Dolby atmos upgrade

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Dolby atmos upgrade

robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#262065 3-Jan-2020 10:58

The problem with having time off over Christmas is you start planning upgrades....and spending money...

I currently have the following 5.1 set up.
B&W 602 fronts, CC6 centre, ASW 600 sub with B&W ceiling surrounds.
Marantz sr5013

I am considering installing two additional ceiling mounted speakers 🔊 to the left and right in front of the sitting position in the high ceiling.

My questions are :

1) would this be enough to enable a Dolby atmos set up.

2) is it worth it ? I have seen some atmos set ups and can’t even tell the difference. ( I know it’s subjective but overall ??)

3) is this the best location for the additional speakers.

4) what ceiling speakers should I consider (Polk ? Kef? B&W ?) and how big do they need to be ? My surrounds are 8” directional tweeters.

In the photo you can see my room layout (excuse the Christmas mess !) with ceiling speakers and fronts .

Any advise or opinions are welcomed..

mentalinc

3225 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2384533 3-Jan-2020 11:01

The dolby atmos website has a proper guide with install locations.suggest you read that and the dts:x guides

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2384541 3-Jan-2020 11:37

8" in-ceilings matching B&W's would be a no brainer I would have thought.

5.1.4 is the best configuration I've heard, but 5.1.2 is a good start.

The question is - what sources are you looking to use?

robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2384542 3-Jan-2020 12:09

Yep B&W would be the preferred but pricey.. as the speakers are effect speakers I did wonder if they needed to be full range..

As for sources it’s a mix of blu ray/ UHD and streaming through Apple TV.

I looked through the setup guides and as per real life the ideal layouts can’t quite be matched.. I still think putting two more ceiling mounted speakers would be ok..

I guess it’s because my surrounds are already ceiling mounted I am looking for some advice as to whether or not this works with the atmos effects or does it muddle the surround...

Mauro145

21 posts

Geek

#2384612 3-Jan-2020 14:10

What if you try a 5.1.2 by adding at least temporarily 2 ear level rear speakers and rewiring the ceiling speakers as atmos top rear? At least to get a feel of how atmos would work for you

ilovemusic

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#2384622 3-Jan-2020 14:43

can you set up your existing speakers properly first ?

move the mains out of the corners, in front of your centre and move some of the furniture out if the way.

mentalinc

3225 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2384636 3-Jan-2020 14:53

Suggest you head up on how atmos works.

It's object based sound, having "rears" at that height are not going to work.

And as above, fix the location of your other speakers, first.

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robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2384644 3-Jan-2020 15:28

mentalinc: Suggest you head up on how atmos works.
It's object based sound, having "rears" at that height are not going to work.
And as above, fix the location of your other speakers, first.

Hehe yep.

The furniture was pushed towards the speakers for Christmas and the missus pushes them to the corners I tend to pull them closer to the windows for movie nights...and move stuff out of the way !

Having them in ceiling was a must do due to open plan layouts but that’s what has stopped me from going to 5.1.2 before.. I’m not sure whether there would be much benefit...