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How to Listen to Dolby Atmos on Spotify?


spotify dolby atmos cover

Have you ever watched a movie in Dolby Atmos? If so, you've probably experienced its powerful three-dimensional sound and deeply immersive audio. Dolby Atmos brings a whole new level of depth to the way we hear — placing sound all around you for a cinematic experience.

Today, Dolby Atmos, a Spatial Audio technology is becoming increasingly mainstream. From smartphones to headphones, many devices now proudly tout Dolby Atmos support. Streaming giants like Apple Music, have already embraced this next-gen Dolby Atmos.

But what about Spotify? Does Spotify support Dolby Atmos? As of now, Spotify hasn't officially added support for Dolby Atmos. Don't worry, though — a few creative workarounds can give you a taste of spatial audio while using Spotify. In this article, we'll walk you through how to listen to Dolby Atmos on Spotify step by step.

Part 1. Does Spotify Have Dolby Atmos?

leaked spotify dolby atmos interface

There's growing excitement around the possibility that Spotify may soon introduce Dolby Atmos to its platform. However, Spotify hasn't made any official announcements regarding a release date, pricing, or the features we might expect from such an update.

You might come across playlists labeled "Spatial Audio" while browsing the app. But don't be fooled—these are often user-created playlists with eye-catching titles designed to attract more clicks. Despite the name, they offer the same standard Lossless audio quality as any other Spotify track.

So, does that mean enabling Dolby Atmos on Spotify is completely off the table? Not exactly. While Spotify doesn't natively have Dolby Atmos at the moment, you can still approximate the immersive experience by using playback devices and headphones that support spatial audio, along with certain third-party software enhancements.

Part 2. How to Listen to Dolby Atmos on Spotify

Next, we will explore how to utilize the built-in Spatial Audio features of different playback and output devices, along with some third-party software, to use Dolby Atomos on Spotify.

How to Get Dolby Atmos on Spotify on Android

get dolby atmos on spotify on android

  1. First, you need to have a compatible phone. Some Android devices come with built-in support for Dolby Atmos. Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, and certain Huawei models often include Dolby Atmos capabilities.
  2. Connect your spatial audio-capable output device, go to Settings > Sounds and Vibration > Advanced Sound Settings or Sound Quality and Effects, and activate Dolby Atmos.
  3. Open Spotify, access Settings via your profile icon, choose the highest quality under "Music Quality" to improve the Spatial Audio effect.

With devices powered simultaneously by Spatial Audio feature, you can now enjoy immersive listening experience almost the same as that provided by native Dolby Audio Music. Additionally, you can utilize softwares to enhance your listening experience on Android.

Utilizing External Apps: Download an app like 'Dolby On' which is designed to enhance audio playback with richer sound quality. Configure its settings to optimize music playback on Spotify.

How to Use Dolby Atmos on Spotify on iPhone

use dolby atmos on spotify on iphone

  1. Confirm that your iPhone supports Spatial Audio (iPhone 7 or later).
  2. Pair your Spatial Audio-compatible headphones, like AirPods Pro or AirPods Max.
  3. Open the Control Center by pulling downward from the top right portion of your screen.
  4. Press and hold the volume slider. When additional options appear, tap "Spatialize Stereo" to enable it.

How to Listen to Dolby Atmos on Spotify on PC

listen to dolby atmos on spotify on pc

  1. Ensure Spatial Audio-capable earbuds or headphones are connected to your PC.
  2. Launch the Control Panel and proceed to 'Sound'.
  3. Click with the right button of your mouse on your audio device and choose 'Properties'.
  4. Under the 'Spatial sound' tab, choose 'Windows Sonic for Headphones' and click 'Apply'.

You can also utilize some softwares to simulate Dolby Atmos listening experience on PC, here’s how you can do it:

  1. Dolby Access for Atmos: Download Dolby Access from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, set up Dolby Atmos for headphones. This app provides a virtual Atmos experience by enriching the surround sound and height channels, even with Spotify's standard stereo soundtracks.
  2. Sound Cards with Dolby Features: Advanced sound cards like those from Creative or Asus often come with software that simulates Atmos effects, enhancing the depth and width of the audio field.

How to Have Dolby Atmos on Spotify on Mac

have dolby atmos on spotify on mac

  1. Ensure your AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or compatible Beats headphones are connected to your Mac.
  2. Select the icon for AirPods or Beats within your menu bar.
  3. For two-channel stereo content, choose "Spatialize Stereo". You can activate "Head Tracked" for dynamic head tracking or select "Fixed" for regular Spatial Audio.

These setups leverage the existing capabilities of your devices and incorporate some third-party tools to significantly enhance your Spotify listening experience. They aim to emulate the richness and depth of Dolby Atmos, wherever possible.

Part 3. How to Keep Lossless Audio Quality on Spotify to Better Simulate

When simulating Dolby Atmos from standard Spotify tracks, the quality of the original audio plays a major role in the final listening experience. Simply put, the better the source, the more immersive the "converted" spatial audio will feel. That’s why starting with high-quality music is essential.

If you're looking for a reliable tool to download lossless Spotify tracks, DRmare Spotify Music Converter is a solid option. It allows you to download songs directly from Spotify while preserving their original audio quality — a key factor for enhancing the simulated Dolby Atmos effect. Even better, it lets you save tracks as FLAC, WAV, or MP3 files, so you can keep them forever without needing a Spotify Premium subscription.

Step 1. Download the DRmare Spotify Music Converter through the button below and launch it. Click the "Log in" button to sign into your Spotify free or premium account. Browse your library and click the "Add" > "Add to List" to load your favorite songs to the upload window.

import spotify playlists to drmare music converter

Step 2. Click the menu button at the top right corner. Hit "Preference" on the menu that pops up, and on the window that pops up, click "Conversion". In the dropdown of "Sample Rate", "Bit Depth", and "Bit Rate", you can choose up to 192,000Hz, 24bit, and 320kbps respectively, select them as needed, and hit "OK" to save the changes.

adjust audio parameters for spotify playlist

Step 3. Finally, have you noticed the "Convert" button which is located at the bottom right? Click it, and your lossless quality music will soon appear on your computer as FLAC, WAV, or MP3 files. You can then use these to enjoy your lossless Dolby Atmos listening experience!

convert and save spotify playlists to computer

Part 4. The Introduction of Dolby Atmos, HiFi, Hi-Res

Maybe sometimes you get confused by these different audio terms, let’s clarify what are they respectively and the differences among them before diving deeper.

dolby atmos technology explained

Dolby Atmos music represents a significant advancement in audio technology by expanding beyond traditional stereo to utilize up to 34 channels for a three-dimensional audio experience. This enables sound engineers to manipulate individual sound elements within a mix, positioning them throughout a spatial field, not just from left to right, but also vertically and around the listener.

The innovation of Dolby Atmos lies in its ability to create a more immersive, realistic sound environment, which enhances the listening experience by providing a sense of being inside the music. This technology is adaptable to various audio setups, ensuring that even listeners without sophisticated equipment can enjoy the depth and space that Dolby Atmos offers.

high fidelity audio systems

HiFi (High Fidelity) is about quality reproduction of sound. High Fidelity audio systems reproduce sound as close as possible to the original recording, without adding distortion or noise. It's about clarity and fidelity to the original sound across the audible range.

hires audio format details

Hi-Res Audio takes the concept of HiFi further by offering higher sampling rates and greater bit depth than standard digital audio formats like CDs, which are limited to 44.1 kHz/16 bit. Hi-Res Audio typically involves sampling rates of 96 kHz or 192 kHz at 24 bit, allowing for a broader and more accurate reproduction of sound. This makes it a superior form of HiFi, designed for audiophiles and serious music lovers who demand the best possible sound quality.

Overall, Hi-Res Audio is an enhanced version of HiFi, delivering superior audio quality with higher sampling rates and greater bit depths. Meanwhile, Dolby Atmos goes beyond traditional stereo by utilizing up to 34 channels to craft a three-dimensional audio environment. This allows for precise spatial placement of sounds, providing listeners with a deeply immersive experience. By understanding these definitions and differences, you can better appreciate the distinctions and advantages of each format and how they contribute to the overall listening experience.

Part 5. FAQs about Spotify Dolby Atmos

Q1. Does Dolby Atmos Work on Spotify​?

A1. Not natively. Spotify does not currently support Dolby Atmos playback. While you might see playlists labeled as "Spatial Audio" on the platform, they are not true Dolby Atmos mixes. However, you can simulate a spatial audio experience using devices or headphones that support Dolby Atmos or other 3D audio processing technologies. The effect won't be the same as native Dolby Atmos, but it can enhance the soundstage.

Q2. Why Doesn't Spotify Have Dolby Atmos?

A2. Spotify hasn't officially stated why Dolby Atmos support is missing, but there are likely a few reasons:

  • Technical integration: Dolby Atmos requires additional mixing, encoding, and playback capabilities.
  • Licensing and costs: Implementing Atmos support could mean paying additional licensing fees or investing in content production.
  • Focus on Spotify HiFi: Spotify has been working on its long-awaited HiFi tier, which may be their priority before introducing advanced spatial formats like Atmos.

Q3. When Will Spotify Support Dolby Atmos?

A3. As of now, there is no confirmed release date or official announcement regarding Dolby Atmos support on Spotify. Rumors have circulated alongside the delayed rollout of Spotify HiFi, which was first teased in 2021. While it's possible Dolby Atmos could come with a future premium tier, nothing has been confirmed publicly.

Q4. What's the Best Audio Quality on Spotify?

A4. Currently, the best audio quality on Spotify is:

  • 320 kbps using the OGG Vorbis codec (available to Premium subscribers)
  • For Free users, streaming quality tops out at 160 kbps

Part 6. Conclusion

Although Spotify hasn't supported Dolby Atmos yet, we can utilize the intrinsic Spatial Audio capabilities of devices or some third party softwares to simulate the listening experience provided by Dolby Atmos. Furthermore, even if Spotify does start getting Dolby Atmos one day, there will inevitably be some tracks that don't have a Dolby Atmos version. Therefore, the techniques discussed in this article are likely to remain valuable for a long time. So, leverage these methods and immerse yourself in a richer world of music!

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