Adding ATMOS to a 7.2 setup

[pratul]

Hello there! I have a 7.2 setup currently and recently updated my pre-processor to Anthem AVM 70 which is ATMOS capable.
I understand ATMOS supports to front wides and the three pairs of height speakers (front, middle and rear) but not sure how important or useful each of them are.
When I look at some of the guides they recommend going with one or two pairs of height speakers (front and rear) and very few talk about the front wide speakers.
Several even suggest going from 7.2 setup to a 5.2.2 or 5.2.4 setup.
As you can imaging, I am quite confused on how to move to ATMOS and which channels to enable. Should I enable them all or go with just the front and rear height speakers?
What are the next logical steps to add ATMOS? How did you transition to ATMOS?

My theater details are in my profile. Basically the theater is 34x14x9 feet and I am using M&K S-150, S-250 & SS-150 speakers.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Really it depends on your room and where you are able to place speakers most effectively. That will decide which channels you activate in the Anthem.

 

[pratul]

Really it depends on your room and where you are able to place speakers most effectively. That will decide which channels you activate in the Anthem.

Thanks for your reply..
I guess I am trying to understand what will give the most bang for the buck
Let's say the minimum is front and rear height speakers.... what do I gain with middle height speakers and what do I gain with front wide speakers? Does the size of the room drive any of these decisions and if so how?

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Well, yes and yes and yes.

the size and shape of the room definitely plays a large factor. As a 7.1.4 user, I’m going to give you a couple generalizations…

the biggest audible improvement is likely the move from 2 immersive speakers to 4. Larger rooms will likely benefit from 6, but most rooms can be extremely satisfying with 4. Which 4 will depend on room size and shape, and where you’re able to place the speakers.

front wides, while seemingly a wise upgrade, have proven in real-world situations to be less than impressive. For whatever reason content is rarely sent to the wides in most peoples’ systems.

What’s your room look like? What are your possibilities?

 

[pratul]

Well, yes and yes and yes.

the size and shape of the room definitely plays a large factor. As a 7.1.4 user, I’m going to give you a couple generalizations…

the biggest audible improvement is likely the move from 2 immersive speakers to 4. Larger rooms will likely benefit from 6, but most rooms can be extremely satisfying with 4. Which 4 will depend on room size and shape, and where you’re able to place the speakers.

front wides, while seemingly a wise upgrade, have proven in real-world situations to be less than impressive. For whatever reason content is rarely sent to the wides in most peoples’ systems.

What’s your room look like? What are your possibilities?

Hi, thanks for your reply. You can see details of my theater in Showcase (https://www.avnirvana.com/showcase/our-theater.66/)
I can easily install all three pairs of in-ceiling hight speakers. Maybe that is what I should?

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

What I would do, if possible, is take a look here and decide where your best locations would be between the setups on page 36 and 42 of this document, but (again - if possible) try to spend some time with a temporary setup to compare in your room between page 42 and 43.

I still think front wides will become more utilized at some point, and if you're able to test them in your room, you might find that even now they add more in your room than a 3rd pair of heights. I know there are a lot of people hoping wides see more content, and in theory, that is the biggest "hole" in the typical surround setup.

https://www.dolby.com/siteassets/technologies/dolby-atmos/atmos-installation-guidelines-121318_r3.1.pdf

 

[pratul]

What I would do, if possible, is take a look here and decide where your best locations would be between the setups on page 36 and 42 of this document, but (again - if possible) try to spend some time with a temporary setup to compare in your room between page 42 and 43.

I still think front wides will become more utilized at some point, and if you're able to test them in your room, you might find that even now they add more in your room than a 3rd pair of heights. I know there are a lot of people hoping wides see more content, and in theory, that is the biggest "hole" in the typical surround setup.

https://www.dolby.com/siteassets/technologies/dolby-atmos/atmos-installation-guidelines-121318_r3.1.pdf

Thank you!
I think what you suggested makes sense. Not to find some speakers. Having a hard time finding reasonably priced speakers that fit the bill. The doc you shared says the height speakers should have the same frequency range + power rating as the rest and have wider dispersion. Most of the in-ceiling speakers I am finding that are reasonably priced don't go above 100 - 150 W. Search continues Then there is the amp ... I was thinking of going with the monoprice monolith which has similar power rating as my current amps but maybe too much for the in-ceiling speakers I am finding. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for your help.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

My height channels have nowhere near the range of my bed channels. Wides may prove to move more important for matching than heights. I do have the same amplification on all, though that was just by chance.

Unplug all your bed channels, connect your existing speakers and amps to the height channels and turn them on. You’ll be shocked how little comes from them, especially compared to the center channel.

And keep us posted!