Atmos

[aliEnRIK]

Does anyone actually have speakers above their heads? Surely the vast majority of people even on a hifi forum do not have this?

 

[bigboss]

I've got 4 ceiling speakers for Atmos. It's brilliant.

 

[macdiddy]

as you may have guessed by posting your question in the "home cinema" section of the forum.

to answer your question there are quite a few of us on here that have installed "speakers above our heads", myself included.

*music2*

 

[bigboss]

There's certainly enough market for manufacturers to release 11 channel AV receivers (Onkyo, Marantz, Denon and Anthem).

 

[aliEnRIK]

Id be willing to bet the majority of home cinema users do not have them

 

[aliEnRIK]

as you may have guessed by posting your question in the "home cinema" section of the forum.

to answer your question there are quite a few of us on here that have installed "speakers above our heads", myself included.

*music2*

a few = maybe 20?

 

[Tonestar1]

I've installed two in ceiling speakers for Atmos and two in wall for rears. Front three are normal speakets for 5.1.2 Atmos. I recently refurbished the whole room and as it was needing plastered etc seemed a good idea. Really enjoying it so far. If the room was already decorated I'm not sure I'd be ripping holes in the ceiling and running cables just for Atmos but as part of a renovation work it was fine.

 

[bigboss]

Id be willing to bet the majority of home cinema users do not have them

Of course not. It'll remain a niche market, similar to market for hi res audio. The numbers are enough for 4 manufacturers to release 11 channel AVRs (so certainly more than 20)! Not to forget, most 7 and 9 channel AVRs are Atmos enabled.

 

[aliEnRIK]

Of course not. It'll remain a niche market, similar to market for hi res audio. The numbers are enough for 4 manufacturers to release 11 channel AVRs (so certainly more than 20)

I meant on this forum, not across the UK or the western world

 

[bigboss]

Certainly enough on here to elicit a discussion about Atmos.

 

[bigboss]

Not to forget people with upfiring speakers for Atmos, or members with Atmos soundbars. You don't have to have ceiling speakers for Atmos effect (although that's the best way).

 

[Series1boy]

I have a 5.1.4 atmos system with my def tech speakers installed under the ceiling in each corner of our room with the speakers firing down.

 

[Q5]

I have a 5.1.4 set up tthe .4 are in ceiling.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

I have had the luxury of moving into a brand new home two years ago, which has a media room upstairs with an attic above it. I had the room pre-wired for a 5.2.2 setup but ended up re-wiring it myself for a 7.2.4 setup. I actually have SIX speakers in my ceiling as I couldn't be ahem'd to fix the holes in the plasterboard ceiling that would have resulted from re-using the original two in-ceiling speakers. Future proofed is what I told the wife...

I could, repeat could, conceivably configure our media room with two fronts (proper stereo speakers), two front heights in-wall, one or two centres, two down each side of the side walls, two rears and six overheads, plus up to four subs, for a total of a 12.4.6 setup! Would be overkill in a 12'6 x 20' room though....

Downstairs in the living room I had the ceiling pre-wired for a X.Y.4 setup. With 20/20 hindsight I should have had them pre-wire for a rear pair as well, plus and have a power outlet and a conduit put in over the fireplace in case I wanted to put the TV there. I could have convered the outlets with a picture in the interim. I can't use sides in that room as there aren't actually any side walls to put them in or against (one wall is all window, the other is open plan to the kitchen and therefore doesn't exist), so the maaximum I could go in that room would probably be a 7.2.4 setup.

 

[Leeps]

Does anyone actually have speakers above their heads? Surely the vast majority of people even on a hifi forum do not have this?

You're absolutely right. Atmos is really for people who have dedicated cinema rooms. Most typical (UK) lounges couldn't or wouldn't wish to accommodate so many speakers. Even KEF's approach of adding Atmos pods ontop looks plain ugly. I wouldn't want them.

I'm perfectly happy with 5.1 and have no intention of changing from that. I'd rather invest in higher quality amplifiers or sources than additional speakers, but that's just me. For me, the only AVR manufacturers that appeal to me now are Anthem and Arcam. Other than very high-end specialist manufacturers, they're the only ones who make AVRs with high-end components (for quality multi-channel and stereo sound) without giving you 6 or even 8 channels I'll never use.

It's a shame that the Denon/Marantz/Pioneer/Yamaha receivers no longer offer flagship receivers (for the higher quality internals) with a maximum of 5.1 or 7.1 channels. Their 7.1 receivers are now budget to midrange machines that have pretty weedy power supplies. So these mainstream makers no longer make a product I would want to buy.

 

[Feral]

very happy with the set up and next upgrade will be 5.1.4 once the budget allows. Thanks to advice on here , i ran extra runs of cable so just need to make the holes in the ceiling when required.

 

[bigboss]

Atmos is really for people who have dedicated cinema rooms.

I don't have a dedicated cinema room, yet have a 7.1.4 system which doesn't intrude into living room space.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

Atmos is there for people who want it. There will be some who are quite happy with 2 channel TV, a soundbar or a simple 5.1 surround system, and that's fine. But I don't see why those of us prepared to go to the cost and effort of installing Atmos speakers should be criticised.

 

[Alantiggger]

This Atmos SOUND is made in Cinema's via LOADS of small speakers all down and around The Cinema.

One is going to have to live in SOME MASSIVE Living Area to even BEGIN to HEAR Proper Atmos Sound ?

I reckon a good few are kidding themselves on tbh ?

 

[Leeps]

Atmos is really for people who have dedicated cinema rooms.

I don't have a dedicated cinema room, yet have a 7.1.4 system which doesn't intrude into living room space.

Point taken BB, but not everyone wants to cut holes in their walls and ceiling, re-plaster and redecorate. In many domestic situations the implications of Atmos just wouldn't wash. Realistically even 5.1 systems are pushing it in many households. That's why soundbars are become ng so popular and AV receivers are losing their market share. It's a shame because soundbars are generally awful, even some quite pricey ones.

I also think the current vinyl revival is boosting the traditional stereo amp more than a multi-channel AVR. So the likes of Yamaha's stereo receivers with their MusicCast system network feature I think hits the spot with what most people ARE happy with in their living rooms. A record player, one amp and a pair of speakers. And if that doesn't cut it with WAF factor, then it's the ubiquitous soundbar for many.

 

[Leeps]

This Atmos SOUND is made in Cinema's via LOADS of small speakers all down and around The Cinema.

One is going to have to live in SOME MASSIVE Living Area to even BEGIN to HEAR Proper Atmos Sound ?

I reckon a good few are kidding themselves on tbh ?

I went to the cinema this weekend. It was interesting to compare it to my home system. It had lots (LOTS!!!) more bass. But it was rattly and boomy. The main left and right channels seemed comparatively weak and detail was so-so. I also think it's not easy in a cinema to locate the sweet spot. Most people aren't sat in it.

Sound-wise, I can honestly say that the QUALITY (certainly not the quantity) of my system at home is far superior to the cinema experience. This was a typical screen at the local multiplex.

As indicated I don't have Atmos, just a 5.1 system.

But I'm not denying that an Atmos system at home could sound even better, my argument against Atmos is purely the additional faff and domestic acceptance needed to accommodate it. Actually I think it's easier to create a more believable soundstage at home than at the cinema.

 

[bigboss]

This Atmos SOUND is made in Cinema's via LOADS of small speakers all down and around The Cinema.

One is going to have to live in SOME MASSIVE Living Area to even BEGIN to HEAR Proper Atmos Sound ?

 

I reckon a good few are kidding themselves on tbh ?

My lounge is only 17' X 12.5'

 

[bigboss]

Atmos is there for people who want it. There will be some who are quite happy with 2 channel TV, a soundbar or a simple 5.1 surround system, and that's fine. But I don't see why those of us prepared to go to the cost and effort of installing Atmos speakers should be criticised.

+1

 

[Feral]

This Atmos SOUND is made in Cinema's via LOADS of small speakers all down and around The Cinema.

One is going to have to live in SOME MASSIVE Living Area to even BEGIN to HEAR Proper Atmos Sound ?

I reckon a good few are kidding themselves on tbh ?

Is it the same as being at the cinema? No. Is it an improvement on my 5.1 setup? Yes

Vs the Cinema negatives:

Sound not as immersive

smaller screen.

Vs the Cinema positives:

convenience

room equalised for my listening position.

Can pause when i need

No-one making noise or distracting

No-one kicking the back of your chair or making you get up because they need the loo.

It's been a long time since i've been to the cinema (since i had 5.1) and although ceiling speakers are not possible or even disired by some it works for me and i notice a big difference in the soundstage to be fair it's more noticable in some films than others. Plus Sky is now increasing Atmos content.

I would never have gone down the upfiring route but since i moved house and gutted the downstairs open plan but lounge space is (20' x 15') it made sense to build in ceiling speakers and i don't regret it. As long as the sound has improved i'm happy with it even if it;s not comparable to a theatre sized cinema.

 

[newlash09]

In my living room of 11x17 ft. I pre wired the room for 7.1.4 and did way with the rear speakers due to aesthetics.

I prefer watching at home anyday. The quality certainly is much better than a theatre.
And with DTS neural X activated, the sound in the sweet spot is really awesome. I wouldn't even consider changing the modest marantz till it broke down.