Often, when talking about sound quality in movies or music, we start by counting the speakers: two, five, seven, or even more. It seems that the more there are, the better and “cooler” the sound will be. But modern audio technology has gone far beyond this simple arithmetic. Today, it is not so much the equipment that is important, but the idea of creating a real sound space around you.
DTS:X is one such cutting-edge idea. Simply put, it's not about the number of speakers, but about their “smart” control. The system allows sound objects — whether it's an actor's voice, the sound of a helicopter flying overhead, or quiet music — to move freely in the three-dimensional space of your room. Sound can come from above, from the side, or surround you, creating a fully immersive effect.
The main beauty of DTS:X lies in its flexibility. The technology is not rigidly tied to a specific acoustic layout. It automatically adapts to the equipment you have, whether you have two speakers, five, or a full home theater with ceiling speakers. The system will distribute the sounds itself so that you get the maximum possible surround sound effect on your specific setup.
In essence, DTS:X lets you forget about the number of speakers and focus on the experience. It's a step away from simple “surround sound” to a true “sound world” where you are at the center of the action. It is this sense of presence that makes watching movies or listening to music truly immersive.
What makes the DTS:X soundtrack
To create sound in DTS:X format, directors use a special MDA Creator application (which works as a plug-in for editing software), allowing them to specify where the sound should come from and plot the trajectory of the audio object in three-dimensional space. In essence, sound engineers do not need to think about which speaker the sound will come from, as the equipment will do this for them in real time at the user's home or in a commercial cinema. Soundtracks in DTS:X format can adapt to different speaker configurations, and the system can work with up to 32 speakers simultaneously. As with Atmos, ceiling speakers are required to achieve the maximum effect with DTS:X. Although this is not a mandatory requirement, the creators recommend not neglecting this option.
Screenshot of the MDA Creator application
Many people may not like the idea of placing additional speakers on the ceiling, so manufacturers offer special Atmos speakers with upward-facing drivers to reflect sound off the ceiling. However, DTS has no plans to release such speaker systems yet, and it is not yet clear whether Dolby Atmos-optimized speakers will be suitable. Although DTS itself claims that there are no obstacles and everything should work.
DTS:X is a modern surround sound format that works differently from familiar systems such as 5.1 or 7.1. Instead of tying sound to specific speakers, it describes the position of sound in space—for example, a bird flying from top right to left. Your speakers decide for themselves how best to reproduce it, whether you have three speakers or fifteen. This makes DTS:X sound more natural and flexible, and you don't have to rearrange your home to accommodate new speakers. The main thing is that the system is capable of working with it, not just the number of speakers.
Receivers and processors with DTS:X support
When it comes to equipment for viewing content in DTS:X format, there are two options: you can buy a new AV receiver that supports the format or update the one you already have with software. Most manufacturers have already announced support for the new codec. Denon will release an update for the AVR-X7200W model, and updates for the Marantz AV8802 and Trinnov Audio Altitude32 will be available this summer. Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha plan to start selling DTS:X receivers in late summer or early fall.
The Denon AVR-X7200W AV receiver already supports Dolby Atmos (as shown on its display), and after an update coming this summer, it will also support DTS:X.
The following manufacturers have already agreed to include the new format in their devices in 2015: Anthem, Denon, Integra, Krell, Marantz, McIntosh, Onkyo, Outlaw Audio, Pioneer, Steinway Lyngdorf, Theta Digital, Trinnov, and Yamaha. Agreements have also been reached with processor manufacturers, including Cirrus Logic, Analog Devices, and Texas Instruments.
Content in DTS:X format
DTS has not yet published any lists of content in the new format, but MDA Creator software was used in the creation of the film Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in April, and Lionsgate has announced the release of a Blu-ray disc of the film Ex Machina with a track in the new format.
The company promises to start selling Blu-ray discs with DTS:X soundtracks by the end of 2015. Incidentally, it is not yet known whether studios will place Atmos and DTS:X audio tracks on the same disc. It is highly likely that you will have to purchase separate versions of films with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound.
The sci-fi drama “Ex Machina” was the first movie to come out on BD with a DTS:X track.
DTS has plans to collaborate with streaming services, and streaming DTS:X content may appear next year.
As for movie theaters, the American chain Carmike has announced its transition to DTS:X. Seven theaters (all located in different cities across the US) have already begun the upgrade.
Comparison of DTS:X and Dolby Atmos
Okay, I've given you a general overview of DTS:X, but I haven't mentioned the most important thing yet. What we're most interested in is how the formats differ from each other and which one to choose. So what's the difference?
First of all, it should be noted that DTS does not have a list of recommended speaker configurations. While Dolby recommends certain sets with additional ceiling speakers (5.1.4, 7.1.2, etc.), DTS engineers consider this pointless. In their opinion, object-based codecs are good because they are not tied to specific speaker configurations. It all depends on the speaker manufacturers — they themselves can decide what systems should be used to work with the DTS:X format.
The second difference is that DTS:X has an option that allows you to control the volume of dialogue. DTS decided that making dialogue completely isolated from other audio objects in the soundtrack was a good idea. Many complain that they cannot hear the speech because of other noises, so now they will have the opportunity to make the speech louder. But there is no certainty that the directors themselves will like this feature, because often the characters speak quietly when necessary, and it is unlikely that a renowned director will allow the viewer to disrupt his vision.
Ceiling speakers in a large movie theater
Another area where the difference between Dolby Atmos and DTS:X can be significant is the ability to perform upmixing—converting standard 5.1 or 7.1 tracks to 11.1, 9.1.2, 5.1.4, etc. DTS calls this technology Neural:X. For example, a standard soundtrack in DTS-HD MA 7.1 format can be converted by the receiver for playback on a speaker system with additional ceiling speakers. The technology will automatically adjust to the existing configuration. Dolby Atmos also has an upmixing feature, but it is difficult to say which of the two formats will perform better.
Ultimately, DTS:X is not about hardware, but about experience. Its main strength is its flexibility. Instead of tying the sound to specific speakers, it creates a three-dimensional soundstage around you. It doesn't matter if you have two speakers, five, or a full ceiling array — the system will adapt to your configuration and try to get the most out of it.
Therefore, the debate over which technology is better — Dolby Atmos or DTS:X — often loses its meaning. In modern conditions, they have become two sides of the same coin, the standard for high-quality surround sound in cinema. The choice often depends on the specific movie or game, rather than the superiority of one technology over the other.
So, you can really stop counting speakers. It is more important to focus on the quality of their setup and the acoustics of the room. Modern sound has become smart and adaptive. Its goal is not to impress you with the number of speakers, but to dissolve them into the space, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen. And that is the main magic of a home theater.
