Dolby Have Found a Way to Make Built-In TV Speakers Awesome

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect blends audio from a TV’s sound system with wireless speakers and automatically calibrates everything for the best listening experience.

Dolby is on the verge of ushering in a new era of adaptability and immersion with its groundbreaking innovation, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. This innovative technology introduces an exciting feature that seamlessly harmonizes a television’s sound system with wireless accessory speakers, culminating in a heightened and all-encompassing Dolby Atmos sound encounter. The beauty of FlexConnect lies in its capacity to integrate the TV’s built-in speakers into the auditory equation, making it a game-changer that doesn’t necessarily hinge on a central soundbar.

In an era where personalization and customization reign supreme, Dolby is at the forefront of catering to these preferences. The eminent TV manufacturer, TCL, will be the trailblazer in implementing FlexConnect within its much-anticipated 2024 TV lineup. Not content with merely introducing the feature, TCL also has plans to unveil a suite of wireless speakers meticulously engineered to optimize and amplify the FlexConnect experience.

At the heart of FlexConnect’s allure is its ingenious ability to intelligently optimize sound in any spatial arrangement and speaker configuration. This newfound freedom allows for the strategic placement of one or more wireless speakers anywhere within a room, free from the constraints of meticulous positioning. The convenience factor is further elevated by the absence of intricate setup procedures. Dolby’s ingenious implementation utilizes the TV’s integrated microphones to precisely locate and calibrate each wireless speaker, bringing about an effortlessly immersive auditory landscape.

Dolby’s meticulous approach ensures a symphonic symphony of audio that resonates harmoniously from the TV speakers to every wireless speaker in the vicinity. This dynamic optimization hinges on an intricate understanding of each speaker’s capabilities and positioning, guaranteeing a holistic auditory performance. When faced with the conundrum of a TV’s intrinsic speakers falling short on bass capabilities, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect exhibits its intuitive prowess by judiciously rerouting those frequencies to the wireless speakers, thereby sparing the integrated drivers from undue strain.

The imminent unveiling of FlexConnect at the prestigious IFA event adds an air of anticipation to this pioneering feature. Dolby’s commitment to offering a seamless audio experience that accentuates the intrinsic layout of the room, power outlet locations, and furniture arrangement is evident. Yet, questions persist about the practical nuances of this innovation. Concerns over potential latency or audio dropouts loom, and some ponder if this advancement might discourage potential investment in a front-and-center Atmos soundbar. The distinction between TV-produced height effects and soundbars’ contributions is a valid point of contention. However, the prospect of positioning wireless speakers strategically at the room’s forefront opens a realm of possibilities, rendering myriad configurations feasible.

In the panorama of audio technology, we’ve witnessed players like Samsung, LG, and Sony endeavor to blend and synchronize sound emanating from their signature soundbars and TVs to craft an immersive auditory escapade. With names like Q-Symphony and HT-A9 7.1 Atmos system, they’ve aimed to deliver fuller, more encompassing soundscapes while maintaining the flexibility of speaker placement. Dolby appears to have taken up the mantle with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, aiming to address these very facets.

Undoubtedly, the intrinsic requirement for this feature involves embracing an entirely new television experience, complete with its accompanying suite of wireless speakers. This exclusivity could potentially limit the immediate appeal to those who have recently procured 4K HDR televisions. Yet, as the tapestry of time unfurls and the cadence of technology marches forward, the hope remains that Atmos and wireless surround sound will embrace a new era of convenience, seamlessly integrating into the fabric of our entertainment spaces when the time comes for our next TV upgrade.