There are several considerations to make when selecting speakers for a Dolby Atmos studio. Professional mix rooms should aim to meet the speaker capabilities and performance recommendations described in this article. Smaller writing, production, and personal-use spaces may require practical compromises due to room size or budget constraints, such as using smaller Left, Center, and Right speakers supplemented with bass management. 

Timbral Consistency 

While any variety of speakers can be used in a Dolby Atmos system, maintaining timbral consistency throughout the room helps create a more accurate and reliable monitoring environment. Consistent speaker voicing is particularly important when sounds move between channels, as it minimizes tonal shifts and preserves the intended image.  

For best results, we recommend using identical speakers in all positions. When a fully matched system is not practical, choosing speakers from the same manufacturer and product family can help maintain similar tonal characteristics.  

Frequency Response 

The frequency response specification for each speaker (i.e., the published data) should extend from 40 Hz to 18 kHz with no greater variation than +/-3 dB. As above, we recommend matching the capabilities of your speakers at all locations to enable full-range frequency response throughout the room. 

Smaller, non-full-range speakers may be used for ear-level surrounds and/or overheads when supplemented with bass management. The subwoofer(s) should have a minimum frequency response range of 31.5 Hz to 150 Hz. For more information, see ‘What is Bass Management and do I need it in my studio?’ 

SPL Capability 

To faithfully reproduce the audio from a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), the speakers chosen must have adequate power output and headroom. In practice, this means choosing speakers that can produce 20 dB above the chosen monitoring level at the mix position. 

To discuss solutions that fit your needs and budget, contact your local Dolby Atmos Certified Service Partner, or join the Dolby Creators Community on Discord to hear from others who have set up their studio. 

For details about supported speaker layouts and the number of speakers required for each configuration, see ‘How many speakers do I need to mix content in Dolby Atmos?’ For information about speaker placement, see How to Design a Dolby Atmos Mix Room.