Okay, so I've had a 5.1 setup for about a decade. I finally updated my equipment so I'm able to do 7.1 or 5.1.2 (which is what I'm planning on) and lossless audio via 4K BD player. Here's my question: what's the best way to do that?
My current setup is this:
Sony STR-DN1080 receiver (capable of Atmos 5.1.2)
Polk RTi A3 bookshelf speakers about 4 ft up
Polk CSi A4 center channel under TV
Polk CS60i 6" in-ceiling speakers installed DIRECTLY ABOVE my couch, spaced about 6-8' apart.
The last part is my complication, from what I'm reading about Dolby Atmos. Here are my main thoughts for the most likely option:
Keep the current in-ceiling speakers as is and use them as surrounds. Install another pair of in-ceiling speakers above my bookshelf speakers (about 8' high) to mirror the rears. Use those as the "Atmos enabled" speakers. I could potentially place them halfway between the fronts and surrounds even (in the ceiling still) for "middle heights".
Thoughts/Questions:
-Is it a problem that the surrounds are at the same height as the Atmos enabled? Or is the sound separation mostly just needed between the fronts and the Atmos ones? Does sound height separation matter between surrounds and Atmos since so little sound comes from the surrounds anyway?
-Is the separation from 4' to 8' enough?
-Do the Atmos ceiling speakers need to be more hefty and expensive than my surrounds (CS60i)? Should I go for the 8" ones?
I know in an ideal world, I'd have surrounds at ear height and use the ceiling ones as Atmos... But my wife really doesn't seem keen on these stands, which I get. This is in a family room, not a dedicated theater. But I want to do this right so that I'll actually notice a difference.
Do you all have any input on this? I'd appreciate it greatly! I like to plan, research, and talk to people before doing anything. Thanks in advance!