Sky has announced that it will offer Dolby Atmos audio in the UK from August 2017 onwards. The software will be rolled out prior to the release of its Sky Soundbox, an all-in-one sound system launched in collaboration with Devialet.
The first to experience the experience the 3D upgrade will be viewers of the upcoming 2017/18 Premier League football season (commencing on 12 August, 2017) which will see Dolby Atmos paired with UHD visuals.
Developed with manufacturer of the Phantom wireless speaker, Devialet, the Sky Soundbox will take advantage of the new sound format, in addition to regular surround.
The Sky Soundbox incorporates six 76mm woofers and three full-range 51mm drivers, designed to bounce sound off room walls and create an immersive-effect without a subwoofer. Connections include HDMI and a digital optical audio input, with support for Bluetooth. The Soundbox also offers a ‘Dialogue Enhance’ volume management feature for maximising dialogue clarity, with other options including ‘Late Night’ and ‘Kids’ listening mode.
“We’ve partnered with audio industry leaders Devialet to launch Sky Soundbox and take the TV experience to the next level for our customers. Great TV deserves great audio – we believe Sky Soundbox is the Ultra HD of home audio,” commented Stephen van Rooyen, chief executive officer at Sky.
Quentin Sannié, chief executive of Devialet, added: “Sound is the future of television. We are very proud to be partnering with Sky, to help them to unleash the full emotional impact of their content, through powerful, immersive, fully integrated sound.”
When paired with the Sky Q STB, viewers will have access to “Sky Q Sound,” a DSP sound mode designed by Devialet to automatically refine the audio for a range when watching Sky content.
The Sky Soundbox will retail at £799 in the UK, and will be available at discounted prices for current and new Sky customers (£299) and Sky Q multiscreen customers (£249).