Despite its quirks, Tidal allows subscribers to stream at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality, which is among the highest resolutions of the major streaming service. If you’re looking to stream music in the highest possible quality, you now have a few solid options. Primarily, the issue stems from a lack of digital recordings at the high sample rates and bit depth (starting at 48kHz/24-bit and up) needed to produce crystalline sonic quality. At a glanceĪlthough more and more high-end stereo receivers and even cell phones have emerged with top-notch digital-to-analog converters onboard, there’s still the grand issue of finding reputable mediums to procure lossless music, a debacle leaving many wishful listeners stranded. While pristine high-res music has been available for some time now (with gradual improvements to codecs and processing), audio hardware has been creeping slowly behind. Taking advantage of premium audio formats has never been an easy feat, leaving starved connoisseurs in the dust. However, a Dolby Digital EX can be read just as easily by a traditional Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder. Dolby Digital EX devices traditionally have the following logo: The Dolby Headphone standard is used to privately enjoy surround sound with a traditional set of headphones, without bothering nearby people, using a stereo or multichannel source.ĭolby Headphone is based on a process called virtualization, that uses Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF) to simulate 3D sound by taking into account the distortion of sound as it passes through the different parts of the listener's head, and combining this information with the acoustics of a virtual listening room.ĭevices (like sound cards, home theatre systems, video game consoles, etc.) compatible with Dolby Headphone have this symbol:ĭolby Digital EX has an additional channel (the term "6.1" is sometimes used) created with two rear channels in order to hide the sound gap that exists. These devices are normally identified by the presence of the Dolby Digital logo: To be able to use media recorded in Dolby Digital format (DVD video or DVD audio, for example), you need a device with an integrated AC3 decoder. A channel for low frequencies (a subwoofer) for amplifying special effects (like explosions and earthquakes).ĭolby Digital is likely the most commonly used system in home theatre systems.Two channels for the rear speakers, used for reproducing noise and the sound environment, in order to create ambiance.
Two audio tracks for the front speakers, for accentuating the context of the sound coming from the central speaker.