Samsung offers a solution for those who want a Dolby Atmos in their homes but cannot afford it or do not have enough space: the first soundbar that includes a pair of Atmos-capable wireless speakers in the box.
With HW-K950 soundbar, Samsung is promising to bring a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos system -- which is used in fancy cinemas -- to homes.
According to The Verge, Atmos puts sound above with either ceiling-mounted or upward-firing speakers. Samsung's new soundbar has four (the .4 in 5.1.4) upward-firing sound beams that bounce off the ceiling to get the sound raining down. However, this soundbar is not just a soundbar. It comes with a subwoofer and two independent surrounds.
The two speakers and the soundbar shoot upwards and laterally. That means it has a traditional 5.1 system and the perception of four distinct sources from the ceiling. The extra speakers will help improve the directionality over a real all-in-one system.
Yamaha's YSP-5600 soundbar was the first to offer Atmos. It uses fancy software to create its sound-bouncing to be able to generate a "7.1.2" Dolby Atmos system. On the other hand, Samsung's surround speakers connect wirelessly to the soundbar keeping its set up less of a hassle, although the user still needs to find a good spot to put the surround speakers and the subwoofer.
Aside from Dolby Atmos, the Samsung HW-K950 also has effects from DTS:X soundtracks, as reported by CNET. Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are "object-based" surround formats that include height information designed to give more immersion than standard 5.1 or 7.1 soundtracks.
The HW-K950 will debut at CES 2016 in Las Vegas this week.
Meanwhile, Samsung has made some adjustments for its Radiant360, also known as Wireless Audio 360 speakers. Aside from the new colors and an enhanced touch interface, it's trotting out new applications for both the Gear S and Gear S2, a better smart home functionality and Multiroom application.
