Any folks with Atmos and if so what is your configuration and how is it?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Any folks with Atmos and if so what is your configuration and how is it?

lchiu7

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#209088 12-Mar-2017 11:48

Toying with the idea of upgrading the HT to Atmos but because of room constraints and the SO, the best I can do is probably 5.1.2 with the Atmos speakers ceiling firing mounted on the top of the front speakers.

I had heard that the effects from such an arrangement are subtle at best. Trouble for something like 5.1.4, even if I say mounted the Atmos speakers as both upwards firing, the receivers that support 9.1 channels are prohibitively expensive and outside my budget.

If you have Atmos I was wondering what configuration did you go with and what kit?

Thanks

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richms

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#1735177 12-Mar-2017 12:14

Friend has the speakers ontop and it really doesnt seem to add much over a normal 5.1 setup. Im yet to hear one with them above/in cieling to know what its supposed to sound like but from the 5.1.2 I heard I wouldnt bother.

It may be dependent on the cieling type tho, as I read it was to bounce off the cieling to you, and his is pretty high compared to the depth of the room so might have been not reflecting into the right place, so a low 2.4m place might work better.

Richard rich.ms

lchiu7

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#1735341 12-Mar-2017 16:44

I suspect you need 5.1.4 to have an effective Atmos setup and the cheapest receiver I can find is about $2500 so that's out of the question alas

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Dunnersfella

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#1735353 12-Mar-2017 17:24

Atmos 5.1.2 is far superior to 7.1 in my experience. 5.1.4 is great in big rooms, but unless it's a large space, don't worry too much.

I've heard numerous Atmos / DTS:X configurations - from 7.1.4 with up-firing Atmos modules (both in-wall and on-top of the speakers) through to down firing in-ceilings in both 5.1.2, 5.1.4 and 7.1.4 layouts.

Yup.

Heck, I've even had an Atmos soundbar at my house recently.

Up-firing Atmos does need a flat ceiling... but most importantly, decent up-firing speakers!

The dinky wee Onkyo speakers I've heard were far too small to be effective to be fair, the larger models are something else though! I kept looking up every time the sounds flew over my head... Take a go with Mad Max Fury Road and you'll be blown away - trust me.

In-ceiling's are ideal, but they don't suit everyone... having said that, one demo I had was 5.1.4 with ALL in-ceiling speakers - pretty cool to be fair (it suited the size of the room).

kendog

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#1735958 13-Mar-2017 19:28

I have 4 in ceiling speakers, love them.
Scenes like the end of 10 Cloverfield Lane, monster overhead, scaring the sh*t of you make the cost worth it.

Masterpiece

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#1735973 13-Mar-2017 20:04

Pre wired for 7.1.4...alas wires reside awaiting speakers to be attached. Other priorities like gardens and decks getting in the way!

I believe the voicing being matched and levels balanced is important to get the effect working well.
I have a Paradigm system so will be looking for something from their range, have the Aventage 3040 so need a external amp pair to drive either the roofs or maybe get a better driver to amp up the fronts.

The main difference between up firing and down firing from the roof is that the sound cone is narrower from the roof so arguably more defined and objects discernable. The up firing will disperse somewhat which would work for some sounds but more direct object stuff will lose the focus.

Although to a point typically mixed rooms that are not sound room "theatre only" type will suffer from WAF objects that cause sound scattering anyway. In this case up firing is likely to be not much different to down firing.

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lchiu7

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#1736108 13-Mar-2017 22:03

Well my rears are quite high mounted at the moment, aiming downwards so they could be repurposed as the Atmos rear height speakers. Then I could put new rear speakers in a ear level and possibly use upwards firing for the front. That would make the WAF much easier but there is still the financial burden of a 9.2 receiver which could be a bridge too far alas.

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mentalinc

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#1736143 14-Mar-2017 06:33

I have 5.1.2 the Onkyo upfiring came free with my receiver, so why not right?

The demos sound awesome, movie effects are less amazing, but its not really that much more expensive..

Would I upgrade just to get it? not yet?

Also make sure you get a receiver that does both Atmos and DTS:X which should be anything released last year and this year...

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lchiu7

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#1736174 14-Mar-2017 09:35

Well I was looking at the Onkyo TX-NR656 but when I saw it waas 7.2 only and I hadn't heard the best about 5.1.2 I looked up 9.2 and then reality kicked in :-(

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rokki

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#1736818 15-Mar-2017 12:50

Hi I have a 7.1.2 Setup in my lounge and I think it does make a difference. But also it depends how the sound has been produced on the disc as well wether the effect is meant to be subtle or more in your face. I am very happy to have it.

My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3