No talk on home theater audio is complete without mentioning the ultimate Dolby Atmos ceiling speakers. It is a surround sound technology that no other setup can beat. The unmatched power of this setup comes from the correct location of ceiling speakers, channel focus, and many other factors.
Combined with the latest height channels, these conventional surround sound configurations can give great audio results. Whether you want to watch a movie or have an hour of listening to soul-soothing music, the Atmos ceiling setup can do it just the right way for you.
To find out about the best location for ceiling speakers, let us first walk through the importance of Dolby Atmos setup.
Dolby Atmos Setup
Dolby Atmos has been the best attempt at making listeners not listen to the audio but become it. This surround sound technology excludes the concept of isolated channels. It has a way of creating the best quality output that feels realistic. Also, it is such an efficient technique that it will adjust and adapt accordingly no matter what speaker arrangement you choose.
The adaptability is one of the reasons why Dolby Atmos has taken over the conventional surround sound setups.
The HEIGHT Channel in Dolby Atmos Setup
The foremost thing in making Dolby Atmos work is ensuring that the AV receiver has enough channels, specifically a channel called HEIGHT. It is the channel that connects to the overhead speakers.
If the Height channel is missing, your receiver needs channel adjustment to produce vertically panned sounds. If you cannot adjust the receiver’s settings, take help from the device’s manual/instructions.
Should Atmos Speakers be Directly Overhead?
The viewer’s ideal location is the most crucial factor to consider while deciding on the Dolby Atmos setup. Most of the time, people prefer the position of full-range ceiling speakers at some height. This creates an entertainment den where speakers are perfectly delivering to the ears with no interruptions in between while viewers hang out on the couch.
There is another option to place speakers on stands at a certain height. The concept behind this setup is to keep speakers at the same level as ears. However, it is the will of users to decide the exact height or listening level as per their liking. The standard size in Dolby Atmos setup is around 4 feet.
However, no matter what height you choose, make sure that all speakers are precisely at the same height. Moreover, the distance between the listener and all speakers should be the same.
The Types of Layouts
Though there are many ways to layout Dolby Atmos setup 4, explained below, are the best positions for ceiling speakers.
● 7.1.4
This setup includes four ceiling-mounted speakers and seven channels with two surrounds placed at either side, two at the rear, and three front channels.
● 5.1.4
Like the arrangement mentioned above, this includes four ceiling-mounted speakers and a 5.1 setup.
● 7.1.2
This setup includes two ceiling-mounted speakers and a 7.1 setup.
● 9.1.2
2 Dolby Atmos speakers at the ceiling and 9.1 audio setups.
How Far Apart Should Atmos Ceiling Speakers Be?
There are two essential things to take care of:
1. All speakers should be at the same height.
2. All speakers should be at the same distance from the listener.
If that is not the case, you will not be able to enjoy an equal volume of music/audio or balanced audio from all speakers. The distance between the ceiling speakers depends on the size of the room.
Should Atmos Ceiling Speakers be Angled?
Yes, the speakers can be at any angle from 45 to 90 degrees to the listener, depending on the best position for ceiling speakers. Let us find out more about the perspective of the 7.1.4 setup below!
1- For Main Left Center Right
The speakers at the right and left sides should be making an angle of 45 – 60 degrees with the listeners, with the center channel focused on the screen.
2- For Surround Speakers
The main surround speakers should ideally align with the listeners’ ears. In case you are placing them on stands, they should be at the same level as the ears.
The rear surround speakers can be at a level with ears in case of only one row of seats. Their angle should be 45 degrees like the main surround speakers for 7.1.4. However, for the 5.1.4 setup, their angle should be 110 degrees.
3- Atmos Speakers
They should be at a 90 angel from the listeners when seen from a side. They need to be in alignment with the front left and right as well as rear left and right speakers.
How Many Speakers Should I Use?
The primary function of Dolby Atmos is to create high audio results eliminating the reality of spacing and speaker locations. Thus, its setup decodes and produces audio in excellent quality that listeners take sounds as real objects that they can touch and feel.
Atmos receivers support four ceiling speakers and can work with two speakers. Four speaker setup is preferred because it can create a more optimal environment. This is especially true for rooms where speakers are placed near the sitting area. So, it depends on your demands whether you want four speakers or 2.
The Bottom Line!
As the above-discussed guide explains, the position of speakers determines a great deal of the audio quality. Though many speaker configurations are available, the most popular ones are 7.1.4 and 5.1.4 because the best number of speakers you can install is 4.
However, making the best use of immersive home theater sequences demands expert hands who have successfully done the job before. You can find such a team at Home Theater installation pros near me. They can help you create the ultimate Dolby Atmos Surround Setup.
Get in touch with them if every angle and little aspect of your home theater matters to you. They will make the most of your investment for you.
