Apple Music Dolby Atmos requirements?

[bmac89]

Hello,

My understanding is that my Apple devices (iPad Pro 9.7”) are too old for Dolby Atmos but reading the Apple Music blurb it implies that it will work on any Apple Device (with latest version of music app) when using AirPods / AirPods Pro - is that correct? Perhaps it is spatial audio only and not Dolby Atmos? Obviously it won’t work through the inbuilt speakers being an old device but that doesn’t matter.

Thanks.

 

[thettareddast]

atmos is 1 implementation of spatial audio.

the spatial audio is in the signal/file

the software will stream the spatial file, if at the end point there is compatible hardware (e.g. airpods pro)

of course, these compatible hardware are not necessary true multi-channel devices, but the signal is mixed and tuned such that they can virtually simulate 'surround' sounds.

bottom line:
1. apple music will stream atmos files if you have the right device
2. you can force apple music to stream atmos files even through your ipad speakers
3. it might not sound "right"... but virtualized atmos through compatible 2-channel hardware does not necessary sound good either... neither does true atmos on a true atmos setup

 

[bmac89]

bottom line:
1. apple music will stream atmos files if you have the right device
2. you can force apple music to stream atmos files even through your ipad speakers
3. it might not sound "right"... but virtualized atmos through compatible 2-channel hardware does not necessary sound good either... neither does true atmos on a true atmos setup

When you say right device do you mean only the iPhone/iPad models on the list or does AirPods Pro + old/unlisted iPad/iPhone work?

There is currently no settings for Dolby Atmos or Spatial Audio in the settings app on iOS 15. Perhaps it only shows in settings (on an old device) after connecting AirPods Pro?

Thanks

 

[thettareddast]

When you say right device do you mean only the iPhone/iPad models on the list or does AirPods Pro + old/unlisted iPad/iPhone work?

There is currently no settings for Dolby Atmos or Spatial Audio in the settings app on iOS 15. Perhaps it only shows in settings (on an old device) after connecting AirPods Pro?

Thanks

You should see an option in Settings\Music to force Atmos to 'Always On'.

 

[bmac89]

You should see an option in Settings\Music to force Atmos to 'Always On'.

There is no option showing in settings. Does this only show when you are subscribed to Apple Music? I don’t recall it showing in the past when subscribed, but I can’t be certain.

As well as no Dolby Atmos options in the settings app on both my iPad and iPhone, when I connect my AirPods Pro 2 and long press volume control in control centre - spatial audio toggle is not there. It only shows noise control.

My AirPods Pro 2 has firmware version 5E133 which is not the latest version, but I believe it was released earlier this year so I don’t think that would be the cause of the issue. However the firmware does not update despite following the necessary steps. Perhaps this is because I’m not on the newest version of iOS?

Many Thanks