The ultimate Dolby Atmos experience may be in your car

Not everything pops out into such a dramatic dramatic thing, there were some tracks where something was lost (or rather obtained) in the translation. The reverb was one of the elements that sometimes seem unclear how the mixer handles with some older trucks. Snare from Elton John’s “Melt” Honky Chateau There are extra verbs that felt strangely out of place and were clearly not intended to be isolated. Like any mix, it all comes down to choice, not everything is equal. Still, almost everything I heard sounded good as it spread across the Optiq system.

Speaking of the system, you may be wondering Any A good stereo track sounds this better than a sound system that is as good as the Optiq. After bouncing back and forth, I can clearly say no. Stereo tracks can make a very good sound, but no one has the clarity, punch or immersion of the Dolby Atmos counterpart. I’ve never mistaken a random stereo track for Atmos. The closest thing was Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” In comparison, Peter Gabriel’s stereo “Sledgehammer” sounded rather flat. (I’m sorry, but I was just as surprised as OG Genesis fans.)

It cannot be overstated how important the blank sonic canvas provided by the whispering interior of the Optiq EV is. You really need to goose the volume to feel the perfect Atmos music effect, and loud cars with burning engines won’t hit it, especially considering they tend to ruin the low end. By locking and loading Amazon Music into a dash, putting a ton of tracks at your fingertips, Cadillac’s incredible Super Cruise handoff driving system provided a refreshing way to fall into music, making every drive a unique moment.

The challenges remain

Optiq is incredible when it comes to stunning Atmos Music streaming, like the speaker setup we witnessed at Wynn, but it is also a barrier to entry. I talked about classic rock for a reason. Not everyone can afford a new Cadillac (certainly not me). Taht said Dolby either more than 25 automakers have announced plans or are already at Atmos Music Mix, from Mercedes-Benz to Hyundai Genesis. Nowadays, most are as expensive as new technology.

There are some more affordable ways to get similarities to my Optiq experience. It has several soundbars and standalone speakers that allow you to stream Atmos music directly. Sonos Arc Ultra (9/10, wired recommended) and 300 Sonos Era.

But even if Atmos Music expands to more than 20 streaming services (Spotify is a notable holdout), Dolby Atmos Soundbars It can be more difficult than you would expect. AirPlay added ATMOS streaming Home Pod Last year, however, third party support is whimsical. Amazon’s Echo Studio Atmos speakers have been discontinued. Dolby says some devices added casting, but the company was unable to provide numbers or models.

Ecosystems like Atmos Music take time to collect steam. There are always hurdles as new software and hardware options expand. What impressed me most about Optiq was how easily accessible it was, and helped me get to the casual listeners to a clear Atmos Music Fiend. I hope Atmos’ music keeps dripping. The music is ready, the medium is ready. Let’s take it to people now.