Sky has confirmed that it will offer Dolby Atmos audio this year.
An Atmos software update will be rolled out later this summer. The first beneficiary of the 3D audio upgrade will be live Premier League football, where Dolby Atmos will partner UHD visuals. Dolby Atmos will most likely be delivered within a Dolby Digital + container.
Sky has also partnered with Devialet to create the Sky Soundbox an all-in-one TV sound system. Devialet is well known as an audio innovator, and has been lauded for its Phantom wireless speaker and DSP engineering.
The Soundbox packs in six 76mm woofers and three full-range 51mm drivers, angled to bounce sound off room walls. The result is a spatial surround sound effect, said to recreate the ‘immersive audio experience’ normally reserved for a full home cinema system. Total power output is rated at 140W. No subwoofer is required. Connections comprise HDMI loopthrough, and a digital optical audio input. The Soundbox also supports Bluetooth music streaming from compatible devices.
When paired with the Sky Q STB, viewers will unlock Sky Q Sound, a DSP sound mode designed by Devialet to automatically refine the audio for a range of Sky’s entertainment and sports content. Metadata delivered by the Sky Q box tailors the Sky Soundbox’s audio.
The Sky Soundbox will retail at £799, however current and new Sky customers will only pay £299, while new and existing Sky Q Multiscreen customers can get it for £249, which seems quite the steal. Customers can register their interest at Sky.com/SkySoundbox.
