too late. To get technology that gained the most for a appropriate cost.

When evaluating new technology you have to look at what the objectives are and the whole entire picture. So, remember Quadrophonic… four channel sound… they had some good demos and a few albums. But it died. It was too soon.

So, multiple channels comes up again. It is absolutely spectacular for home theater. Which is fundamentally different than audio only at this time… if you are interested in high quality reproduction of music. The video distracts you from the nuances of the music. So, the sound quality is not as important. I have a great home theater system. It is great for home theater, but is completely inadequate compared to my 2 channel audio system.

I am not saying that some day in the future the convergence of home theater and audio only will not happen, I am sure it will. But not for decades.

Great, there are a few albums in Atmos that sound great on a mid-tier home theater system. So what. I have access to millions of albums in red book CD quality and over half a million in high resolution formats that will sound better on a two channel audio system… by far.

What I am very concerned about is sending the message to folks that want a great music system into chasing a dream that is not there yet. If I really want to hear great immersive audio… music… and have $10K, $50K, or $200K, then home theater is not it. End of story.

 

If I want a home theater that sounds ok with just music… sometimes good, ok, your on.

@ghdprentice

My job was to evaluate new technology

I can see your background in tech when you are dispensing advice in your posts, its very clear and articulate. I also see it in your room, its setup like an engineers space, with precision.

So, remember Quadrophonic… four channel sound

I want the Black Ice Audio F360 that has a Jim Fosgate design. It is today’s version of Quad, I could slide it right into my rack and connect the RCA outs to the RCA ins on my active speakers (the XLR ins are connected to my Marantz processor and I could toggle between both preamps). I can get it at a reasonable price, its all analog, tube based. See the Zeos review. "Quadraphonic is Back" here:

https://youtu.be/noe6GsyYDJc

So, multiple channels comes up again.

In an object based format that is backward compatible with everything, yes.

Which is fundamentally different than audio only at this time… if you are interested in high quality reproduction of music.

At this time...2023? No, we can agree to disagree here. Atmos music and concerts on blueray are NOT Hollywood movie productions, in the least.

Great, there are a few albums in Atmos that sound great on a mid-tier home theater system.

Here I am confused, what albums and whose system? There are tons of great albums in Atmos on streaming services that sound fantastic on even budget systems according to the reviewers. This is Andrew Robinsons opinion of the Sony HT-A9 and I think this system would serve Joe Sixpack well:

https://youtu.be/eHcjvdGbaa0

So what. I have access to millions of albums in red book CD quality and over half a million in high resolution formats that will sound better on a two channel audio system… by far.

How can I argue what you have? It is a SOA two channel system, built by an expert in technology with a six figure budget. I got no beef and am thrilled for you. yes, I would very much enjoy a stereo that has been purpose built over years (decades) too, great job!

What I am very concerned about is sending the message to folks that want a great music system into chasing a dream that is not there yet.

I am very concerned that someone starting out today that has a budget (large or small) would waste it by building only half a system, a channel based one, and not be able to experience all that object based audio has to offer.

If I really want to hear great immersive audio… music… and have $10K, $50K, or $200K, then home theater is not it. End of story.

So, let me add to your opinion with facts, anyone wishing to experience GREAT immersive audio is invited to stop by my other thread on getting a proper setup and you can get started for under $2K and build a blow your sox off, SOA system for under $50K:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/how-to-setup-your-room-for-atmos-and-immersive-audio