Looking to do a 5.1.2 setup for a home theatre

[chipotleaway]

I know very little about this stuff, am not an audiophile but would like to make sure I'm not spending money in the wrong way.

I am currently working with a 55" OLED TV and a PS4 to play blu-ray media. I am not sure if it is recommended to upgrade to a dedicated blu-ray player.
This system will be for movies and very little music listening.

To get Dolby Atmos, I am looking to add this system:

Amazon.com

And this receiver:

Amazon.com

Dimensions and placement rough in shown in images (dims in inches).

Any recommendations on things I'm missing? Looking at a $2000 budget, but can go over if there are holes in my setup. Thanks!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Can't install in-ceiling speakers?

Those upward-firing Atmos speakers aren't very good even when compared to the cheapest in-ceiling speakers for Atmos sound.

 

[chipotleaway]

I can do in ceiling speakers if it makes that much of a difference, just didn't want to if it was only a marginal gain. I cannot do in wall speakers at the rear (it is concrete)

 

[TLS Guy]

I can do in ceiling speakers if it makes that much of a difference, just didn't want to if it was only a marginal gain. I cannot do in wall speakers at the rear (it is concrete)

Upward firing speakers are a waste of time and worse then not having them.

You could consider buying fewer better speakers and adding speakers over time. Fewer better speakers always bests more poorer ones.

Two or three good speakers up front and a sub is a very good way to start. If possible you should listen to speakers, if you can first. In my opinion there are far more lousy speakers, than good ones.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can do in ceiling speakers if it makes that much of a difference, just didn't want to if it was only a marginal gain.

In-ceiling speakers make 100% Day-Night difference!!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can do in ceiling speakers if it makes that much of a difference, just didn't want to if it was only a marginal gain.

It makes 100% Day-Night difference

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Go to Best Buy and listen to Klipsch speakers if you have not already. If you love how they sound, then get the Klipsch + in-ceiling for Atmos.

Don’t buy those upward-firing Atmos.

 

[Wardog555]

1. Get the seating off the walls.
2. Atmos on the ceiling is the only viable option.

 

[chipotleaway]

1. Get the seating off the walls.
2. Atmos on the ceiling is the only viable option.

How far off the walls? As you can see by the space, there isn't a ton to work with, but I could possibly do like 12" away?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How far off the walls? As you can see by the space, there isn't a ton to work with, but I could possibly do like 12" away?

If there is no room, then seat against the wall is fine- don’t worry about it.

 

[Eppie]

From the photo, your room dimensions appear to be similar to mine. Moving the couch further in is not always practical. I have small bookshelves in the same rear location as you have pictured and they work nicely. Try and keep the tweeters near ear level when seated and as far back as possible (surrounds should be slightly behind you).

You can probably get away with a single pair of in-ceiling ATMOS speakers. I have mine installed slightly ahead of the main seating position. If you can get angled baffles, aim the speakers at the main seating position.

I would also recommend listening to some speakers first. That's the most important piece in putting a system together. Klipsch do have a particular sound. As mentioned above, don't afraid to get a better set of front three speakers first and add the rears and ATMOS later. That was the approach I took and I have a much better system for it. Depends on how particular you are about the sound and whether you are making a long term investment or just wanting to do the whole 5.1.2 setup in one go. You can always check here for opinions on your speaker options.

 

[chipotleaway]

I think I plan on just getting the full ATMOS system now as a set and forget thing. I have too many hobbies to be fiddling with it too much lol!

New plan as follows after listening to Polks and Klipsch.
Fronts: Polk audio monitor XT70
Center: Monitor XT35
Rears: Monitor XT20
Ceiling: RC80i
Sub: XT12

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think I plan on just getting the full ATMOS system now as a set and forget thing. I have too many hobbies to be fiddling with it too much lol!

New plan as follows after listening to Polks and Klipsch.
Fronts: Polk audio monitor XT70
Center: Monitor XT35
Rears: Monitor XT20
Ceiling: RC80i
Sub: XT12

Probably decent for the money. I think you will be pretty happy.

Next question: will you stop coming to audio forums and just enjoy the system? Or will you be coming back to audio forums?

 

[chipotleaway]

I'm sure I'll be back, just got young kids so have to cut my time where I would have previously liked to tinker. I built a boominator from the diyaudio forum years back and would likely be interested in building my own speaker cabinets again but for now I just want something more than a soundbar for movies.

But now that I'm sitting on it... would $2000 in a pair of towers give me a better experience than spending $2000 on an entire 5.1.2 system? Like the wharfedale evo4.4 or similar. And how does mixing and matching brands work down the line should I upgrade with ceilings and rears in a couple of years?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm sure I'll be back, just got young kids so have to cut my time where I would have previously liked to tinker. I built a boominator from the diyaudio forum years back and would likely be interested in building my own speaker cabinets again but for now I just want something more than a soundbar for movies.

But now that I'm sitting on it... would $2000 in a pair of towers give me a better experience than spending $2000 on an entire 5.1.2 system? Like the wharfedale evo4.4 or similar. And how does mixing and matching brands work down the line should I upgrade with ceilings and rears in a couple of years?

Personally I would do a lot more research and buy “The System” that could be your main system for the next 10-20 YR.

 

[Alex2507]

would $2000 in a pair of towers give me a better experience than spending $2000 on an entire 5.1.2 system?

yes. used. yesterday's news.