Layout for Dolby Atmos

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soulsnipes40

Audiophyte
Hey guys,

Brand new. New house and I’m dedicating a room in the basement for a HT. Looking to go 5.1.4. Was wondering if you could help me out with placement for the ceiling speakers due to the design of the room. Also curious as in what size screen I should go with. Appreciate any info!
 

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S

soulsnipes40

Audiophyte
Also, was thinking of putting a bar at the bottom.
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Is the home built? I would try and relocate that doorway. Move the couch forward a bit. What is your base layer gonna be? What is the ceiling height? You’ll want to have the ceiling speakers at 45° fore and aft of the LP. So whatever the height is from ear(seated) to ceiling is how far in front of and behind. The width can be out as far as the mains, IMO that would depend on ceiling height. For example, if the ceiling is low, I would probably want them not way out to the sides. I’ll attach the guide, and some pics.



These are in the guide but just I dropped em here for quick viewing.
 
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soulsnipes40

Audiophyte
Thanks so much for the feedback. The house is already built but everything was just unfinished in the basement besides the studs. Moving the door placement would be a chore. Looking like we well have that area carpeted. Also, the height of the ceiling will be around 8ft 5”.
 
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soulsnipes40

Audiophyte
Thanks so much for the feedback. The house is already built but everything was just unfinished in the basement besides the studs. Moving the door placement would be a chore. Looking like we well have that area carpeted. Also, the height of the ceiling will be around 8ft 5”.
I was hoping to have the speakers all within that first part of the room before it narrows out at the 16 ft mark
 
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snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
Is the home built? I would try and relocate that doorway. Move the couch forward a bit. What is your base layer gonna be? What is the ceiling height? You’ll want to have the ceiling speakers at 45° fore and aft of the LP. So whatever the height is from ear(seated) to ceiling is how far in front of and behind. The width can be out as far as the mains, IMO that would depend on ceiling height. For example, if the ceiling is low, I would probably want them not way out to the sides. I’ll attach the guide, and some pics.



These are in the guide but just I dropped em here for quick viewing.
So for surrounds, if you match exactly at ear level, most seats have headrests that would block them so shouldn’t they be raised a little higher to clear seating? Or find different lower seating?
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
So for surrounds, if you match exactly at ear level, most seats have headrests that would block them so shouldn’t they be raised a little higher to clear seating? Or find different lower seating?
Yes. That’s pretty much true. The spec says 1.25 x H1(mains tweeter height). So with a tweeter in the mains at 40” you can go to 50” on the surrounds. This is just a guideline like most of the specs and not set in stone. I ended up at like 55”(not home to measure now.) imo it’s a balancing act. High enough to clear obstacles, but low enough to keep separation.
 
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snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
Yes. That’s pretty much true. The spec says 1.25 x H1(mains tweeter height). So with a tweeter in the mains at 40” you can go to 50” on the surrounds. This is just a guideline like most of the specs and not set in stone. I ended up at like 55”(not home to measure now.) imo it’s a balancing act. High enough to clear obstacles, but low enough to keep separation.
So is the goal to clear seats but only be about 1/3 up the wall? Or is halfway to the ceiling even ok? My ceilings are 8ft 6in so that’s why I ask. I can lounge my seats back since reclining seats.
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
So is the goal to clear seats but only be about 1/3 up the wall? Or is halfway to the ceiling even ok? My ceilings are 8ft 6in so that’s why I ask. I can lounge my seats back since reclining seats.
If you normally decline them, I’d keep that in mind. The problem with going too high is the surrounds will blend too much with the tops. Obviously to certain point, there will be blending, and some will be intentional. But too close together and because of how we hear, they will be hard to differentiate. Another way around that might be a tighter square overhead, but I’d be careful not to get too small so the tops don’t run together too.
My sides wouldn’t have been so high but there’s a 3 gang light switch box at exactly the height I wanted. One thing to remember, is Atmos is pretty forgiving, and these are guidelines to help get people close. Obviously can’t go willy nilly, but it’s looser than people think.

For example, this is an image that Joe Rodgers and I spent much time on hashing out MY c34e placement. In the end I was splitting hairs, but that’s how people are approaching Atmos which is fine. Just don’t get stalled out with analysis paralysis, and end up doing nothing. It IS forgiving, and imo some Atmos is better than no Atmos.
 
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soulsnipes40

Audiophyte
Ok great info, thanks again. I’m ordering the RSL’s for the ceiling so I’m glad to know you went with those.
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Ok great info, thanks again. I’m ordering the RSL’s for the ceiling so I’m glad to know you went with those.
Yeah man, I love them. In fact I got them before I got my AVR. So I built some quick boxes and used them as mains in my bedroom 5.1 system. I LOVE how they image. They’re nice and smooth too. I think you’ll be very happy.
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
I was hoping to have the speakers all within that first part of the room before it narrows out at the 16 ft mark
I would also try and keep them in that area. I would try and have the door swing OUT of the room if you can. Then you’d have an easier time of putting a speaker over there.
 

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