Newbie Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 Setup Advice / Guidance

javaltoppro

Hi everyone,

As an unofficial member of this board for several months now, I have read up on some topics and threads to learn more about what I can do for my setup. Now that I am ready to pull the trigger, I decided to join the forum and also hopefully, contribute with my own thoughts.

Here goes...

I am looking to install 5.1.4 Atmos (in a 500sqft apartment) with the following equipment:

• Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR1030
• Fronts: Polk RTI A3 x 2
• Center: Polk CSI A6
• Rears: Polk RTI A3 x 2
• In-Wall Height: Polk TL3 x 4
• Subwoofer: BIC Acoustech PL-200

I tried to keep everything balanced, given the lack of space. RTI A7's were out of the question... too much power. The setup will be primarily used for watching anime and movies, as well as listening to music of all genres (classical to tango to hip hop).

What are your thoughts?
What should my placement be for the in-wall height speakers? Should they be in-line with my fronts and rears?
Is Atmos worth it?

Thanks for any guidance you may provide.

John

javaltoppro

By the way, I will also be hooking up a 3 monitor + pc rig to it... most media will be run through that. Unlikely to invest in a blu-ray player.

And, sorry if this is in the wrong section!

Dmega

Atmos is worth it to me but I'm a tech nerd. Best advice is to follow the dolby atmos setup guide found at dolby.com and remember it's a guide.
I would start by placing the left and right fronts at 22 to 30 degrees to prime seat position and toed in. The distance between the fronts and prime seating position shoukd be the same distance from the center and the main seating posituin. Based on this I would then place the sub where it will fit...usually in the corner or between the front speaker and the center speaker.
I would position the surrounds wide of the prime listening position and a foot backfrom there but toed to the prime listening position. Based on this your heights should be inside of the surrounds but may or may not be in line with fronts. You really want to keep separation between heights to each other. If they line up with the fronts that's a bonus.

pkquat

This section works. I'm not an expert on atmos, but I do know it requires ceiling speakers or upward firing speakers that reflect off the ceiling. Is this were the in-wall speakers are planing to go? If they are on a vertical wall they would have to be up very high, and I am not sure if Atmos will be able to properly adjust for their location.

From what I have heard the best results have been right above or a little before the listener. Some people like them in line with the mains, others have said they like them wider, but without they actual dimensions of their setup or knowing what their AVR can do its tough to say whats best.

Dmega

I agree that in ceiling speakers are the best for atmos....I have my doubts about on Wall heights but aurora seems to think it works...then again it's a different system. If the down firing speaker is not possible perhaps the atmos modules would be better than wall heights. I don't have experience with either as I have always done atmos with speakers in ceiling or on ceiling.

javaltoppro

Dmega wrote: »

Atmos is worth it to me but I'm a tech nerd. Best advice is to follow the dolby atmos setup guide found at dolby.com and remember it's a guide.
I would start by placing the left and right fronts at 22 to 30 degrees to prime seat position and toed in. The distance between the fronts and prime seating position shoukd be the same distance from the center and the main seating posituin. Based on this I would then place the sub where it will fit...usually in the corner or between the front speaker and the center speaker.
I would position the surrounds wide of the prime listening position and a foot backfrom there but toed to the prime listening position. Based on this your heights should be inside of the surrounds but may or may not be in line with fronts. You really want to keep separation between heights to each other. If they line up with the fronts that's a bonus.

Thanks for responding. That makes sense. I think I can get the front rear and upper to line up to one another... Not sure about the angles, but will do my best. Also, I did just learn there was a pesky ceiling fan in the unit, so I will ask they remove it for the love of audio.

Mind if I ask your thoughts on the equipment? Is it okay?

javaltoppro

Dmega wrote: »

I agree that in ceiling speakers are the best for atmos....I have my doubts about on Wall heights but aurora seems to think it works...then again it's a different system. If the down firing speaker is not possible perhaps the atmos modules would be better than wall heights. I don't have experience with either as I have always done atmos with speakers in ceiling or on ceiling.

Thanks for responding. I might be able to have them mounted on the ceiling, but will need to ask the building engineer. I imagine it's possible since it's dry wall. I mentioned the ceiling fan in my response to dmega, which I will have to address, too. I don't believe they have matching atmos modules for these speakers -- do you know if they need to match? That could be another option.

Dmega

If it's an apartment they probably will take issue with probable sound in the ceiling disturbing the other residence...not to mention you will have to fix holes when you leave. Plus wiring to code behind walls....I can see this becoming a massive effort.

If it were me I would probably do the reflective module or atmos enable speakers. it would be simpler and not a permanent solution. BTW I have no real experience with them so you will need to do some research.

I don't think surrounds and atmos speakers have to be perfectly matched. But having voice matched speakers is a bonus. The important thing is the center and fronts have to match which the csi6 and rtia3 do.

Your equioment seems fine other than the atmos speakers.
I personally prefer marantz or denon at that price point.
You could save some money by going with rtia1 for the surrounds.
Subwoofer you chose seems to get good reviews but it seems to me currently on a quest to replace my current sub woofer the minimum is svs for quality.