MAXIMIZING THE USEFULNESS OF A HOME THEATER WITH 2 CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKERS

[shadyJ]

No. Not Ceiling or Height Front speakers.

I think ShadyJ said in another thread that ATMOS could be configured so that you could have any number of "discrete" channels, including 3 Front Center speakers, which means a total of 5 Front Discrete Channels, instead of the usual 3 front channels.

Sony's commercial SDDS employed this 5 discrete front channels back in the days. And ATMOS could do the same and beyond - IF they were to configure this and encode it.

Hey AceDefTech, that isn't quite what I meant. What I meant to say was that theoretically an object-oriented sound scheme like Atmos can do any number of discrete channels, but in practice Dolby has set a certain number of speaker positions with placement guidelines for each one. Cinema Atmos does do 5 front stage speakers: refer to page 2 on this Dolby specification guide. That sort of scheme might make its way to the higher-end home audio Atmos processors. In the meantime Home Atmos does kind of do 5 front stage speakers with a 9.1.x setup, using front wides, like so:

DTS:X, on the other hand, supports front wides, and front heights, so they are definitely giving you 5 front stage speakers, and more like 7:

Auro3D gives you 6 bona-fide front stage speakers, and two center speakers:

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Hey AceDefTech, that isn't quite what I meant. What I meant to say was that theoretically an object-oriented sound scheme like Atmos can do any number of discrete channels, but in practice Dolby has set a certain number of speaker positions with placement guidelines for each one. Cinema Atmos does do 5 front stage speakers: refer to page 2 on this Dolby specification guide. That sort of scheme might make its way to the higher-end home audio Atmos processors. In the meantime Home Atmos does kind of do 5 front stage speakers with a 9.1.x setup, using front wides, like so:

DTS:X, on the other hand, supports front wides, and front heights, so they are definitely giving you 5 front stage speakers, and more like 7:

Auro3D gives you 6 bona-fide front stage speakers, and two center speakers:

Shady, this is all true but give our OP a little time to "maximize" atmos and you won't even be able to comprehend its "usefulness"

 

[DCS0760]

Acutechdefguy,

I'm currently using the setup described in my OP and enjoying it. I haven't noticed any issues with comb filtering or lobing. I'm using two average sized bookshelf speakers laid horizontally and spaced a few inches apart. I can easily switch them between center or front left and front right (as described in the OP). This setup also allows me to space the traditional Front Left & Right further away from the sides of the screen while configured for a 3.0 or higher speaker pattern, because I can switch to the two center speakers (located under the screen) for an alternate more centrally located Front Left and Font Right

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...Cinema Atmos does do 5 front stage speakers...

From Dolby ATMOS Specifications:

"A minimum of three screen loudspeakers is required. For a screen wider than 12 meters (approximately 40 feet), we recommend the addition of left center and right center loudspeakers."

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

1) Front Left, 2) Front Left Center, 3) Front Center, 4) Front Right Center, and 5) Front Right.




So here is the case where having THREE Center speakers is USEFUL and MAXIMIZING.

 

[Klipschhead302]

From Dolby ATMOS Specifications:

"A minimum of three screen loudspeakers is required. For a screen wider than 12 meters (approximately 40 feet), we recommend the addition of left center and right center loudspeakers."

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

1) Front Left, 2) Front Left Center, 3) Front Center, 4) Front Right Center, and 5) Front Right.




So here is the case where having THREE Center speakers is USEFUL and MAXIMIZING.

Oh yeah, in this scenario makes perfect sense.


.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Acutechdefguy,

I'm currently using the setup described in my OP and enjoying it. I haven't noticed any issues with comb filtering or lobing. I'm using two average sized bookshelf speakers laid horizontally and spaced a few inches apart. I can easily switch them between center or front left and front right (as described in the OP). This setup also allows me to space the traditional Front Left & Right further away from the sides of the screen while configured for a 3.0 or higher speaker pattern, because I can switch to the two center speakers (located under the screen) for an alternate more centrally located Front Left and Font Right

Taking a shot in the dark, what mode is the AVR in for YOU when running 2 centers?


..

 

[DCS0760]

klipsch,

What do you mean by mode?

 

[Klipschhead302]

klipsch,

What do you mean by mode?

If you "configuring" for 2.0, 2.1, 3.0 etc etc etc... as you're adding channels what sound mode are you using? Stereo, multi-channel.... which one?


..

 

[lovinthehd]

If you "configuring" for 2.0, 2.1, 3.0 etc etc etc... as you're adding channels what sound mode are you using? Stereo, multi-channel.... which one?


..

Makes me wonder just what speaker configuration the OP has, as well as how he configures sound modes for them, but he's so far declined to elaborate.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Oh yeah, in this scenario makes perfect sense.

The only case that makes sense to me is when it is discrete and designed, encoded, and configured for it.

But, if someone likes using 2,3, or 4 center channels for the heck of it and enjoys it, we can tell them it's all wrong, but it's their prerogative.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Makes me wonder just what speaker configuration the OP has, as well as how he configures sound modes for them, but he's so far declined to elaborate.

Exactly, I have been trying to figure this out and if the guy knows what he's talking about he should be able to answer a simple question aside from read the OP.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Acutechdefguy,

I'm currently using the setup described in my OP and enjoying it. I haven't noticed any issues with comb filtering or lobing. I'm using two average sized bookshelf speakers laid horizontally and spaced a few inches apart. I can easily switch them between center or front left and front right (as described in the OP). This setup also allows me to space the traditional Front Left & Right further away from the sides of the screen while configured for a 3.0 or higher speaker pattern, because I can switch to the two center speakers (located under the screen) for an alternate more centrally located Front Left and Font Right

Whatever works best for your enjoyment is your choice.

The fact is, many of us have experimented with dual centers, among other experiments. Most of us don't like it at all.

But if you ENJOY it, then okay. Duly noted. You are not the FIRST person to enjoy dual center speakers.

 

[DCS0760]

Acudeftechguy,

There is more to the design than just having two speakers for a center channel. The advantage/benefit is being able to use the two speakers as a center channel or as a front left and front right. (The reasons/benefits of having this option have been mentioned in the OP and throughout the thread)

 

[Pogre]

Acudeftechguy,

There is more to the design than just having two speakers for a center channel. The advantage/benefit is being able to use the two speakers as a center channel or as a front left and front right. (The reasons/benefits of having this option have been mentioned in the OP and throughout the thread)

Why would you want to use them as front left and right when you already have a front left and right? I'm sorry, but I dont see that as any kind of advantage. Just a waste of money.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Why would you want to use them as front left and right when you already have a front left and right? I'm sorry, but I dont see that as any kind of advantage. Just a waste of money.

OP says it's described in the OP. I don't find that it clearly states that. So here we are chasing our tails aging. I agree, it's a waste. I feel like this is a total troll since he won't elaborate further, and just keeps saying, refer to the op, refer to the op, refer to the op....blah blah blah. It's like dealing with a 5yr old. We've all asked for elaboration but nope...refer to the op. Are we in the nordost thread?

 

[Klipschhead302]

Acudeftechguy,

There is more to the design than just having two speakers for a center channel. The advantage/benefit is being able to use the two speakers as a center channel or as a front left and front right. (The reasons/benefits of having this option have been mentioned in the OP and throughout the thread)

WHICH MODE IS THE AVR IN WHEN YOU'RE CHANGING THE SPEAKERS TO 2.0 OR ABOVE 2.0 TO MULTI-CHANNELS?

I ask in bold because you seem to be unable to answer a question, when you change your selector to multi channel or 2.0 channel with 2 centers which sound mode do you use? Plain 'ol Stereo, Virtual? Simple question to answer.

 

[Klipschhead302]

OP says it's described in the OP. I don't find that it clearly states that. So here we are chasing our tails aging. I agree, it's a waste. I feel like this is a total troll since he won't elaborate further, and just keeps saying, refer to the op, refer to the op, refer to the op....blah blah blah. It's like dealing with a 5yr old. We've all asked for elaboration but nope...refer to the op. Are we in the nordost thread?

Which mode do you think he's using? I ask because I'm honestly unsure since he has these switches in the loop and all.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Which mode do you think he's using? I ask because I'm honestly unsure since he has these switches in the loop and all.

It's actually a good question. I'll have to see what I can make up. Lol. I'd say ask op but you know....

 

[Audiosaur]

Which mode do you think he's using? I ask because I'm honestly unsure since he has these switches in the loop and all.

The phantom mode perhaps...

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

The phantom mode perhaps...

Phantom menace...