ceiling speaker wiring questions for atmos

[craisondigital]

I am setting up my first home theater with surround sound. The room will have 2 rows of seating. My plan was to install 2 speakers above each row of seating (4 total ceiling speakers) for atmos. Is this a good plan?

My receiver is Yamaha rx-a2050. The speakers are Yamaha NS-IC600 2-Way In-Ceiling Speaker System.

I was planning to connect both sets of speakers to the SP1 (surround prescense 1) output on the amp. I've attached a picture of the amp outputs and highlighted the output on the attachment.

I was reading maybe this wasn't such a good idea to hook up the two sets of speakers to the one output. Is their a different way? Or should i be setting up the speakers a different way?

 

[Drunkpenguin]

Putting 2 speakers on 1 terminal lowers the ohms and can burn up receivers if they cannot handle it. The better, proper way would be to put one set on the terminals and one set on an amp using the pre-outs of the same channel.

 

[Montucky]

I'm confused. The RX-A2050 is fully capable of a proper 5.x.4 without external amplification, and 7.x.4 using the preamp outs. Are you going for 7.x.4?

I'd say it's best to use it as designed. The manual outlines exactly how to wire it up too if that's what you were asking:
https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/9/641299/web_YH116A0_EN_RX-A3050_RX-A2050_om_UCRABGLF_En.pdf

 

[snakeeyes]

I'm confused. The RX-A2050 is fully capable of a proper 5.x.4 without external amplification, and 7.x.4 using the preamp outs. Are you going for 7.x.4?

I'd say it's best to use it as designed. The manual outlines exactly how to wire it up too if that's what you were asking:
https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/9/641299/web_YH116A0_EN_RX-A3050_RX-A2050_om_UCRABGLF_En.pdf

If it is like my 2060, it can internally amplify 9 ch in 5.1.4 or 7.1.2. It can’t process 7.1.4. It only has preouts for base layer channels but no preouts for heights. It does allow you to wire 7.1.2 and 5.1.4 at the same time if you want to flip back and forth but that wouldn’t make sense as the ceiling speakers would be installed different for 7.1.2 than 5.1.4. I guess it would make sense if you want to wire 7.1 traditional plus 5.1.4 though. You have to step up to the 3000 series for 7.1.4.

 

[Montucky]

If it is like my 2060, it can internally amplify 9 ch in 5.1.4 or 7.1.2. It can’t process 7.1.4. It only has preouts for base layer channels but no preouts for heights. It does allow you to wire 7.1.2 and 5.1.4 at the same time if you want to flip back and forth but that wouldn’t make sense as the ceiling speakers would be installed different for 7.1.2 than 5.1.4. I guess it would make sense if you want to wire 7.1 traditional plus 5.1.4 though. You have to step up to the 3000 series for 7.1.4.

You are indeed correct, sir. I just checked out the manual a bit closer. I guess it's either 5.x.4 or 7.x.2. Basically it can process up to 9 total channels, is that correct? It says that the 7.x.4 required the next step up, the RX-A3050.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You can wire the speakers in series (2 x 8-ohm become 16-ohm) or in parallel (2 x 8-ohm become 4-ohm)

 

[snakeeyes]

You are indeed correct, sir. I just checked out the manual a bit closer. I guess it's either 5.x.4 or 7.x.2. Basically it can process up to 9 total channels, is that correct? It says that the 7.x.4 required the next step up, the RX-A3050.

Yes 7.1.4 processing if you step up to the 3000 series but only 9ch of amplification so you get preouts for heights on the 3000 series. So you need at least a 2ch amp on the 3000 series to get 7.1.4 to work.

 

[craisondigital]

Thank you for the replies. Sorry I am still confused a bit. Would the following confing work with my amp (2050)? (Fp and Rp would be in ceiling). If not, whivh would I need to remove? What is the number config for this setup? Thanks!



 

[snakeeyes]

You would be able to do 5 speakers plus the 4 ceilings. You will not have surround back.

Or you can wire 7 speakers but only 2 ceilings

Make sense? Can’t do 11 speakers

 

[craisondigital]

Yes. Thank you. I understand. And I cannot use 4 ceiling speakers with my current amp, even if I use an additional amp. Is that correct? So if I only use two ceiling speakers would you recommend me to place them in between the two rows of seats?

 

[Drunkpenguin]

How often is the 2nd row used? I built my theater around the first row. 2nd row is full of compromises. I did 4 atmos, but if I was gonna do 2 I personally would have put them above the first row.

 

[craisondigital]

Thank you for your advise. You are correct. I will probably use mostly the first row. If I only use two, I will probably get the 8" instead of 6"

 

[Drunkpenguin]

Consider this tho. Is there a chance you'll want 4 later? Because the placement for 4 and 2 is different. Hate to patch holes later.

 

[craisondigital]

Only if I could use 4 by adding an amp which I don't think is possible. I will have to use the 2050 as the main amp for the next few years.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

Check this out for placement guidelines on atmos.

https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/index.html

 

[snakeeyes]

Only if I could use 4 by adding an amp which I don't think is possible. I will have to use the 2050 as the main amp for the next few years.

You can do 4 ceiling if you remove surround back channels.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

You can do 4 ceiling if you remove surround back channels.

This would be more immersive.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Check this out for placement guidelines on atmos.

https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/index.html

Hey DP, not sure you’ve seen this one but it’s a little more comprehensive. I know you’re theater is done(for now lol) but it’s good reading.
https://www.dolby.com/us/en/technologies/dolby-atmos/dolby-atmos-home-theater-installation-guidelines.pdf

 

[-Jim-]

Hi Gents,

No one has asked how large his room is, and the distances from the screen to the first row, etc. In a small room (like my 240"L x 197" W), even though I put in 7.2.4 speakers, I bet most would be very satisfied with 5.2.4. I suggest if he's keen, to pre-wire for the Rear Surrounds and not install them. Of if he's already got them (like me) wire them all up and switch between a 7.2.2, 5.2.4, or whatever combination he wants to try. My Denon AVR-X4400H will process 13 channels; but only amplify 9 as well - like his Yamaha.