P5 - Marantz Cinema - Atmos 9.1.4 vs Auro3D 13.1 Speaker Layouts - Sound Modes 

Do I say it incorrectly? I will adapt if that is the case. -Jon

@@ripewave To me it sounds like you do. Try pronouncing auto met een R.

Thanks for that feedback- gives me encouragement to move forward

Thanks for the kind feedback. My comparisons of the formats to date has not been thorough enough to report formally. If you consider native content, the immersive effect is just as much a factor of the way the movie is mixed as the format itself. I need to find a way to separate that element and just focus on the format itself. I find myself using different decoders depending on the mix and my mood that day. I have not settled on one.decoder for all sources. Now that I have retuned the latest Denon and Marantz, I hope to send more time optimizing my long term units and comparing the sound formats more closely. There has to be a way to approach in a fair a consistent manner. Jon

@@ripewave Good point. Ya it’s definitely subjective when it comes to listening preference…whether two channel stereo; or 5/7/9.1/2/4+ surround; or quad channel like with the Doobie Brothers quad mix which we also own; or immersive using multiple heights-and finally which immersive algorithm preference using the latest 3 (and now 4 as Sony reality has entered the mix) competing upmixers. For now the customer seems to be the benefactor as the recipient being able to choose any of the formats listed above while listening. 80% of the time our fam prefers Auromatic upmixing for both music and gaming sound using 7.2.6 in an Atmos speaker configuration (6 heights). We rarely watch movies on our system so can’t comment on which we prefer. Auro 3D music listening when the source is multi channel is the sweet spot for us even though the middle heights are not used. It sounds more natural but more importantly the bass doesn’t get lost like it does with Atmos. DTS:X neural still dumps too much sound into the center channel. We just upgraded to a Vive Pro 2 from the original Vive and still prefer Auro 3D over the other upmixers …especially while playing Arizona Sunshine 2. In any event, YMMV but I’m curious as to your listening pleasures. We sure do appreciate your efforts Jon in the immersive and audio source testing arena. Keep the vids comin’ my friend. 👍🏻

Corner placement is only advised for subwoofers. Edges and corners will accentuate the low frequencies but will not present the best localization of sound for a speaker designed to provide a detail at much higher frequencies. As a staring place you may refer to the Dolby website for their guidance. There are should videos on this channel as well, but focused on two and not three rows of ceiling speakers. Dolby provides a range of angles which usually have the ceiling speakers in alignment +/- a foot or two with the front left and right speakers and rear speakers if you have them. -Jon

Yes, a 5.2.6 speaker configuration is possible - Jon

Would love to see this video

Not as independent channels. The Cinema 30 supports a maximum of 6 discrete height channels. You can have 2 front heights, two ceiling middle and two rear heights. You cannot add a second row of ceiling speakers to that configuration without giving up your front or rear height speakers. -Jon

I am giving that some thought... my top picks are different models depending on your main objectives. I am thinking about doing a video which presents the best for each use case. -Jon

​@@ripewave, I Appreciate You John, More Than You Know! My Usage Case Would Be For Home Theater Entertainment 🎥 7 Or So Speakers Size! Thanks Again! Can't Wait For That Particular Video! TAKE CARE!

Yes

Auro upmixer is better then most atmos stuff