Dolby Atmos In-Ceiling Speakers

[Ryan Laposky]

Hello all,

Building a new theater (new home construction). Any recommendations on four Dolby Atmos speakers for in-ceiling mount? I will be getting SVS Ultra Series speakers for my 7.2 system, but am making it 7.2.4 with Atmos. Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[KenM10759]

Just curious, but what receiver or pre-processor are you going to be using to get the 7.2.4 output?

As for the speakers, if you're building then now is the time to run wires for ceiling speakers. Of course I'm biased but for the money I'd use the KEF Ci200QR to be on a par with those Ultra's. I managed to get a set of 4 off my local Craigslist, new in box for $100 each. They list for $349.99 each, but you can grab a pair for $425 off eBay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KEF-Speakers-/331817873393?hash=item4d41e2eff1:g:~BoAAOSwxp9W~DSw

Or a little more for two more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KEF-Ci200QR-UTB-Ultra-Thin-Bezel-Uni-Q-Q-Series-35Hz-34kHz-Single-Speaker-/291675875300?hash=item43e93ca7e4:g:sI8AAOSwmtJXTzkg

 

[Ryan Laposky]

Just curious, but what receiver or pre-processor are you going to be using to get the 7.2.4 output?

As for the speakers, if you're building then now is the time to run wires for ceiling speakers. Of course I'm biased but for the money I'd use the KEF Ci200QR to be on a par with those Ultra's. I managed to get a set of 4 off my local Craigslist, new in box for $100 each. They list for $349.99 each, but you can grab a pair for $425 off eBay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KEF-Speakers-/331817873393?hash=item4d41e2eff1:g:~BoAAOSwxp9W~DSw

 

[Ryan Laposky]

I will take a look at those speakers. I was thinking the Denon 5200 receiver. That should work, correct?

 

[KenM10759]

The Denon AVR-X5200W only has 9 channels. For 7.2.4 you need 11 channels (plus the output for subwoofers.)

The speakers I bought are for my son's system. That's currently a 7.2 system and he has to wait for a bargain on a receiver capable of adding those 4 ceiling speakers to be available cheap. He has too many other priorities with a house needing some renovations while saving for a wedding.

 

[Ryan Laposky]

Oh ok. I see. So what receiver would support 4 atmos channels. It looks like there are 4 inputs for atmos speakers unless I am looking at the back of the receiver wrong. I am newer to atmos so may not completely understand the new input markings. Isn't there a front wide right height, front wide left height, height right, height left...? I thought is does 11.2 processing?

 

[KenM10759]

In affordable current receivers I think only the Anthem MRX1120 will do what you need. It's a little pricey at $3500 but nothing else I know of does Atmos 7.2.4 without adding more pieces (amps.)

 

[Ryan Laposky]

What are front wide right height, front wide left height, height right, height left referring to on the back of the receiver? Can I do 7.2.2?

 

[KenM10759]

Oh ok. I see. So what receiver would support 4 atmos channels. It looks like there are 4 inputs for atmos speakers unless I am looking at the back of the receiver wrong. I am newer to atmos so may not completely understand the new input markings. Isn't there a front wide right height, front wide left height, height right, height left...? I thought is does 11.2 processing?

The (now discontinued) X5200 is 9 channel and can do Atmos 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 only. If it does process 11 channels it still needs an amp for 2 channels.

 

[Ryan Laposky]

Would Anthem be a better option for a receiver?

 

[KenM10759]

Would Anthem be a better option for a receiver?

That one of those subject here akin to oil changes on an automotive forum. It is debated ad infinitum.

I like the Anthem a LOT and will consider getting one if I get the pricier Ci200RR-THX speakers for my own system because I like having all speakers handled by one unit.

 

[Ryan Laposky]

Ya, I would like one unit to handle my whole system. Looks like it may be only be able to do 7.1.4. though.

 

[KenM10759]

I looked. The Denon X7200, X6200 and X5200 all have the same 9 channels amplified, and two more at "pre-out" level. This means that any of them can do 7.2.2 or 5.2.4 without an additional 2 channel power amp.

The Anthem website clearly states that the MRX1120 has "11.2 pre-amp/11 amplified channels" while the next one down, MRX720 has "11.2 pre-amp/7 amplified channels". That's why I like the MRX1120, plug & play.

 

[Latent]

The x5200 Will work perfectly for 7.1.4 setups. It only has 9 amps built in but that is about as many as you want in a single unit anyway. To do 7.1.4 you will need to add a 2 channel power amp to power the front main speakers via pre outs and this frees up the 9 built in amps to power the rest of the speakers.

You can get a 3 or 5 channel power amp if your room is bigger or the speakers need more power so your AVR can provide more power to the fewer channels it needs to drive.

The x6200 should also be considered as it is newer and has dts:x as well as atmos and better 4k support with hdcp 2.2. But is otherwise the same really.

X7200WA has a few more features and options but costs a bit more.

 

[Latent]

Also consider the Marantz sr7009 as this is going for a good price at accessories4less $850 and will do 7.1.4 and is the same as the x5200 but has 125watts instead of 140watts per channel. The money you save would go to a better power amp to get say a 3 channel to take more load off the smaller power supply in this unit.

Sr7010 is similar to the x6200 in having dts:x and hdcp 2.2 but is not as good a deal right now.

 

[Ryan Laposky]

Thanks for the reply. If I went the amp route, what would you recommend for an amp to power the front SVS ultra speakers? So I would just need RCA cabling to run from the preouts on the receiver to my amp, correct? would my speaker wire run from the amp to those speakers or would I still connect the speaker wire to the receiver? I am trying to learn all of this ad I am newer to the audiophile world

I am starting to consider the Anthem mrx 1120 since it could power everything.

Latent, do you have any recommendations on in ceiling speakers for Atmos?

 

[KenM10759]

The speakers would be connected to the auxiliary power amp. One more piece to place, connect and power up. You can save money on the older models though may want for HDCP 2.2 and 4K support while spending another $300 to $1000 (or more) on the additional amp, cables and place to put it.