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Volvo has confirmed a software update bringing Spatial Audio support through Apple CarPlay to the EX90, following earlier plans to add the feature to the EX60 and ES90. The immersive sound experience relies on Dolby Atmos and requires the optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system with 25 speakers.
ASUS has released its first gaming-focused soundbar, the ROG Gjallar, in the US market at a price of $600. The device features a 5.1.2-channel setup with Dolby Atmos support, a wireless 65W subwoofer, and a control hub with built-in microphones designed to enable headset-free multiplayer voice chat while filtering background noise.
Amazon is selling the Sonos Arc Ultra Dolby Atmos soundbar for $899, a $200 cut from its $1,099 list price. The 18% discount ties the lowest price seen this year and matches the post-Prime Day low, with the product maintaining a 4.6-star rating.
After confirming each speaker in a Dolby Atmos system works individually, the recommended next step is testing with real content mixed for the format. Netflix's five-minute anime short Sol Levante is highlighted as an ideal benchmark since its extensive spatial audio mix stresses positional accuracy without requiring a full movie's runtime.
Dolby Digital Plus, or E-AC-3, is a lossy audio codec that can support up to 7.1 channels, but it can also carry standard 5.1 audio, meaning its presence doesn't guarantee extra surround channels. It was built specifically for streaming and downloadable content, which is why services like Netflix rely on it, and it can also serve as a delivery method for Dolby Atmos object-based audio.