Setting Up Dolby Atmos Immersive Sound Speakers

[phillihp23]

I read your review which was so packed with information. I will definitely be reading and reading it again. While it’s not optimum what do you think about me trying my front height and rear speakers as atmos channels?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Glad you’re getting some good info from it!

The answer to your question really depends on the size of your room... what’s the distance front to back? Why are you considering those positions?


I currently have immersive channels permanently positioned in front height, top mid-front, top middle, rear height. And use top mid-front, middle, and rear.

Check out my review of Auro 3D. The last few paragraphs touch on your question.

Link: https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/s...vr-tackle-auro-3d-an-exploratory-review.3737/

 

[phillihp23]

My rooms like 16x14. I’ll check that auro article out again also.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Do you have the option for ceiling mounted channels?

 

[phillihp23]

Not particularly. I have angled ceiling. I would likely have to make boxes and hang them so they are horizontal with the floor.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Are you looking to only accommodate Atmos and DTS:X?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Just to note, I just added a paragraph to the end of this review addressing IMAX Enhanced.

 

[phillihp23]

Are you looking to only accommodate Atmos and DTS:X?

Well as you know I have a 11 speaker system utilizing front height and front wides. I think my option for atmos would likely be removing front wides....using front heights as front atmos and installing some version of ceiling speakers for middle and rear ( 7.4.6). What are the options for 9.4.4, where are the 2 additional mains located? Obviously referencing the abilities of the Denon 8500.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Just thinking this through... Do you have the ability to mount your RTiA-1s up high (top of wall) angled down at the middle listening position?

 

[phillihp23]

Just thinking this through... Do you have the ability to mount your RTiA-1s up high (top of wall) angled down at the middle listening position?

My front heights are like that. Above the screen.

 

[phillihp23]

Just thinking this through... Do you have the ability to mount your RTiA-1s up high (top of wall) angled down at the middle listening position?

Is this what your talking about Todd. I Essentially have this setup except the two rear heights. And what sound setting would I use...DTS:X? 13.1

Then they have this they call 11.1 with two front speakers

Ironically they both show 13.1 speakers in image?

 

[Todd Anderson]

If I were you, I'd probably wire one set of heigh channels on either side of my seating (side walls), aiming down at the seating area. And I would wire the other set about 1/2 way between the seating and the screen, angled back at your middle seat (and angled down).

I've tried a lot of configurations over the years, starting with a review of the Yamaha A3050 (which was the first sub-$4,000 2.0 capable receiver with 11-channels of processing). For that review, I used advice from a lengthy THX interview conducted by the folks at AV Forums. The THX testing room was sized differently than mine, but I found their basic principles to hold true (although the strongly recommended speakers firing straight down... I've found that angling that the middle listening position is better in my room).

The problem with having height speakers in the very front of the room is that sounds that circle above (like a helicopter) sound unnaturally stretched and gapped as sound moves from the front to the back of the room (and vice-versa). In my opinion, sound is more seamless with 4 atmos channels when you position 2 over seating and 2 forward as described above. It removes gaps and makes the sound more fluid and believable.


Now, if you're deploying for Auro-3D, that kind of speaker deployment doesn't work, because Auro 3D works differently. While Atmos crams very specific sounds into your ceiling channels... Auro 3D uses those front and rear height channels to playback the upper levels of acoustic reflections that occur in a natural environment. These reflections add a spaciousness effect that really makes the entire sound stage bloom to life in a way that Atmos doesn't.

I will say this... if you just deploy front and rear height (top of wall) channels, you'll have a dual system that can handle both Atmos and Auro. But, the only Auro media you'll have access to is some really funky music. Movies here in the US are far and few between.

 

[phillihp23]

Thanks for all the info Todd. I still have a lot to digest before I figure out what direction I am going to go with this speaker setup. I also noticed they list a
15.1 option. I assume that’s 9.2.6 for Atmos.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I believe the 15.1 refers to your ability to wire 15 channels BUT you can only process 13 channels at any one time. So, that means you could deploy an Atmos arrangement while reserving a second set of speakers for switching over to an Auro arrangement. You might need to dig in the manual to confirm.

Honestly, when it comes to figuring out your height channel placement, I strongly urge you to get some long 2X4s and mount your speakers on top (figure out a way you can prop them up) and then move them around the room trying things out. You might find front and back wall placements are fine. Or you might find you really dig my suggestion. Sounds like a total pain in the rear... but I've found Atmos really can sound THAT much better with the right deployment. For me, after rigging speakers using 2x4s, there's no way I'd go front and back wall in my room. I mean, I'd do it... but I'd know I was missing out on a more seamless experience (if that makes any sense).

 

[phillihp23]

Which is were room size may make a difference. What size room were you testing the placement in for front/rear heights?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sounds like we have similar size rooms. Mines somewhere in the 13.5 x 17.5 range, I believe (every time I measure, I forget). So it’s on the medium-ish side. Definitely a tight space. But, works great

 

[phillihp23]

u

So I think I have settled on adding 4 speakers. Two rear heights and two ceiling top middle.

DTS:X and ATMOS

 

[Todd Anderson]

That’s what I have... looks like this (if you were looking Top down).

Love it. The front wall channels are reserved for Auro content.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Remember, DTSX only will only use 4 ceiling channels (DTS:X Pro will use more)... that’s just rolling out now.

 

[phillihp23]

Todd, been thinking about how you said you angle the speakers down for height speakers. With my sloped ceiling my in-ceiling speakers would angle inward toward the listening area...what you think about this? And for the placement of those in-ceiling atmos are they directling left and right of the seating area above....or are they forward of the seating area? As for the rear heights....can i use in-ceiling? They would likely be forward of the rear speakers though, as the rear speakers are on the wall...

 

[phillihp23]

Todd, been thinking about how you said you angle the speakers down for height speakers. With my sloped ceiling my in-ceiling speakers would angle inward toward the listening area...what you think about this? And for the placement of those in-ceiling atmos are they directling left and right of the seating area above....or are they forward of the seating area? As for the rear heights....can i use in-ceiling? They would likely be forward of the rear speakers though, as the rear speakers are on the wall...

 

[phillihp23]

Remember, DTSX only will only use 4 ceiling channels (DTS:X Pro will use more)... that’s just rolling out now.

DTS:X PRO...is that a pushed update, or hardware? So DTS:X currently is restricted to 11 channel...if I am understanding you correctly.

 

[Todd Anderson]

So I’m using the SVS Elevation heights... this is what they look like on the front wall (the angle is directly at ear level, but it’s definitely angled downward)

I could be wrong about this, But I’m actually thinking you might have a really great experience doing something like this:

Those two sets of middle speakers anchored at the very top of your wall, a slight angle down and aimed somewhat back and to the MLP. Again, could be wrong, but my gut tells me that would do the trick.

I would be careful not to be overly aggressive with the angle direct at your MLP. But, in the general direction would probably work. The other option is to just put speakers in the slanted ceiling and LE the AVR make timing adjustments for distance and dB. Who knows, the added height to those speakers (being higher in the air due to your speakers being mounted in the slope), might create a more diffuse soundfield?

 

[phillihp23]

This is atmos diagram for 9.1.4 it appears to include front wides. So confusing what one party puts out and then what options the equipment will allow.

 

[phillihp23]

So I plan on installing two in-ceiling above the seated area. But I am struggling on the install placement for the rear heights. Below is a photo of the rear of the room. The speakers you see are the rear left right.