upgrading for home theater

[mac1]

Hi Guys
have been upgrading my system so far have LG oled 55 c7, denon avr x 4300h ,Jamo classic eights and 160 centre, energy S 8.3 SW, rears swan inceiling 6" speakers. room size is 30' x 13' but system is down one end of room, area of 13 x 13 no left hand wall, and windows on right hand wall, hence why I have inceiling speakers. would like to upgrade to 5.1 with 2 atmos speakers or would I be better of with 7.1, can only put extra speakers in ceiling or high rear wall, hope someone can point me in the right direction Thanks

 

[lovinthehd]

Well, your rears aren't rear surrounds until you have 7ch, they're just surrounds in 5ch, and should be to the sides more than on top, but you could just use those for rear surrounds and add some speakers in the side wall, high is fine. The thing that stands out to me, though, is the small sub for that large space; the sub works with entire room volume (and speakers more about just the distance between you and them), and an 8" sub can only do so much in such a large room. You might read this https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/subwoofer-room-size. Personally I'd upgrade the sub for more impact first.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

5.1.2 will be better than 7.1, IF you can get the speaker placement right. Surrounds should be just above seated ear height. The speakers need the height differential to phantom image the sounds into the room. Bookshelf speakers on stands would work if the window is a problem.

I agree with HD about the sub too. That’s a lot of space for a little bitty sub. Maybe that’s a better starting place?

 

[snakeeyes]

An 8in is more of a mid woofer, not a subwoofer. You should look at 12 in ported subs from SVS, Rythmik, and HSU. Good luck!

 

[mac1]

Yes 8" sub is a bit small, it is on my list to run a second sub , but sorting out surrounds first, really want to concentrate on sound effects around listening area. Inceiling surrounds are 8' high and to the left and right of listening area , no room for stands and bookself speakers, have room for more inceiling speakers (atmos) in front on listening area or rear surrounds behind listening area on back wall at about 7' high would any of these work, I know its not a perfect room and has limitations, or any other ideas cheers

 

[lovinthehd]

Am not an Atmos guy but pretty sure the surrounds need to be at ear level so as to distinguish the Atmos/DTS:X immersive effects from the ceiling....back wall wouldn't be the right placement but I guess closest from what I know....

 

[KenM10759]

Am not an Atmos guy but pretty sure the surrounds need to be at ear level so as to distinguish the Atmos/DTS:X immersive effects from the ceiling....back wall wouldn't be the right placement but I guess closest from what I know....

Absolutely correct. Until the main bed speakers of front 3, surrounds and rears are down at ear level, there cannot be good Atmos effect. If all speakers are ceiling mount, it's just a mush of "Voice of God" sound.

 

[DigitalDawn]

Agreed. Any speaker level channels placed in the ceiling along with Atmos speakers will really play havoc with the Atmos effect. If you cannot move the surrounds to close to ear level then don't go with Atmos.

 

[mac1]

thanks guys thats cleared things up for me