In-ceiling surround/Atmos speakers (7.2.4) - Floor Plan included

aarodynamics

aarodynamics

Enthusiast
I moved into a new house and am designing a non-dedicated home theater space and could really use some help.

I've had the luxury in past houses of rooms where it was easy for me to determine speaker placement with either standard, on-wall, or in-wall speakers.

In the new home theater I'm struggling with there not being optimal locations to place surround speakers aside from the ceiling.

I currently have a 3.2 setup that consists of:
  • Marantz AV7703 Pre/Pro
  • Emotiva XPA 9-channel amp
    • Bi-amp Left/Right
    • Center
  • Emotiva BassX 5-channel amp
    • Future Use
  • Left/Right Towers: B&W CM8
  • Center Channel: B&W CM Centre
  • Left/Right Sub: SVS SB16-Ultra
Proposed additions:
  • 2x B&W In-ceiling Side Surround
    • Powered by XPA amp
  • 2x B&W In-ceiling Back Surround
    • Powered by XPA amp
  • 4x B&W In-ceiling Atmos
    • Powered by BassX amp
My question is ultimately this... Am I still going to get an ideal experience with all the surround/Atmos speakers being in the ceiling?

Additionally, does anyone have any advice on speakers to go with or considerations to make while installing the new speakers?

Here's the floor plan (red = Atmos, blue = surround):
floor_plan.jpg


Here's a picture of the room:
room.jpg


Thank you!
 
Last edited:
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Looks like a nice room. Unfortunately, the answer to your main question is no. You will not get a good atmos experience with all of them in the ceiling. Since atmos(oversimplified) phantom images 3D sounds into the room, it needs the height differential to make this happen. I would put bed speakers on stands for sides and rears, however that may not be practical, so you’ll have to weigh that out for yourself.
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
I moved into a new house and am designing a non-dedicated home theater space and could really use some help.

I've had the luxury in past houses of rooms where it was easy for me to determine speaker placement with either standard, on-wall, or in-wall speakers.

In the new home theater I'm struggling with there not being optimal locations to place surround speakers aside from the ceiling.

I currently have a 3.2 setup that consists of:
  • Marantz AV7703 Pre/Pro
  • Emotiva XPA 9-channel amp
    • Bi-amp Left/Right
    • Center
  • Emotiva BassX 5-channel amp
    • Future Use
  • Left/Right Towers: B&W CM8
  • Center Channel: B&W CM Centre
  • Left/Right Sub: SVS SB16-Ultra
Proposed additions:
  • 2x B&W In-ceiling Side Surround
    • Powered by XPA amp
  • 2x B&W In-ceiling Back Surround
    • Powered by XPA amp
  • 4x B&W In-ceiling Atmos
    • Powered by BassX amp
My question is ultimately this... Am I still going to get an ideal experience with all the surround/Atmos speakers being in the ceiling?

Additionally, does anyone have any advice on speakers to go with or considerations to make while installing the new speakers?

Here's the floor plan (red = Atmos, blue = surround):
View attachment 24497

Here's a picture of the room:
View attachment 24496

Thank you!
Nice! You have the makings of a great A/V system.

I agree with William's post on all the surrounds and Atmos in the ceiling.

Your 4 Atmos speakers locations are fine...more or less the same as mine....I would stick with in ceiling and you don't have to spend B&W type cash on them, but obviously your call. I used 8" Polks that were maybe 50% of the cost of B&W in ceiling options available at BestBuy...you won't know the difference.

Surrounds...the surrounds don't need to be B&Ws either unless you just want them...timber matching is not very important for sound effects.

Placement...if floor stands are not feasible or practical, if possible I would get small book shelf speakers and wall mount them....the right side is the challenge with the door opening right where the L shaped seating is, but I think you can wall mount one above the doorway on pivoting brackets and angle it down towards the seating and match that up on the other side.

You have plenty of room for 2 more to complete the 7.2.4 system, but I think the same install will apply...either on the back wall over the door opening.

Ideally, the side surrounds...if you could wall mount the right side surround on the little strip of wall between the cased openings and bring them down maybe 5' from the ceiling (still above the listeners heads) and match that up on the left side.
 
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