The Samsung HW-Q700B soundbar turns out to be a perfect match for Dolby Atmos music
The object-based codec may now be the defacto sound standard for movies and high-budget TV shows, but increasingly it’s the most entertaining way to listen to music too. Music subscription services including Apple, Amazon, Tidal and Qobuz all offer 3D audio as part of their premium tier offerings, but when you select and listen to Atmos music on headphones, you’re actually listening to a binaural render.
While this can sound more immersive than two-channel stereo, it’s not the same as hearing native Dolby Atmos delivered via a speaker system. The audio design of a Dolby Atmos Music mix takes on a whole new dimension when it comes from physical speakers. It’s spatially larger, with greater dimensionality. The audio mix has greater focus.
The Samsung HW-Q700B comes into its own with Dolby Atmos Music, and you can get it from a number of sources. The most easily accessible is the