Dolby Atmos

[drkcynic]

Is Dolby Atmos actually worth the trouble? Do any of you guys have it? What's your take?

I was advised to do up a 5.1.2 with the 2 being in ceiling speakers. But the missus isn't too keen on punching 2 holes in the false ceiling.

I can explore adding those upwards pointing speakers instead for the atmos but i read those ain't as effective as the ceiling types.

Any inputs will be appreciated.

 

[petetherock]

TS - there's a whole ton of info out there, and some recent threads here on it
So try and have a search first and see where others have posted about their efforts.
There aren't as many people in HWZ who do this - it's a world of bluetooth, soundbars etc..

Some links:
https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/speaker-setup-guides/7.1.4-overhead-speaker-setup-guide.html

http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=174199.0

Good luck

 

[Alphas]

I had Dolby Atmos receiver with exciters in 5.1.2 configuration. During renovation, speakers sockets are installed at ceiling and rear wall, so there are full surround with ceiling speakers. The sound effects are phenomenal with better surround effect. Using a laser projector on 100” screen makes it a cinematic experience.

 

[drkcynic]

I had Dolby Atmos receiver with exciters in 5.1.2 configuration. During renovation, speakers sockets are installed at ceiling and rear wall, so there are full surround with ceiling speakers. The sound effects are phenomenal with better surround effect. Using a laser projector on 100” screen makes it a cinematic experience.

Great, thanks for relating your experience.

I have a question. When you activate those .2s in ceiling when you are watching say football or a normal non-dolby atmos movie off a mio box, does it make a difference?

 

[drkcynic]

TS - there's a whole ton of info out there, and some recent threads here on it
So try and have a search first and see where others have posted about their efforts.
There aren't as many people in HWZ who do this - it's a world of bluetooth, soundbars etc..

Some links:
https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/speaker-setup-guides/7.1.4-overhead-speaker-setup-guide.html

http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=174199.0

Good luck

Thanks alot I'll have a read.

 

[petetherock]

Great, thanks for relating your experience.

I have a question. When you activate those .2s in ceiling when you are watching say football or a normal non-dolby atmos movie off a mio box, does it make a difference?

If you are going to 3D sound, please use real high quality sources.
Otherwise save your money.

 

[drkcynic]

If you are going to 3D sound, please use real high quality sources.
Otherwise save your money.

Not to that extent actually as I would like to keep to a budget. I am actually going for satelites for my 5.1 as I am not willing to clutter my living area with anything bigger. A SB2000 is my limit as far as size is concerned.

I have auditioned the SVS 5.1s and I think it's the best out of at least 5 different sets I have tried. The 0.2s are sort of add-ons which are good to have and within my budget so I am exploring if they are of any good. If they add to the sound of my football matches and cable tvs then all the merrier if not i guess i won't pursue further for now.

 

[Amon86]

I just got Kef R8a for testing they aren't cheap though

 

[drkcynic]

Read the links provided by petetherock and realised the ceiling fan affects the upwards pointing atmos speakers so they might not be a good option.

SVS seems to have a range of elevation speakers that is mounted between the wall and ceiling pointing down so I might explore that option.

 

[Amon86]

Read the links provided by petetherock and realised the ceiling fan affects the upwards pointing atmos speakers so they might not be a good option.

SVS seems to have a range of elevation speakers that is mounted between the wall and ceiling pointing down so I might explore that option.

Well i don't have ceiling fans only aircon so it doesn't affect me

 

[drkcynic]

Well i don't have ceiling fans only aircon so it doesn't affect me

I know that's why you have it. Though it's not a good option for me.

So how is the effect?

 

[Amon86]

I know that's why you have it. Though it's not a good option for me.

So how is the effect?

The effect were not bad but it greatly depend on the scene of the movie tried with tomb raider,black panther,avenger endgame and Alita battle angel

For tomb raider will be at the wave hitting the ship causing shipwreck scene...the forest running part only add the forest spaciousness for soundstage

black panther will be korea scene and the ending ship fly around scene

endgame will be the final battle scene thing flying around

Alita will be the fighting scene and the motorball scene the fingers shoot out scene cutting all alita limbs the atmos audio ultilize quite weak

anyways i in the process of testing

 

[petetherock]

I know that's why you have it. Though it's not a good option for me.

So how is the effect?

You already said that you won’t be playing Atmos material and will be using basic low resolution lossy programs. What are your expectations?
You may want to go to Adelphi and bring the kind of tracks you use and listen..

 

[drkcynic]

You already said that you won’t be playing Atmos material and will be using basic low resolution lossy programs. What are your expectations?
You may want to go to Adelphi and bring the kind of tracks you use and listen..

Oh sorry if I misread you earlier. I will be sourcing for better sources of course. I think that will come slightly later. Things like netflix offering atmos movies and blu ray movies are what I will be trying to go for after getting the 5.1.2 setup in place.

But i guess 80-90% of the time I will be on normal cable tv, youtube for the kids etc. I have a young family so in terms of spare time that's the best I can do for now.

That's why I wanted to find out if the additional Atmos speakers 0.2s add to the experience even with crappy sources because if they do, even abit, that will be a plus point to get them.

 

[drkcynic]

The effect were not bad but it greatly depend on the scene of the movie tried with tomb raider,black panther,avenger endgame and Alita battle angel

For tomb raider will be at the wave hitting the ship causing shipwreck scene...the forest running part only add the forest spaciousness for soundstage

black panther will be korea scene and the ending ship fly around scene

endgame will be the final battle scene thing flying around

Alita will be the fighting scene and the motorball scene the fingers shoot out scene cutting all alita limbs the atmos audio ultilize quite weak

anyways i in the process of testing

Sounds good. When I went for audition it seems like for movies which I had watched before, sounds which were never apparent in the past, became more apparent. They really add to the experience.

Granted I tested them only in the 5.1s setup and in a professional setting. So am trying to find out general home users' experiences especially with the additional atmos.

 

[Amon86]

Sounds good. When I went for audition it seems like for movies which I had watched before, sounds which were never apparent in the past, became more apparent. They really add to the experience.

Granted I tested them only in the 5.1s setup and in a professional setting. So am trying to find out general home users' experiences especially with the additional atmos.

Now i curious how does 2 x pair sounds like....whether the 3.6k is worth it....

 

[drkcynic]

Now i curious how does 2 x pair sounds like....whether the 3.6k is worth it....

Lol. It's poison...

Set a budget and stick by it is my advice.

 

[Amon86]

Lol. It's poison...

Set a budget and stick by it is my advice.

Hmmm normally for audio i didn't set a budget as long as it does make a huge difference i will go for it.......that's why i could spent $1.8k for just a pair of 2m speaker cable....my upcoming subwoofer Y-cable coming next month i got it for $650.00 for 3m to ulitise my new JL audio fathom

 

[drkcynic]

Hmmm normally for audio i didn't set a budget as long as it does make a huge difference i will go for it.......that's why i could spent $1.8k for just a pair of 2m speaker cable....my upcoming subwoofer Y-cable coming next month i got it for $650.00 for 3m to ulitise my new JL audio fathom

I was reading Amazon reviews and realised US lets their natives do returns for speakers. Pity SG doesn't have such return policies or else I will be more adventurous.

Now the worry is more of spending the dough but not getting the effect you want in your setup and end up getting stuck with loads of speakers you don't like.

 

[Amon86]

I was reading Amazon reviews and realised US lets their natives do returns for speakers. Pity SG doesn't have such return policies or else I will be more adventurous.

Now the worry is more of spending the dough but not getting the effect you want in your setup and end up getting stuck with loads of speakers you don't like.

The only way is to go demo it yourself for speakers at adelphi like petetherock
say....in forums no one can really help you as in knowing your taste and liking as everyone's taste is different....you can only experience it yourself....anyways i am familiar with the people there so i could borrow gears and accessories back home for testing before buying as the trust is there....as for atmos module really must take back trial test then know the result....