The Problem With Dolby Atmos

[Tre2023]

Sound Check is turned OFF in my devices. Though, Apple Music’s Dolby Atmos output is louder on the Apple TV 4K than on any other device. Tidal Dolby Atmos output is extremely low on every single device in which I’ve played it.

 

[goat76]

That's a feature, not a bug. Atmos mixes aren't allowed to be loudness war victims, They tend to have higher dynamic range than modern stereo mixes.

What I described in an earlier post (#169)) is that when using the Tidal app on Apple TV, the volume level is extremely low for the Atmos music content. It's not just the -18 Integrated LUFS we are talking about here.

On my Marantz Cinema 50 receiver, to get a moderate level out of a 2-channel track with an integrated LUFS level of around -12 to -14, I can have the volume at 56-60 on the receiver. But if I want a similar moderate volume out from an Atmos track, I must raise the level to around 78-82 on the receiver. If I go back to a 2-channel track with that level, it’s “freaking scary loud”.

 

[Albert Dagger]

What I described in an earlier post (#169)) is that when using the Tidal app on Apple TV, the volume level is extremely low for the Atmos music content. It's not just the -18 Integrated LUFS we are talking about here.

On my Marantz Cinema 50 receiver, to get a moderate level out of a 2-channel track with an integrated LUFS level of around -12 to -14, I can have the volume at 56-60 on the receiver. But if I want a similar moderate volume out from an Atmos track, I must raise the level to around 78-82 on the receiver. If I go back to a 2-channel track with that level, it’s “freaking scary loud”.

It's a dialnorm issue. Modern AV processors and receivers can defeat that. I have a Marantz AV10 and I assume the Cinema 50 can do the same. You just need to disable Loudness management in the settings. Check here: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/defeating-dialnorm.3253654/

 

[goat76]

It's a dialnorm issue. Modern AV processors and receivers can defeat that. I have a Marantz AV10 and I assume the Cinema 50 can do the same. You just need to disable Loudness management in the settings. Check here: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/defeating-dialnorm.3253654/

Thank you, I will check that out, but now that I have started using AirPlay using the iPad for the Atmos music playback, there is no longer an extreme volume problem. That volume problem only occurs when using the Tidal app in the Apple TV. When I am now using AirPlay, I only need a volume of around 62-66 on the Marantz, and I no longer have to be cautious with the volume when going back to 2-channel audio.

 

[Albert Dagger]

Thank you, I will check that out, but now that I have started using AirPlay using the iPad for the Atmos music playback, there is no longer an extreme volume problem. That volume problem only occurs when using the Tidal app in the Apple TV. When I am now using AirPlay, I only need a volume of around 62-66 on the Marantz, and I no longer have to be cautious with the volume when going back to 2-channel audio.

I had the same issue with Tidal and Apple TV, and it disappeared when I bought the AV10 in 2023. As you said, no issues with AirPlay at all!