Apple TV 4K: How to Get an Atmos Sound Bar and a 4K HDR TV for about $ 1,100

Dolby Atmos support has arrived on the Apple TV 4K, joining the ranks of other streaming consoles like the Roku Ultra, Amazon Fire TV and even some gaming consoles, like the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. Combined At existing Dolby Vision Supporting HDR, the Apple TV 4K is thus the only set-top box to "turn on all the lights" and to have a complete content catalog. But you will not be able to use the standard multi-directional audio or enhanced picture quality features on tvOS 12 without the proper equipment.

Assuming you already own Apple TV 4K (the non-4K model does not support Atmos), you'll want to install with a soundbar ready for Atmos and a 4K HDR TV. The sky is really the limit in terms of cost, but you can get a TV that supports Dolby Vision and a soundbar compatible with Atmos without breaking the bank. First, let's talk about sound bars.

If you buy an Atmos-compatible soundbar, the supported content available on Apple TV 4K will be objectively better than in a traditional soundbar. The Atmos signature effect adds vertical depth to the sound presentation. For example, what is above or below the level of the eyes on the screen is reflected by the audio that has a sense of place.

You have a choice of many options, including several speakers that bounce the sound on your ceiling, although only one model easily matches the size in terms of size and price. The Vizio SB36512-F6 is affordable and sounds good for you.

Photo of Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

At $ 499, Vizio's new Atmos-based 5.1.2 off-the-shelf system is worth far more than the next cheapest Atmos audio bar we can find, the $ 599 Sony HT-X9000F. The installation is simple and good results can be obtained in a few minutes after you have plugged it in.

Some Atmos sound bars do not have a vertical channel, opting instead to virtualize (read: fake) the Atmos effect. Virtualization may seem decent, as we've heard with Sony's $ 599 model. But if you are already spending a lot of money on sound, you might as well get a soundbar bouncing off your ceiling. Although the SB36512-F6 is Vizio's low-end Atmos system, it has up-front speakers, as well as two satellite speakers that you can position behind you for a more complete effect.

The left, right and center channels of this 5.1.2 system are placed at the front of the soundbar. Two speakers are facing up and the rather small wireless subwoofer serves as a connection point for the two wired satellite speakers, which have strings long enough for you to flank them behind your couch. These satellite speakers have a grille somewhat hidden on the top which, although not described in the manual, seems to add a little verticality to the sound simply by letting it leak from above. It's not very noticeable, but it's still a nice touch in this cheap Atmos audio system.

During our tests, it was necessary to adjust the audio delay with the included remote control, which can be quite disastrous to work. A bare display on the remote keys through the settings, and the changes are reflected by an LED strip on the soundbar. If you want to confirm that what you hear is Atmos, navigating to the right setting will activate the recording of the saddest man of all time, who shakes the input and sound format with a sense of unease. Who are you, the guy from the bar of his Vizio? I want to buy a drink.

Atmos-ready content is dynamic and punchy thanks to the Vizio SB36512-F6, and it is clear that each channel works hard during the most hectic scenes of movies like Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Avengers: Infinity War, and basically any time in Baby Driver. This configuration puts you in the middle of its sound orb, placing the sounds where they belong. Action movies can sometimes be so charged that it becomes difficult to enjoy audio design and therefore fully appreciate Atmos, but Planet Earth 2 is another good indicator for judging this Atmos system. In the jungle episode, the birds that sing in a tree sound like they were above you, and the density of the trees and the multitude of rumblings that occur within each seem to be well presented here.

On the Apple TV 4K, you will find the largest catalog of Atmos content to rent or buy to own it on Vudu and on Apple's own iTunes Store. Netflix and Prime Video also offer a decent selection of Atmos-ready movies and TV shows. In the case of Netflix, some of its titles support Full HD resolution for Atmos. So you can turn to Vudu or iTunes to meet your HDR 4K needs.

Photo of Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

We do not just choose the 4K TCL 6 Series HDR TV because of its affordable price, but its excellent image for the price is what sets it apart from the others. Beyond its responsive and intuitive built-in Roku software, the 55-inch model features 96 full local dimming zones, which is more than the comparatively affordable TV series P, and is enough to display game contrast levels, and more.

You'll certainly notice better picture quality in a more expensive TV, especially in the response rate service, but if you're considering a no-regrets upgrade on the quality or price side, TCL Series 6 is a evidence. Importantly, the 6 Series supports Dolby Vision HDR, so with an Atmos-compatible sound bar, it offers the highest level of audio and video quality available on the Apple TV 4K.

Aside from its disappointing viewing angles, which offer a slightly muted experience for those sitting outside the center, the biggest disappointment of this TV is the weakness of its two 8W speakers. Compared to its brilliant image, TCL's integrated audio solution continues to be the weak point of the experiment. But if you are already interested in investing in an Atmos sound bar, this will not be a major problem.

Coupled with the Vizio Atmos Soundbar, this TCL 4K HDR TV combines the installation with a solid Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos configuration for Apple TV 4K that will not annihilate your wallet. For a product category where it's so easy to spend so much on a single piece of the big entertainment center, we think you'll be pretty happy to have upgraded this $ 1,100 package.

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