5.1.1?

[Bargeman]

Hi folks, many years ago we remodeled our basement and while at the time I was just a 2 channel guy, home theater was really starting to take off so at the last minute I ran some wires in the studs for a 5.1 system. Oh how I wished I would of read forums like this! The sheet rock guys were coming the next day and so I just winged it and put the wires where I thought would be best! At the last minute I decided to throw in one more wire right above the listening position thinking I don’t know 6.1? I covered up that wire with a wall plate and never put a speaker in. I have to admit the Setup came out pretty good and have been really enjoying all these years. Flash forward 15 years! Atmos! Do I want to delve into that, cut holes In the ceiling start over? This is a long story , sorry but I went ahead and bought a nice Marantz receiver with atmos and now just figuring out what to do. So here is my question to you and why I started this long drawn out story! Could I just hook up that long ago placed single speaker wire with one speaker for now and would I get any atmos benefit? What do you think? Sorry I am just retired this year and have way to much time on my hands. Thanks guys.

 

[Phase 2]

It doesn't get any better. I been retired for over 7 years now due to a accident. I'm 60 now, get yourself a Lot of movies, music and build yourself a good HT room. You'll need it to have something to do. My life is like that move with Tom Cruise, Live die repeat..yep they lied about retirement.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hi folks, many years ago we remodeled our basement and while at the time I was just a 2 channel guy, home theater was really starting to take off so at the last minute I ran some wires in the studs for a 5.1 system. Oh how I wished I would of read forums like this! The sheet rock guys were coming the next day and so I just winged it and put the wires where I thought would be best! At the last minute I decided to throw in one more wire right above the listening position thinking I don’t know 6.1? I covered up that wire with a wall plate and never put a speaker in. I have to admit the Setup came out pretty good and have been really enjoying all these years. Flash forward 15 years! Atmos! Do I want to delve into that, cut holes In the ceiling start over? This is a long story , sorry but I went ahead and bought a nice Marantz receiver with atmos and now just figuring out what to do. So here is my question to you and why I started this long drawn out story! Could I just hook up that long ago placed single speaker wire with one speaker for now and would I get any atmos benefit? What do you think? Sorry I am just retired this year and have way to much time on my hands. Thanks guys.

2 or more Atmos speakers would be better, but one Atmos speaker is better than Zero.

 

[Bargeman]

Ha! That’s funny, I will take your advice. Mamas got a list too! Looks like I’m going to be busy

 

[Bargeman]

I think I will try it, sure wished I would of ran two wires. Thanks

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think I will try it, sure wished I would of ran two wires. Thanks

So the single wire is up in the attic?

And you are going to install in-ceiling speaker?

 

[Bargeman]

So the single wire is up in the attic?

And you are going to install in-ceiling speaker?

No I am in the basement so no attic access! I’m not sure about in ceiling , would maybe a bi polar speaker work to maybe spread the sound better?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No I am in the basement so no attic access! I’m not sure about in ceiling , would maybe a bi polar speaker work to maybe spread the sound better?

I don't think it matters too much.

 

[Bargeman]

I don't think it matters too much.

Ok thanks, I must have an extra speaker around here to try.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd say it should work somewhat if the Marantz will accept that there is only one speaker to send info to....

I'm confused tho as to the location of the Atmos speaker if it's not in the ceiling....

One of the luxuries of retirement is having time on your hands, and there's never too much time....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Hi folks, many years ago we remodeled our basement and while at the time I was just a 2 channel guy, home theater was really starting to take off so at the last minute I ran some wires in the studs for a 5.1 system. Oh how I wished I would of read forums like this! The sheet rock guys were coming the next day and so I just winged it and put the wires where I thought would be best! At the last minute I decided to throw in one more wire right above the listening position thinking I don’t know 6.1? I covered up that wire with a wall plate and never put a speaker in. I have to admit the Setup came out pretty good and have been really enjoying all these years. Flash forward 15 years! Atmos! Do I want to delve into that, cut holes In the ceiling start over? This is a long story , sorry but I went ahead and bought a nice Marantz receiver with atmos and now just figuring out what to do. So here is my question to you and why I started this long drawn out story! Could I just hook up that long ago placed single speaker wire with one speaker for now and would I get any atmos benefit? What do you think? Sorry I am just retired this year and have way to much time on my hands. Thanks guys.

I’m going to say NO. Since the AVR has no reference to a x.x.1 it has no way of properly rendering any content. Atmos is not simply about birds and planes and rain overhead. The best case, and a looong shot at best would be if they single speaker had dual tweeters and could be wired for stereo. Then you could wire it as top fronts, as in 5.1.2. It would make sound, but it would not be very Atmosy.

I am all to familiar with the “honey Do” list lol, and I’d certainly understand not wanting to go and install new speakers such. However, I am lucky enough to have 7.3.4 in my LR and IMO, any reservations you have with not being worth it will be for nought. Besides, wouldn’t you sleep better knowing your retirement system is all it can be? Lol

 

[Bargeman]

I'd say it should work somewhat if the Marantz will accept that there is only one speaker to send info to....

I'm confused tho as to the location of the Atmos speaker if it's not in the ceiling....

One of the luxuries of retirement is having time on your hands, and there's never too much time....

I’m sorry it will be on ceiling it might be on a bracket and not “in”ceiling so I don’t have to cut large hole.

 

[lovinthehd]

I’m sorry it will be on ceiling it might be on a bracket and not “in”ceiling so I don’t have to cut large hole.

Gotcha. I'd test out just running the one speaker in setup and see what happens before I bother mounting it....

 

[Bargeman]

I’m going to say NO. Since the AVR has no reference to a x.x.1 it has no way of properly rendering any content. Atmos is not simply about birds and planes and rain overhead. The best case, and a looong shot at best would be if they single speaker had dual tweeters and could be wired for stereo. Then you could wire it as top fronts, as in 5.1.2. It would make sound, but it would not be very Atmosy.

I am all to familiar with the “honey Do” list lol, and I’d certainly understand not wanting to go and install new speakers such. However, I am lucky enough to have 7.3.4 in my LR and IMO, any reservations you have with not being worth it will be for nought. Besides, wouldn’t you sleep better knowing your retirement system is all it can be? Lol

Well put my friend!

 

[Bargeman]

Gotcha. I'd test out just running the one speaker in setup and see what happens before I bother mounting it....

I will do that! Thanks

 

[Bargeman]

I’m going to say NO. Since the AVR has no reference to a x.x.1 it has no way of properly rendering any content. Atmos is not simply about birds and planes and rain overhead. The best case, and a looong shot at best would be if they single speaker had dual tweeters and could be wired for stereo. Then you could wire it as top fronts, as in 5.1.2. It would make sound, but it would not be very Atmosy.

I am all to familiar with the “honey Do” list lol, and I’d certainly understand not wanting to go and install new speakers such. However, I am lucky enough to have 7.3.4 in my LR and IMO, any reservations you have with not being worth it will be for nought. Besides, wouldn’t you sleep better knowing your retirement system is all it can be? Lol

By the way did you say Atmosy! We are breaking new ground here! Lol

 

[slipperybidness]

Hi folks, many years ago we remodeled our basement and while at the time I was just a 2 channel guy, home theater was really starting to take off so at the last minute I ran some wires in the studs for a 5.1 system. Oh how I wished I would of read forums like this! The sheet rock guys were coming the next day and so I just winged it and put the wires where I thought would be best! At the last minute I decided to throw in one more wire right above the listening position thinking I don’t know 6.1? I covered up that wire with a wall plate and never put a speaker in. I have to admit the Setup came out pretty good and have been really enjoying all these years. Flash forward 15 years! Atmos! Do I want to delve into that, cut holes In the ceiling start over? This is a long story , sorry but I went ahead and bought a nice Marantz receiver with atmos and now just figuring out what to do. So here is my question to you and why I started this long drawn out story! Could I just hook up that long ago placed single speaker wire with one speaker for now and would I get any atmos benefit? What do you think? Sorry I am just retired this year and have way to much time on my hands. Thanks guys.

Maybe you could tie 2 wires to the end of the original wire, then use the original wire to re-pull the 2 new wires?

You would still have to deal with getting the 2 wires to the proper ceiling locations, but that may be easy to hide.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ok thanks, I must have an extra speaker around here to try.

I believe in the Speaker Config setting, the AVR will assume you have 2 Height or Ceiling speakers. And then you specify that it is present and set to Small.

IOW, you could tell the AVR that you have 4 ceiling speakers and it wouldn't know if you were lying. Just don't use the automatic room EQ.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

By the way did you say Atmosy! We are breaking new ground here! Lol

Well...ummm.....
Yes! Yes I did. It’s actually a very very scientific term. I’ll look for the Atmosy white paper. Lol.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Well put my friend!

Thank you!