Native Atmos vs upmixed 5.1/7.1: Can you hear a difference?

[Todd Anderson]

I'm curious: can anyone here definitively say that films released with a native Atmos encode sound significantly better from a technical perspective (or more immersive) than 5.1/7,1 encoded films that are upmixed via an AVR to utilize Atmos presence channels?

I had mentioned this to @Michael Scott not that long ago, but I'm skeptical that old catalog films are getting a true Atmos encode, rather they're simply being virtually unmixed at the studio and branded as Atmos.

For me, I typically have my AVR upmix 5.1 and 7.1 simply because it seems to present a rather dynamic experience that completely fools my ears. Outside of very specific scenes from well encoded Atmos films, I don't think I could blindly identify non-Atmos films that are upmixed.

 

[Tony V.]

Well, I've actually not heard an Atmos system in a home theater yet. In the big box theater a few times but not at home.
All I can say is that I have my 7.1 system sounding so good I'm not sure Atmos would really add much more. Maybe I'm wrong but until I redo my theater room ceiling and put in the Atmos speakers later this summer I can't say

 

[Todd Anderson]

The best Atmos mixes have a wonderful presentation when ceiling channels are deployed... personally, I think Atmos speaker arrangements are a good step above 7.1.