Best YouTube Dolby Atmos trailers for an impressive 3D experience

On YouTube, users share an impressive selection of trailers with outstanding sound details. Although YouTube doesn’t natively support Dolby Atmos, it’s worth enjoying these trailers with headphones as they are often mixed binaurally for an immersive sound experience.

If you have a Dolby Atmos home theater, you can rejoice, but normal headphones are actually sufficient for the home theater sound. The soundtrack is usually adapted so that the 3D sound works well on as many end devices as possible by default. A bit like Netflix Spatial Audio optimizes the sound, even if you don’t have a special device.

Introduction to Dolby Atmos

Definition and function of for the power of entertainment

Dolby Atmos makes it possible to place each sound precisely in space, creating a spatial sound experience that puts the listener deeper into the world of the movie or video. This technology differs from conventional surround sound in its ability to position sounds as individual objects in three-dimensional space also playing audio overhead.

Advantages of Dolby Atmos in the home theater

Dolby Atmos offers depth, clarity and detail like never before. It creates a sound experience that you can not only hear, but feel everywhere. This technology makes it possible to hear specific sounds such as falling rain or the hum of a helicopter exactly where they should be in the room, resulting in a more intense and realistic listening experience.

Marketing and seal of quality

Dolby has done a great job of marketing Dolby Atmos, which has led many consumers to view the format as a seal of quality. However, it is important to note that Dolby Atmos is actually based on the AC-4 format. This format allows for the flexibility and precision that Dolby Atmos offers and ensures that the sound is of the highest standards. Despite the successful marketing, it is crucial to remember that Dolby Atmos is not the sole sign of approval for excellent sound, but part of a comprehensive system for sound optimization.

Dolby Atmos: “Amaze” | Trailer | Dolby

One example is the nature trailer from 2014. The comments show that users particularly appreciate the dynamic effects and the immersive nature sounds. One user reports: “The deep bass at the end gives me goosebumps”, while another comments: “The first time I heard this trailer in the cinema, it was an incredible experience. Technology has really moved on.”

The trailer contains nature sounds, deep bass and dynamic thunder, creating an immersive soundscape. So it’s not just all action and loud. “It’s amazing how good a single, tiny phone speaker can sound,” notes another user. This mix of ambient noise and powerful bass effects shows how well thought out the sound design is.

Despite minor issues, such as a phase problem at 0:30, which sounds strange to me in the video, the trailer shows how far binaural sound processing has come since 2014. “The sound of the thunder and the bird sounds around you are really impressive.”

Binaural rendering is simply not as good as it can be today for this Dolby Atmos experience. Films and demos of this kind have come a long way with the corresponding Dolby Atmos rendering technology.

Dolby Atmos: “Unfold” | Trailer | Dolby atmos demo

The animated Dolby Atmos trailer on YouTube delights viewers with its outstanding sound design and impressive visual realization. Users are particularly impressed by the dynamic sound effects, which create an immersive experience. One user writes: “The final bass sound can only really be experienced in a movie theater”, while another remarks: “I use this trailer to test my headphones”.

Despite the fact that YouTube only supports stereo audio, this trailer manages to impress viewers with its quality. Ironically, one user comments: “Dolby Atmos trailer. Uploaded by Dolby. On a video site that only offers two-channel audio. Brilliant.”

Another comment reads: “Stunning, mind-blowing… Sound… as it should be. Love it each time I go to movies at our local Titan theater that has this equipment. Stunning.”

To summarize, this trailer shows how well binaural audio can provide an impressive sound experience. Watch the trailer with headphones to enjoy the full potential of the sound.

Surround 7.1 “Sphere” | Trailer | Dolby

A similar example works particularly well for me at the beginning. The way the bullets fly past from the left and right at the beginning.

The Dolby Surround 7.1 trailer “Sphere” offers an intense sound experience that is particularly impressive in cinemas. Users describe the trailer as a source of goosebumps and nostalgic feelings. One comment sums it up: “Dolby Atmos trailer. Uploaded by Dolby. On a video site that only offers two-channel audio. Genius.” Another user remarks: “I remember never hearing sound below 200 Hz as a kid. Then going to the movies and hearing that earth shattering bass…. I was so excited, addicted to bass for life.”

It’s important to note that YouTube does not support true 7.1 surround sound. The trailer has been binauralized for headphones, which means the full sound experience is only achieved with headphones and is less impressive on speakers. Comments such as “I always get goosebumps when this plays at the movies” and “This gives me goosebumps every time it plays” reflect the strong emotional response this trailer elicits, especially in a movie theater setting.

The Weeknd for Dolby Atmos Music

The “The Weeknd for Dolby Atmos” trailer attempts to demonstrate the possibilities of Dolby Atmos in music production with dedicated artists. While the idea is exciting, the trailer shows some weaknesses, especially in the sound quality.

What works well

Visuals and voice: Many commenters praise The Weeknd’s voice and the soothing effect of his speaking. The visual presentation and aesthetics of the video are also positively highlighted.

What works less

Sound quality: I find that the sound is rather mono-heavy and doesn’t offer the expected spatiality. This shows that while Dolby Atmos works well for movies, it is less impressive when it comes to music.

Enveloping experience: The binaural processing doesn’t always manage to create the immersive experience you’d expect from Dolby Atmos.

Dolby Presents: The World of Sound

The “Dolby Presents: The World of Sound” trailer shows how Dolby Atmos creates an impressive mobile entertainment experience. One user mentioned – probably more jokingly than advice – that he turned his phone upside down to feel the effect, while another noted that the video is perfect for testing new headphones.

The visualization and sound create an immersive experience that makes spatial hearing understandable and tangible. One user wrote: “It’s impressive how advanced this technology is.” Another praised: “This video has been my go-to test for new headphones for years.” One user commented that the subtle animations in the headphone cable and the spatial sound are particularly effective.

Many users reported a “magical” experience where their eyes followed the sound. One comment read: “It’s phenomenal how our ears can judge the distance of the sound just by hearing it.” Another wrote: “This was a strange experience. I felt a tingling sensation in my back when the sound was behind me.”

The comments show that Dolby Atmos is capable of creating a powerful spatial audio experience, even with standard headphones or simple speaker systems. This highlights the ability of Dolby Atmos to make a creative, immersive soundscape that goes far beyond traditional stereo or surround sound experiences.

Not Dolby Atmos demo but still good

Of course, there are also the typical trailers for films with Dolby Vision, for example in this playlist.

But there are also demos whose picture and soundtrack are not Dolby atmos and are still fun. THX can be mentioned in this context, but let’s take a look at the others first.

360 Spatial Sound Mapping Demo

The “360 Spatial Sound Mapping” trailer from Sony has impressed many and shows the immersive potential of Sony’s sound technology. Many comments praise the sound quality and the realistic experience, especially when headphones are used. One user jokes: “All around you” -coronavirus”

It is important to note that YouTube does not support true 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and the demos have been binauralized for headphones, meaning the full effect can only be experienced with headphones. Many users note that the experience on headphones is amazing and worth testing the demos with. One user sums it up: “This is so cool, I can’t wait to test it with my new Sony headphones.”

LST | 3D Sound Demo for speakers?

The “LST | 3D Sound Demo” trailer shows a nice animation and visualization with speakers and thunderstorms. You can find it by searching for “3D Audio” on YouTube, but the sound is not really 3D. Instead, it is binauralized sound that creates a spatial sound illusion using special headphones.

LST stands out due to its universal applicability and the improvement in sound fidelity by up to 61% – note from the manufacturer of the devices. It transforms simple stereo speakers into a 360-degree soundscape and is suitable for various applications, from music and movies to gaming and advertising. While Dolby Atmos requires specialized hardware, LST is a software-based solution that creates an immersive sound environment, but does not achieve the same precision and detail as Dolby Atmos.

Here are the reactions from this “blockbuster” soundtrack

“If you come here, you’ve just bought new headphones.”

“That’s impressive, didn’t think my cheap headphones could sound that good.”

“I don’t have headphones, so I twisted my phone around my head. It works!”

“This is sooo useful to make sure my surround sound is ok. Thanks for the simple and explanatory video.”

“It’s mind blowing to hear this on the iPhone 11, the 3D sound feature is EXTREMELY underrated.”

Virtual Barber Shop – the classic

The “Virtual Barber Shop” is an immersive audio demo that has been considered one of the best tests for headphones for many years. Developed by QSound Labs, the video uses binaural recording techniques to immerse the listener in the experience of a visit to the barber shop.

Clever placement and movement of the microphones during the recording creates the impression that the sounds are coming from different directions and distances, resulting in an amazingly realistic three-dimensional sound perception – but not for speakers.

Here are some user comments

“This is the granddaddy of ASMR.”

“I’m bald, so I often come here to pretend I have hair for a few minutes.”

“This video is 15 years old and it’s still the best. He made it when no one knew about ASMR.”

“The sound of the scissors near the ear is so realistic I thought I was going to die.”

“Even after 16 years, this is still the best 3D sound I’ve ever heard.”

Most listeners are impressed by the quality and realism of the recording, which is often considered one of the best introductions to binaural 3D sound.

I have produced a similar project commercially, here is the comparison.

8D Audio: A confusion of dimensions

What is 8D Audio? 8D Audio is a marketing term for binaural stereo, where the sound revolves around the head. It uses two audio channels and creates spatial effects that only work with headphones.

Technical background 8D Audio is created by adding a spatializer effect to commercially available music. This makes the music appear to move around the listener. Technically, however, it remains a normal stereo file that offers no real 3D sound effects such as height information.

Here is my description of what makes it so powerful.

Tips for the optimal Dolby Atmos test

Be careful with the information you find online. There are many videos on YouTube that promise 5.1 or Dolby Atmos tests, but often do not actually support these formats. YouTube itself does not currently support true Dolby Atmos or 5.1 multi-channel formats. Make sure you use reliable sources.