Need Help with In-Ceiling Configuration

[croosifyd]

I appreciate the guidance in advance. I recently purchased a home that had an odd (and not recommended) 6 in-ceiling speaker configuration. Granted it does have some appeal aesthetically (particularly for my wife) because of its inconspicuous design and it does fill the room with sound. My problem is that I cant convince my wife to change the speaker setup and therefore I don't know how to configure this odd setup.

I have a Marantz SR6011 9.2-Ch x 110 Watt A/V Receiver
I Upgraded the ceiling speakers with Focal 300 ICW6 (X6), 6873
I added a Focal Sub Air Flat Bass Reflex Sub w/Integrated 150W Bash Amplifier and a
Focal Aria CC900 2-Way Bass Reflex Center Channel Speaker

I don't have the Focal Center Channel speaker installed and currently have my speaker configuration as follows:
Front Left
Front Center
Front Right
Surround Left
Surround Right
Rear Center or Rear (Cant remember)
Sub, Front placement

Now that I'm adding the Focal Aria Center Channel, I'm not sure how to configure this system? Unsure if I should dedicate any of the speakers for Atmos use? Totally lost and need your help. In addition to your speaker assignment recommendations, would you help me understand how I need to set that up with my Marantz. Thank you so much

*Disclosure, these pics are from the seller. I have this furnished differently. wanted to show the ceiling setup and entertainment cabinet.

Aria Center Channel (under TV)
Front Left (Ceiling)
Front Center (Ceiling)
Front Right (Ceiling)
Surround Left (Ceiling)
Surround Right (Ceiling)
Rear Center (Ceiling)
Sub, Front placement

 

[mazersteven]

Beautiful Room!!!

 

[croosifyd]

Beautiful Room!!!

Thanks my man!

 

[mazersteven]

Here's a Question. The wood panels to the Left and Right of the TV. Is that dead space or a functioning Cabinet? My thinking is In-Walls built into the Cabinetry.

 

[croosifyd]

They are functional cabinets that we are currently using. But I think I’m going to be limited to the 6 in ceiling speakers, my center channel speaker and sub. I think any modifications from that are going to get veto’s. Haha. So trying to understand how to best configure the system I have for the best sound and functionality.

 

[mazersteven]

The only place I see were the Sub can be placed is behind the couch in the corner. Do your main in-ceilings have Amiable Drivers? You need to Aim them at the listening position if they do so that they are not just pointed Down.

 

[mazersteven]

They are functional cabinets that we are currently using. . I think any modifications from that are going to get veto’s. Haha. best sound and functionality

I know you said Veto, and I don't know what the Cabinets are currently used for. But a set of these built in would change your Home Theater Experience and Sound Quality

I'd be working hard on the Veto'r

300 IWLCR6 - 3-way in-wall loudspeaker - Focal

The 300 IWLCR6 built-in loudspeaker is made in France and dedicated to a home use. This LCR (Left, Center, Right) loudspeaker is perfect for a Home Cinema set-up with no compromises, in rooms of up to 320ft².

www.focal.com

 

[croosifyd]

The only place I see were the Sub can be placed is behind the couch in the corner. Do your main in-ceilings have Amiable Drivers? You need to Aim them at the listening position if they do so that they are not just pointed Down.

Yes the Focals have an adjustable tweeter that I have pointing into the direction of the main seating area. I have an in wall passive sub but haven’t gotten that to work. I did have the sub adjacent to the couch however moved it next to the fireplace. The focal sub is low profile donor fits. But I don’t know how to assign the ceiling speakers to a particular channel. With a center Channel speaker under the TV, perhaps front left, front right, surround left, surround right, but then what do I do, what channel do I assign the front ceiling center and the rear ceiling speaker and how does that translate to my 5.1,7.1 configuration?

 

[croosifyd]

I know you said Veto, and I don't know what the Cabinets are currently used for. But a set of these built in would change your Home Theater Experience and Sound Quality

I'd be working hard on the Veto'r

300 IWLCR6 - 3-way in-wall loudspeaker - Focal

The 300 IWLCR6 built-in loudspeaker is made in France and dedicated to a home use. This LCR (Left, Center, Right) loudspeaker is perfect for a Home Cinema set-up with no compromises, in rooms of up to 320ft².

www.focal.com

I agree that this is a game changer. I recently set up a listening room with focal aria 948s and that was supposed to be the end—at least for now—of my audio needs. Since then I purchased the Focal 300s to replace my inceiling speakers and added the sub. I just can’t squeeze anything more out of this for now. New home purchase, wedding in September and with the pandemic and how it’s impacting us I’m on thin ice. Haha.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Man, that’s a beautiful room. But I have to say. You need to have some veto power of your own. If you don’t start now, you’ll end up resentful and the marriage will be for nothing. My wife hates my gear. I have 7.3.4 in our LV complete with monkey coffins. We never agree on the system, but always find somewhere that suits us both. IMO, the room is a balance of us both. That’s how it should be. I pay the damn mortgage too!!! Lol

 

[croosifyd]

Nice set up!

Man, that’s a beautiful room. But I have to say. You need to have some veto power of your own. If you don’t start now, you’ll end up resentful and the marriage will be for nothing. My wife hates my gear. I have 7.3.4 in our LV complete with monkey coffins. We never agree on the system, but always find somewhere that suits us both. IMO, the room is a balance of us both. That’s how it should be. I pay the damn mortgage too!!! Lol

Nice setup! Yeah I totally agree and frankly she came a very very long way agreeing to spend $10K on my gear. She was content with a single klipsch bookshelf speaker. So I do appreciate how far she’s stretched to accommodate my love for audio/video. But totally get it. Do you have any recommendations for how to setup the gear I currently have?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Nice set up!

Nice setup! Yeah I totally agree and frankly she came a very very long way agreeing to spend $10K on my gear. She was content with a single klipsch bookshelf speaker. So I do appreciate how far she’s stretched to accommodate my love for audio/video. But totally get it. Do you have any recommendations for how to setup the gear I currently have?

I looked at this earlier today with the intention of coming back once I’m settled in for the day. Seems like I just can’t catch up lately...
So, fwiw I will definitely try to offer something.

 

[croosifyd]

I looked at this earlier today with the intention of coming back once I’m settled in for the day. Seems like I just can’t catch up lately...
So, fwiw I will definitely try to offer something.

I get it. I appreciate your time and guidance.

 

[mazersteven]

View attachment 38112

 

[croosifyd]

Haha. It’s the Focal Sub Air Active Bass Reflex Subwoofer

 

[mazersteven]

Haha. It’s the Focal Sub Air Active Bass Reflex Subwoofer

Ya I figured that out. In a Room that size I can't believe that thing works with any Authority.