Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 front height speaker experience?

Bearjamin · 11 Jul 2019 at 13:59

Wondering if anyone here has a Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 speaker setup and what's your experience? I don't have the option to saw holes in the ceiling since I'm renting right now, so there's only two options. I watched a review recently of up firing vs front hight vs ceiling speakers (https://youtu.be/pqi5dEWp_vs) and now I'm pretty convinced that front heights are much more authentic option than up firing.

However the reviewer received the SVS prime elevation speakers from SVS for free and has Amazon affiliate links for it, so he's probably a bit biased towards those particular speakers. Anyone else here have a front hight 5.1.2 set up? What speakers are you using and how's your experience?

Bearjamin · 11 Jul 2019 at 14:17

hornetstinger said:
Don't have Atmos but when I do it'll be in ceiling.

Definitely the way to go so long as you've got the option. I'll be envious!

Bearjamin · 11 Jul 2019 at 17:48

metalmackey said:
I went from KEF up firing R50 modules to the SVS Prime elevation speakers and Atmos sounds a lot better to me. I have 4 SVS's though, mI set them to top front and top rear in the AVR settings. I thought the KEF's were good till I got the Primes

Thanks. Good to hear from someone who's heard the difference first hand

Bearjamin · 11 Jul 2019 at 17:55

killem said:
I Have 5.1.2 but with XTZ S2 speakers mounted high up on the left and right wall in the midle of my room. It works well but you can also mount these ontop of you front pair for up firing.

Is there a setting in your AVR for that? Not heard of that kind of setup before.

Bearjamin · 11 Jul 2019 at 18:24

killem said:
I Have a Anthem MRX720 amp and the room correction on it is exellent and it handles the setup for the speakers.

Speakers are down fireing but mounted right at the top of the wall. Due to the shape the design the cones are angled into the room towards the seating position.

Is that to say the cones are facing towards you, rather than towards the middle of the room? If so, how did you mount them like that if the key holes are on the rear?

Bearjamin · 11 Jul 2019 at 20:15

killem said:
mounting holes are on both the side and bottom so you can buy a flush mounting kit. I did not want to drill into ceiling so this was the best solution.

https://imgur.com/a/wxBbMqE

Ahh, I see what you mean now, thanks. Looks great in white! Where did you get them?

Bearjamin · 12 Jul 2019 at 08:06

Hedge said:
I have Dali Alteco as heights but they sit above and behind me.

Definitely fills the room on atmos movies.

It's not as amazing as going stereo - 5.1 but it sure ain't bad.

I think the Dali Alteco seem more in my budget, but I'd probably think about spraying them white to blend in with the ceiling more haha

Bearjamin · 12 Jul 2019 at 08:18

200sols said:
Or just buy the white ones?

Ah... didn't spot they had white ones. Duh! I'm stupid..

Bearjamin · 12 Jul 2019 at 09:55

barmyllama said:
Don't want to hijack the thread. But I'd like an option on whether the Dali Alteco would be best mounted as front height or rear height down fiirng, for a listing position that is on a rear wall.

I couldn't really say, since I'm still researching about it all myself. But from most places I've read, 5.1.2 using elevated speakers as the heights; front heights are optimal, and only adding rear heights for 5.1.4

Hedge said above he's using rear height channels. It would be interesting to hear a comparison between a front height vs rear height 5.1.2 setup.

Bearjamin · 12 Jul 2019 at 12:47

VincentHanna said:
I'd love to have ceiling mounted Atmos speakers, but not practical to install in rented accommodation.

I've had 2x PSB Imagine XA speakers since 2017, so I have 5.1.2

It's just added 'atmosphere' really, they aren't as important as front/rear or side speakers.

But are those in an up firing or elevated configuration?

Bearjamin · 12 Jul 2019 at 13:09

VincentHanna said:
Up-firing

This photo is a few years old, before I upgraded to a 65C9

Wow nice setup. I love the look of the Q Acoustics range. What model are they? I've found a deal on a 2000i 5.1 package and I'm hovering over the buy button. I assume you're happy with yours?

Bearjamin · 12 Jul 2019 at 14:01

VincentHanna said:
Yeah, really happy with those. I use it mainly for movies and gaming.

That's the Q Acoustics 3050 Fronts, 3090 Centre, I've got 3020 Rears and have since replaced the 3070 subwoofer (140W) with a SVS PC-2000 subwoofer (500 Watts)

Nice. I'm sure the 3000 series are even better than the 2000i series, but right now they cost 3x more than what I can get them at! I'm sure I'll be happy with the 2000i 5.1 package and they had great reviews in their time. They'll smash what I have right now I'm sure! Just clicked buy

Bearjamin · 19 Jul 2019 at 18:17

Wow those KEF Q900 speakers look like they would give some huge sound. I see how that might drown out the eggs.

Bearjamin · 21 Jul 2019 at 18:00

MaDMaX** said:
I have KEF Q500 fronts in my 5.1.2 setup, i dread to think (in a good way) what the Q900's would be like (thinking of the old Maxell tape advert ) lol

in think in a 5.1.2 config, TMR/L is a good choice, I have Kef T101's as my atmos speakers, and T301's behind me, with a Q200 centre,

Forgive me but by TMR/L, does that mean 'top middle right/left'? As in your Atmos .2 speakers are on the ceiling between MLP and fronts? Those KEF T101 look remarkably slim! Did you ceiling mount them? How about cable management?

Bearjamin · 21 Jul 2019 at 18:17

MaDMaX** said:
yes thats right as in just infront of MLP in my setup, they have plates that are slightly magnetic if i remember, but the actual speakers slot into them,

i used the micro D link stuff for the wires, runs from both speakers to the left and down the wall, i didnt really have the choice of putting the speakers and or cable in the ceiling, at the time, but to be honest not a single person that comes round even knows they are there

That seems like the best alternative to in-ceiling speakers I've heard of! Truly down firing ceiling speakers have got to beat elevation type setup I'd have thought. How do you find them for Atmos content? Have you ever heard the difference with alternative setups?

Bearjamin · 21 Jul 2019 at 19:04

MaDMaX** said:
no alternatives im afraid, but i have never tired of my setup, have dolby atmos demo discs that sound crazy, i do have a relatively low ceiling, , but the wife was quite happy how unobtrusive they seem, which is rare, im in wiltshire, if your close your more than welcome to have a demo,

off home shortly, so apologises if i dont reply till later or tomorrow,

Wife approval is always good! Haha. Kind offer; I'm in Derby but if I find myself going that way in the near future I may get in touch. Cheers

Bearjamin · 21 Jul 2019 at 21:32

MaDMaX** said:
No worries

If you pm me your email address I could send some pics of my setup just to give you the idea , if not no problem

That would be very helpful, cheers.

Edit: When I try and PM you it says I can't start a conversation with you. Not sure why; I've never tried before.