Dolby Atmos FlexConnect can make immersive audio better and easier
Dolby has been the top name in surround sound for decades. Now the audio technology company has unveiled a much easier way to bring the powerful and immersive sound experience into your home.
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is a new version of Dolby Atmos that allows you to link your TV’s sound system to certified wireless speakers. The interesting thing here is that the sound is then optimized for each room layout and speaker setup, so you don’t have to worry about getting the perfect speaker placement.
TV brand TCL will be the first to launch Dolby Atmos FlexConnect enabled TVs, as well as a range of speakers to match.
How does Dolby Atmos FlexConnect work?
Dolby Atmos sound is already fantastic and integrated into some of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers. But it requires a very specific setup. Some rooms are small, have an odd layout, are cluttered with too much furniture, or simply don’t have enough power outlets nearby. All of these factors can make it difficult or even impossible to accurately set up and calibrate the device.
Dolby claims that FlexConnect is the answer. This new technology gives you the convenience of the way wireless audio currently works, but with Dolby Atmos sound immersion.
It requires no additional equipment or cables, instead using what Dolby calls acoustic mapping. This uses the microphones of a compatible TV to understand where each FlexConnect speaker is in the room, regardless of the room size and whether there is any furniture in the way.
After this quick and automatic calibration process is over, the audio is intelligently balanced between the TV and the speakers. Sounds are accurately placed in your room in a 360-degree soundscape, giving you an Atmos experience wherever you sit.
We don’t have an official launch date for TCL’s Dolby Atmos FlexConnect certified TVs yet, but they will be showcased at IFA 2023. We expect this new technology to be adopted by other TV brands over time. If successful, it could completely transform the home cinema experience, but it would take a new TV to take advantage of it.