7.1 or Atmos?

[BrianMorilla]

Hey guys, currently, I have an Onkyo TX-NR616 7.2 system. I have had it since 2012 and have two JBL book shelf's in the front, large JBL center, 4 surround JBL satellites, and two JBL subs. The 7.2 system sounds outstanding on a 7.1 track. Hardly hardly ever have I been given the opportunity to listen to a 7.1 track as it seems like so little is mixed in 7.1 Now to my question, I am moving into a new home and want to get your input on if I should set my room and system up for 7.1, should I go to atmos, or should I just do 5.1 and wait to make any major upgrades until we see if Atmos really takes off.

Is 7.1 being phased out and are we no longer going to see any Blu-rays mixed in 7.1?

 

[Coult_45]

I have been waiting to see people's response to this.

Is the future 4k hdr or even better visual offeerings with a single sound bar? JK!

Are we taking steps backwards going from 7.1 to 5.2.2? I have never experienced atmos at home so I wouldn't know. I was hoping people would respond to this thread.

 

[Foxrox]

Probably the reason no one is responding is that this topic has been beat to death. The opinions of most members are well-documented. Try reading through some other threads and then come back with more specific questions.

 

[Coult_45]

Probably the reason no one is responding is that this topic has been beat to death. The opinions of most members are well-documented. Try reading through some other threads and then come back with more specific questions.

Okay so I tried to read other post.
Looks like some think height can be over rated but...most would put it in this order as of now.
5.2 is great
7.2 with rear surounds is even better.
5.2.2 is even more emersive but not as easy to setup properly.
5.x.4
7.x.4
9.x.4
I started to use x for the subs because the more subs the better.

 

[Bryce_H]

I went from 5.1 to 5.1.4 rather than 7.1 or 7.1.2 given the size of my room.

 

[lovinthehd]

More details about your room would help. 5ch works better than 7ch with rear surrounds in a small room where you can't place the rear surrounds well in relation to your seat (you need some distance between). You have no issues with installing ceiling speakers?

 

[Ron Bates]

You can always prewire your room for 7.2.4 and even 7.4.6. Prewire is cheap and remember where the terminations are. I have 7.2.4 and really like it with the room wired for 2 more subs if I go there. My room is 15 X 22 X 8 foot. Atmos has specific specs how to set up speakers and I don't think all installers follow the spec.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Okay so I tried to read other post.
Looks like some think height can be over rated but...most would put it in this order as of now.
5.2 is great
7.2 with rear surounds is even better.
5.2.2 is even more emersive but not as easy to setup properly.
5.x.4
7.x.4
9.x.4
I started to use x for the subs because the more subs the better.

I think you have it covered.
Here’s Dolby’s fairy in depth guide.
https://www.dolby.com/us/en/technologies/dolby-atmos/dolby-atmos-home-theater-installation-guidelines.pdf