Hello everyone.
So, Sonos has just announced another bunch of speakers that I can't afford. The Era 300 and the Era 100. The 300 is an interesting proposition, especially when compared with the HomePod as it has bluetooth and, with an adaptor, can have a line in. This allows for other input devices such as turntables or computer sound cards. This applies to both, but where things really get interesting is with the 300's ability to play atmos mixed tracks. Now, for now, atmos on Apple Music isn't supported, but it is coming. Basically, the 300 may well be what the HomePod 2 should have been, even if it is £100 more expensive.
The 300's can also be used as rear speakers with the Sonos arc, which is a sound bar with up facing speakers to create atmosphere with hight channels. Many argue that you need a physical speaker in the ceiling to really make this work but that's a different argument. The 300s, in conjunction with either the Sonos arc or the Sonos beam gen 2, can, in theory create a hugely immersive experience when it comes to atmos....
Trouble is, if you have audio description on, as I do most of the time, it would seem that many streaming services compress the sound stage to 2.0, rendering such systems as the Sonos, useless. Either we get the description, or we get great sound.
It is my understanding that Apple TV plus does include Atmos when we switch on our audio description. I was wondering if there were any other services such as Disney plus or Netflix, that any of you are aware of that also allow for Atmos with audio description?
I'm currently rocking the Sonos beam gen 1 with an Apple TV 4K, and it's good, it's fine... But if there were a possibility of having something more cinematic whilst getting the description, it might be a long and slow up grade I'd be willing to look into.
Thoughts? Feelings?
Just as an aside, I'm not really an audiophile. I like good sound, but have come to the conclusion that content is far more important. There is a point at which a story or a song should seize your soul and all hearing becomes relatively irrelevant. Still, big boomy noises flying about my lounge, I'd like a piece of that.