3.2.4 Speaker Setup?

[zydeco]

I’m in the process of thinking through a move from 2.2 setup (stereo with subs) that is used for music and movies  to a multi-channel setup. The main goal is to improve dialogue clarity for movies via adding a center channel but, with the addition of an AVR/AVP, I’d also look to simplify room correction and integration of subs via the use of Dirac/DLBC (and possibly Dirac ART).

 

Our shared room doesn’t allow for surround speakers but it is possible to install ceiling speakers.  I’d always discarded the notion of in-ceiling surround speakers but with Dolby Atmos am re-evaluating. Is there merit in a 3.2.4 setup for multichannel music and movies? I’m wondering, to be specific, if the height speakers would provide a better sense of envelopment for unmixed stereo and/or multichannel music. Or is this just a waste of time without the surround speakers?

 

 

[Guest]

It is likely that the rear surround audio will be redirected to the fronts and all your spatial cues will be wrong.  This will wreck multi channel music especially but movies will also not sound right.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

Have you considered a 5.2 system with the rears being ceiling speakers? I am in this camp and use this set-up and it gives a good surround sound field, well better than not having any rears at all.

 

Doing it this way you wont have the option for atmos heights but you wont have it without any rears at all in any case.

[zydeco]

3 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Have you considered a 5.2 system with the rears being ceiling speakers? I am in this camp and use this set-up and it gives a good surround sound field, well better than not having any rears at all.

 

Doing it this way you wont have the option for atmos heights but you wont have it without any rears at all in any case.

No. I’d assumed that using in-ceiling speakers for the surrounds wouldn’t work the Dolby documentation states that these speakers must be at ear level. What are the characteristics of a ceiling speaker that performs well as a surround speaker role? It’d be great to learn about your setup.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

19 minutes ago, zydeco said:

No. I’d assumed that using in-ceiling speakers for the surrounds wouldn’t work the Dolby documentation states that these speakers must be at ear level. What are the characteristics of a ceiling speaker that performs well as a surround speaker role? It’d be great to learn about your setup.

Like most people I have needed to compromise my system due to the room it is in, but I've pretty much got a no compromise front LCR due to the baffle wall I installed, all speakers and subs are behind an acoustically transparent screen, so its a game of give and take.

 

I have a rectangle room thats boxed in and sealed, and my rear ceiling speakers are tucked in the rear corners. When I listen to movie sound tracks I actually get sound effects at ear level as well as well as sound effects at ceiling height and everywhere in between, the best I can explain it is that the rears create spacial effects and to be honest its enough for me to enjoy, I know its not perfect but I live with the compromise.

 

I have worked out how I can create a 5.2.4 atmos system if I wanted to install rear speakers at ear height but because the rear of my room is all glass with a decent view during the day (I have thick curtains that cover them when we watch movies) even the install would look like a compromise aesthetically so I'm not overly keen to do it.

 

For me the encapsulation of surround sound you get having rear effects (even in the ceiling) greatly enhances the movie experience. i.e. id rather have compromised rears than none at all.

[Guest]

Agree, the rears are essential if you want multi channel music and enjoy the movie audio.

 

@zydeco suggest getting ceiling speakers which can be pointed to the seating position.  One less compromise.  And if you can, same brand as the fronts.  I have all Monitor Audio speakers, and it does make a difference, more so for multi channel music.

[RussB]

@zydeco Adding a centre channel might help with vocal clarity by isolating the centre vocals, but Im wondering why you arent getting enough vocal clarity with just front left and right.  I am running 4.1 without centre channel and never had a problem with vocal clarity, and as long as I sit in sweetspot the vocals are coming from the centre when they should be.  I have tried the matching centre channel but found it to be a bit boxy in sound so removed it.  Assuming you are planning to add same brand of speaker for centre as that which is not currently providing sufficient clarity from front left and right, are you sure you will get the vocals you want from the change?

[betty boop]

I’d just go 5.1 with your surrounds in ceiling rather than try make it atmos somehow …

[zydeco]

1 hour ago, RussB said:

@zydeco Adding a centre channel might help with vocal clarity by isolating the centre vocals, but Im wondering why you arent getting enough vocal clarity with just front left and right.  I am running 4.1 without centre channel and never had a problem with vocal clarity, and as long as I sit in sweetspot the vocals are coming from the centre when they should be.  I have tried the matching centre channel but found it to be a bit boxy in sound so removed it.  Assuming you are planning to add same brand of speaker for centre as that which is not currently providing sufficient clarity from front left and right, are you sure you will get the vocals you want from the change?

Our issue is that, when watching TV as a family, those who are off-axis struggle with dialogue which sees the volume constantly being changed. It's all fine in the main listening position. 

[betty boop]

Good centre speaker  will help this especially if a centre with vertically aligned tweeter mid range eg WT/MW design

 

https://amp.svsound.com/blogs/speaker-setup-and-tuning/placement-tips-for-a-center-channel-speaker

 

as opposed to WTW designs that have poorer off axis performance …