Soundbar setup guide

Find out how to set up your soundbar and get answers to some frequently asked questions.

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How do I get a Dolby Atmos experience?

First things first, you’ll need to get a premium subscription to one of the top streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, or Roku for the full Dolby Atmos experience. This is because the entertainment you enjoy first has to be created and mixed using Dolby technologies and then streamed to you via one of these premium content paths. Alternatively, you can use a hardware device enabled with Dolby Atmos like a Blu-ray player.

How do I get a Dolby Atmos experience?

First things first, you’ll need to get a premium subscription to one of the top streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, or Roku for the full Dolby Atmos experience. This is because the entertainment you enjoy first has to be created and mixed using Dolby technologies and then streamed to you via one of these premium content paths. Alternatively, you can use a hardware device enabled with Dolby Atmos like a Blu-ray player.

What do I need for a Dolby Atmos experience?

Once you have your subscription to a provider or streaming service that delivers Dolby Atmos content, you’ll need a device enabled with Dolby Atmos. There are devices across all product categories that deliver the Dolby Atmos experience, including:

You may also connect streaming devices enabled with Dolby Atmos such as:

  • Fire TV 4K
  • Apple TV 4K
  • Xbox One systems

What do I need for a Dolby Atmos experience?

Once you have your subscription to a provider or streaming service that delivers Dolby Atmos content, you’ll need a device enabled with Dolby Atmos. There are devices across all product categories that deliver the Dolby Atmos experience, including:

You may also connect streaming devices enabled with Dolby Atmos such as:

  • Fire TV 4K
  • Apple TV 4K
  • Xbox One systems

These will need to be hooked up to a TV or soundbar enabled with Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos content is available through Dolby Atmos Blu-ray or premium-level subscriptions to streaming services or broadcast services that deliver Dolby Atmos content.

How to get set up

To experience the cinema-inspired revolution in sound that is Dolby Atmos, you’ll first need a way to play or stream Dolby Atmos content, and second, you’ll need to create your own Dolby Atmos home audio playback system.

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Tips for adding a subwoofer

There are lots of different places to install your subwoofer with your soundbar. Many factors including TV placement, furniture arrangement, and room dimensions play a role in where it is practical to place your subwoofer. It’s useful to experiment and find out where you’re getting the best response. For some people, installation next to the TV sounds best, for others, in a corner of the room is more practical. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to find the perfect spot for your subwoofer.
 
  • General tips for subwoofer placement
    • Face it towards the listening position
      • Typically in the front half of the viewing/listening space
    • Should be in close proximity to the soundbar
      • Left or Right of the soundbar/TV
      • Underneath the soundbar/TV
    • Corner placement
      • Can be practical but may cause issues listed below
  • Other considerations:
    • Having the soundbar and subwoofer far apart can cause frequency issues depending on the room 
    • The distance from the wall can directly impact low-frequency response (both positive and negative)
    • Placing the subwoofer inside cabinetry or other furniture can cause poor response and/or rattle/distortion
    • Placing the subwoofer behind the listening position is typically not recommended 
 
To sum up, the most common place to install your subwoofer is near the soundbar and TV, and often to the left or right of the soundbar. However, each living/viewing space is unique so the best approach is to start with the most common placement, and move the subwoofer around in the space until it sounds the best for your environment.

Ready to test your soundbar?

Most soundbars enabled with Dolby Atmos have an indicator which will let the user know when the device is receiving and playing Dolby Atmos content. The indicator may be an on-device display, LED light, or could be via a companion control app which runs on a mobile device. You’ll need to consult your product manual for details on how your device indicates Dolby Atmos.

Now that you’ve got your soundbar enabled with Dolby Atmos setup you will probably want to test its speakers. In terms of content, there are a variety of pieces you can start with.