Not everything pops with such dramatics, and there were some tracks where something was lost (or rather gained) in translation. Reverb was one element that mixers occasionally seemed unsure how to handle in some older tracks. The snare in Elton John’s “Mellow” from Honky Château feels oddly out of place, with extra verb that clearly wasn’t meant to be isolated. As with any mix, it all comes down to choices, and not all are equal. Still, pretty much everything I listened to sounded as good or, more often, better when spread across the Optiq’s system.
Speaking of said system, you may be wondering whether any good stereo track would sound this good over a sound system as excellent as the Optiq’s. After bouncing back and forth, I can unequivocally say no. While stereo tracks can sound very good, none had the same clarity, punch, or immersion of their Dolby Atmos counterparts. Not once did I mistake a random stereo track for Atmos. The closest was Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” which impressively expanded in space as the drums entered. By comparison, Peter Gabriel’s stereo “Sledgehammer” sounded rather flat. (Sorry, O.G. Genesis fans, I was just as surprised.)
It can’t be overstated how crucial a component the blank sonic canvas provided by the Optiq EV’s whisper-quiet interior is. You’ve got to goose the volume to really feel the full Atmos Music effect, and a loud car with a burbling engine just wouldn’t hit the same, especially given how they tend to mess with the low end. Having Amazon Music locked and loaded in the dash put loads of tracks at our fingertips, while Cadillac’s fabulous Super Cruise hands-off driving system provided a breezy way to fall into the music, making every drive a unique moment.
Challenges Remain
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
While the Optiq is a marvel when it comes to stunning Atmos Music delivery, like the speaker setup I witnessed at the Wynn, it’s also a barrier to entry. I talked about classic rock for a reason: Not everyone can afford a new Cadillac (certainly not me). Taht said, Dolby says 25-plus carmakers have announced plans or are already in the Atmos Music mix, from Mercedes-Benz to Hyundai Genesis. Most are costly at present, as with any new technology.
There are some more affordable ways to get a semblance of my Optiq experience, including a few soundbars and stand-alone speakers that let you stream Atmos Music directly, like the Sonos Arc Ultra (9/10, WIRED recommends) and Sonos Era 300.
But even as Atmos Music has expanded to over 20-plus streaming services (Spotify is a notable holdout), getting it to the throng of Dolby Atmos soundbars can be harder than you might expect. AirPlay added Atmos streaming to the HomePod last year, but third-party support has fizzled. Amazon’s Echo Studio Atmos speaker was discontinued. Dolby says some devices have added casting, but the company wasn’t able to provide numbers or models.
It takes time for an ecosystem like Atmos Music to gather steam. There are always hurdles as new software and hardware options expand. What was most striking about the Optiq is how easy it made it to access, helping me go from casual listener to definite Atmos Music fiend. Here’s hoping Atmos Music continues to trickle down. The music is ready, the medium is primed, now let’s get it to the people.