Upgrading an RT 5000 system to Atmos.

wb6jao

I have a Polk RT 5000 speaker system (2 x RT3000p front speakers, CS1000p Front Speaker, & f/x 2 x 1000 Surround Speakers) in a 5.1 configuration.

I'm looking to upgrade to a new receiver and go to an Dolby Atmos configuration. So the question is, which Polk (ceiling?) speakers do I add? How many and their location.

I'd like to go to a 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 configuration, but my main challenge is that the room is only 12 x 19 feet wide and the normal seating location has our sofa on the 19 foot wall. So I can't get speakers behind the sofa because of the wall. That may limit me to a 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 installation.

Right now my fx 1000 speakers are above and to the left and right of the sofa, only a few inches behind the sofa.

Ideas?

wb6jao

That's not possible as that puts us too close to the 70" 4k UHD screen. Also, from a design perspective it wastes too much space in the room.

WLDock

The best place to start in regards to placement is here: http://www.dolby.com/us/en/home/index.html

As far as 7.1...not sure how well it would work...or would offer more than what the f/x1000's offer switched to Dipole mode on the sides of the couch. The speakers should be right inline with the ears of the listener so that you are in the null for a more diffused sound:

DIPOLE





Trying to tie in 7.1 rears might not do much. If you try it, maybe try it with them pointing down. Also, switch the side mounted f/x1000's to Bipole to see is that works better for 7.1.

I know you pain. I'm in a bit too small room myself. The couch is against a half height wall with about three feet back to the maindoorway/wall. It would be an odd layout but I could try it.....but 7.1 will have to wait until the next house.

EndersShadow

I think some of the same limitations that keep you from going 7.1 will also be an issue for a atmos install as well as you want to be able to tell where height wise in front or behind you the sound is coming from.

For me I'd suggest going with heights first before exploring atmos.

To do atmos you would likely need to pull the sofa out more toward the center of the room.

I'm also in a similar position and I will likely be staying w 5.1 and trying for dual subs and be done. Otherwise I start to crowd my room with speakers that can't be very optimally placed. But to each his own.

specd_out

My room also has a distance of 12' from my tv and my couch is against the wall. I went 7.1 with front heights, since going back isnt an option. My heights are T15 bookshelfs about 12" up and are directly above my mains which are about 6' to the left and right of the center of my tv. My rears are fxia6. They are about 4' above the couch and about 4" to the left and right of the main sitting position. Not ideal for the rears but works well. My ceilings are about 15" high and sloped toward the listening position. I still imagine that surround backs would be a better choice if I could do it but the front heights are pretty nice.

Movie sound tracks fill the room nicely , and rain sounds pretty darn real. Some movies use them more then others, and video games make nice use of them

WLDock

Front heights are about all I have space for. I plan to try that out myself. Need to do room treatments first.