The Dolby Atmos Issue for 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 Setups and What it Means for You! 

I’d say just do what you can with your room and speaker setup. Run the auto calibration, tweak the distance, crossover, etc. Then enjoy what you have. My setup isn’t ideal in my living room and I don’t have a spare room to accommodate it. So my surrounds are slight behind me and off to the sides. They’re pretty close to your head depending where you’re sitting on the couch. My setup isn’t how I’d like it to be but it works well for what I have.

You are always very informative,you know you stuff Channa 👍🏾

I've got the same room setup. Just upgraded from a 10 year old Pioneer 820k 5.1 to LX305. Also adding 2 height speakers to my ceiling (haven't done that yet, waiting for the weather to warm up before I cut a hole). So I'll be at 5.1.2. My rear speakers are bi-pole and are against the back wall as is my couch. Thanks for the video!

First off, your content is great, it tackles a lot of problems, others just scimp over. You go into details, without being to hairy about it. Im always looking forward for your new videos. Jeep up the good work. I have a similary setup to yours, I have a pair of bipolar speakers at the side of my listening position, on the back wall, with one side facing me, and the other away. This difuses the sound somewhat, i also use the dsp vitual 7 channel option in my Sony DN1080, I know it isnt the Best, but it helps to be more spacious sounding. I been on the Surround wagon from arround 2000, so tried some different things, but im no expert. But im at a place in the journey, where it fine enough I think 😁. My setup is a front stage including a sub from System Audio, a Danish speaker brand. And my rear and rear heights are Gale. It does the job, and make movies great, and that is the most important thing. All in all be happy with what you have.

Hi Chana.. I do have the same setup like you. I too feel that some sounds are not played exactly they are supposed to do.. Thanks for the video.. You are my man you got the exact video which no one is thinking about..

I have a 7.2 layout and Atmos sounded bad Till I got towers for the back speakers and svs ultra surrounds for the sides. Upgrading the surround speakers to big quality speakers helped allot. I noticed wit Atmos every speaker is as important as your fronts. Sounds amazing now!!

I thought in general the receiver would re-route the sounds for the missing speakers in a traditional Dolby Digital setup. So if you have a 3.1 system (no surrounds) then the receiver will re-route the audio for the surrounds to your front left and right. At least that’s how I’ve read it in the manuals of the receivers I’ve had.

I am always playing with the Atmos settings on my avr as my 2 height speakers are on my sidewall, about 6 feet up, and pointing down at my listening position. There are 2 settings on my avr that are close to what I have. Front height and mid height. Going by the graphics on my avr's settings, the mid height looks more like my setup. I dont really hear any difference between the 2 but I'm a knit picker and am always in the settings changing and tweaking things. I think when I upgrade to a 5.1.4 it will be easier to setup but that won't be for a while as a good 9 channel receiver is not in my price range right now. Also my avr is a 2017 model (1st gen atmos) and I believe newer avrs have more dynamic atmos. Your videos are awesome and I always learn something, looking forward to your next video

This was helpful for drawing attention to problem I have with back against wall, but was hopeful for simpler solution for us on a budget without pricey AVR and 5 ceiling speakers.

Many thanks for this video, it's completely changed my thought process in regards to my room setup. I've been going back and forth between the Sony HT-A9 for simplicity or proper discreet setup using an entry level kit like the Klipsch 5.1.4 kit with an AVR, but i'm in the same situation where my sofa is up against the wall, so i'm not really going to get the benefit of either system and might as well just get a soundbar to improve the general tv audio quality

I have the 7.2.2 setup and yes my surrounds are on the sides but I put my chair about a foot from the back wall. Cant put a speaker back there but it makes back surrounds a little more recessed. Im running a yamaha 2080 and when I run the test tones it puts the sound in speakers with no surround and back surround blend.Content sounds great.

Love ya T. D!! Mahalo for learning and helping us get though all this!! You are the BEST!!

Great video - great question posed too - tbh Iv been focused on the speakers in front of me, two subs and the speakers in my ceiling to try and get the best sound possible for my room because my room limits where my back surrounds go - I can’t really do anything else but upon posing the question the rear sound is most likely the weak point in many systems if it’s a case like mine with my room wall boundaries etc etc

Im so glad you are talking about this. I am getting confused, maybe you can help clarify. I have a 7.2.4 with a 12x25 room, my couch is against the back wall so I pulled it out a few feet to put rear surrounds behind the couch on stands so they clear the couch, then I put my side surrounds along the sides of the couch, then I mounted rear height speakers on the wall where it meets the ceiling for rear height speakers and in the front I have R625af towers with up-firing drivers in them for the front atmos speakers as I cant mount front heights right now in this room. So having the X3700h I dont have auro 3d. But I do have Neural X. If I am understanding you right, up-mixing certain content will use my speakers more appropriately than a standard mix in some cases. Where it is 5.1 mix for example on hulu live tv or other or DD+ for example, often it seems like my rear speakers aren't doing anything, my fronts, center and sides seem to do most of the work, unless I play a disc or a game that was mastered in 7.1. Do I have that right? What if anything can I do to use my rear surrounds more when watching bitstream/pcm/ 5.1 or DD+ content on live tv apps and other streaming services that offer those formats other than dts:x or Atmos so that I get audio in all my speakers? And why is it with some things I cannot access Neural x but with others I can. For example, when I use an app built into my tv WebOs, (I have the 77" CX) I do not get the option on my Denon for Neural X, but when I stream, through my xbx or firestick, I do get the option of using Neural x. Thank you for any help understanding this a little better.

Hi, Just found this video. I have a 12 x 12 ft. room with a window on one side(2nd floor). I really didn't want to hear back sound from the side as well. My solution? I bot a long live edge table, moved the couch forward and put them behind. It also helps the angle for the height speakers. (SVS primes). Your video helped me decide on these. Next problem. Fitting a 100 inch screen on wall the same size wall. Need room for the height speakers on the top of the wall, towers on the side and a low bureau for the UST projector. That's for next year. Thanks for your videos, keep them coming!! Dave

Great content as usual!

This is a great video I'm using the denon 760h I have 5 speakers 2 subwoff and 2 atmos speakers you just solved a problem for me....

This is a very interesting video tutorial.. I'll have to test this TrueHD upmixed to Auro3D and verify your findings good sir. Thanks for the assignment! 😊

I have a 7.1.4 with my listening position against a wall, I just mounted the rears against the wall and the sides more centred along the side, its not ideal but I like the sound I get from the Atmos mix

Thank you for this video. I appreciate the content. I have a newly setup media area. Though my sitting space isn't flush against the back wall, I face a similar limitation because I have no full rear wall to place 'back surrounds" (7.1.4). With that being said I am running a 5.1.4. My concern is should I be rethinking using object based sound and maybe switch to channel based sound as you said. I wonder if I could use my rear heights as rear surrounds instead, would my ear level soundstage be fuller? When listening to most atmos mixes, like the bird flapping winged demo, the transition from left, to behind, to right sounds decent. But I'm interested in feedback to know if I can improve it.

@technodad!! Can you run a set of smaller in or on-wall speakers directly behind the couch? That is honestly the best way to get those “point sources“ of sound back into your room. Since it’s so close to your listening position, you also don’t need the typical huge diameter drivers (just set a crossover to 150 Hz or so for those rear channels). Also in a pinch, if there is a triangle of space behind your couch, or you have the ability to move your couch six or so inches off of the wall, you can either put the speakers built into a small “console“ table top right behind the couch, or just lay them on the floor (it sounds like a terrible idea, but in reality, when only let’s say 1 to 5% of the movies sounds are coming from those surround back speakers, there’s more value in getting the sound “out“ of the system compared to it being perfectly at ear level and/or direct line of sight to your ears. Try these last two ideas with a cheap set of throwaway speakers you may have around the house and see how you like it!! (You can use anything like and old set of Bose cube speakers, gallo acoustics micro, or elipson 4” models) Very interested to hear how this works out if you try it!! Cheers -J

Not sure how I didn't see this channel before, great video !

I'm just now beginning my Atmos upgrade. I've been enjoying Dolby Digital & DTS since 2001. I'm a budget guy but have always been able to get good sound. The first thing I have noticed about the new surround sound is: I seem to enjoy the older stuff better & I don't like the up-mix. I prefer to turn on Pure Direct. It seems like we have added more speakers while, at the same time, tamped down all surround effects. I just can't seem to find great surround mixes anymore. The Flaming Lips put out 3 albums in 5.1 & Talking Heads released all 8 of their albums in 5.1 (these were all released during the gen 1). I still haven't heard anything since then that even comes close to what was achieved on these mixes. Especially The Flaming Lips albums. The worst part is, you just can't get these albums anymore. I'm lucky to own them. I think the next upgrade needs to be something in the way of programming our own surround mixes. If I could separate the tracks & place them where I want, I think I could make everything sound that good. We should just eliminate the need for surround mix engineering by creating a processor that can allow for this kind of customization. As it stands, surround sound isn't getting better, it's getting more watered down. Just like everything else.

I have not watched last weeks video. I'm still using RX-583 Yamaha ran 7.2 for 1st year or so, went to 5.2.2 and really enjoy it. My surround backs still in place. Looking to get 9.2 AVR for 7.2.2 setup before adding power amp and front hights in the future.

Cool stuff, definitely learned a lot. I’m on the Atmos 5.1.2 and recognize the issue with my couch against the wall… only comments I get: to bad, maybe you should change your livingroom… So now I will ivestigate the Auro 3D upmixing route… starts with a receiver like a X4700 and extra heightspeakers?

Hey Channah, I'm running a 5.2.4 system as well and this is what I did for my rears and I think it's worked out very well. I use bi-pole speakers placed in the corners of the room I sit slightly ahead of them at 110 degree angle and the wash sound down the front and side walls, the sound from the rears sounds like it's coming from 4 speakers, (technically correct) but you know what I mean.

According to your thorough explanation regarding the object based, personally, I have got the same room setup where I had to sit against the rear wall, I have got 5.1.2. setup. I remember somewhere Audioholics explained with the guy that mixed the ELP albums, CMIIW, that since the era of Front Height Channel, the object mixes would be put utilizing some coordinate between the centre and main front : then I put my height Channel at the front wall, facing to MLP, somewhere between Centre and Main Speakers, slightly above the screen. For the surround, I’d put it closer to the side walls (compared to the positions of the front mains) angled them to the centre of the room, somewhere above or below the position of the front height speakers (according how the ceiling can accommodate them), then put one or two 3D Diffuser panels at the rear, somewhere higher than the ear level and between the surround positions, plus one or two 2D Diffuser panels on each sidewalls between the main and surround channel of that sides, right after some absorption panel at the first reflecting zone of the main channel that affect the MLP on that wall. Cheers

I been in the home theater hobby since 2000 with my first Sony receiver and yes, we are always learning.I been 2 years with a Denon receiver and I recently discover that changing from "Front Height" to " Top Middle" I can now listen to the info from " front Height" and " rear Height" downmix to the speakers.Another thing, can you test The heights channels in your new Pioneer receiver with any of the dsp modes like Action etc?

I have a really similar set up to you, currently 5.1 but I’m going to add two higher Channels when I can. My opinion is my set up sounds AMAZING I’m sure others sound better than mine but when I sit down and watch a movie I just enjoy it! As for sounds coming from “the wrong place” I’d far rather hear those sound effects in the wrong place than not hear them at all

Another great video. Wanted to support with a comment

Well I'm using the Sony str dn 1080 with my rear speakers to the sides but I'm also using the phantom back channels and it works a treat. It is set up in a 7.1.2 config and you really can hear things directly behind you. I tried it with startrek into darkness when the enterprise comes out of the water it sounds like it's right behind you then lifts out and flies up into the height channels then the front. Great processing from the amp

I also have my 5.1.4 setup in living room without the sofa against the walls. My living room is not a single room so it branches out to the dinning room, kitchen and living entry room. My side surrounds are behind my sofa angled at me in center. The sound setup seems to be correct hopefully. I don't think we all need to take speaker setups seriously because sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make it work in limited room in homes. Most average joes will not spend more than 5k-10k on home theater setup in their living room. I think you already have a great setup and thanks for letting us know how to make it sound better. For 7.1.4 setup I do want rear surrounds but that is 2ft behind my head so is that bad?

So, interesting Video and wanted to chip in as well. I've not been into home theater since '94, but have been in it since 98'. So started with Dolby pro logic ( VHS tapes) then we got DD 5.1 which was discreet channel based 5.1, so whether you had your rears to the back or to the sides ( I had them to the sides then as I had no space behind me; it was a bedroom) sound would play through them obviously regardless of placement of the surrounds. Then we got DD EX & DTS ES. those formats introduced 6.1 however the signal for the sixth speaker ( which was supposed to be a rear center speaker so placed dead center behind you ) was matrixed into the 5.1 mix, so a capable EX/ES decoder would send the matrixed information to that sixth speaker where applicable. Then the 7.1 Receivers became a thing, but they were still decoding 5.1 with or without matrix for the sixth channel, however like with Dolby Pro logic, the 2 back rears would be mono, not stereo. Since it is harder to hear sounds straight behind you but easier if they are a bit to the sides behind you, this was considered to be an upgrade. I had one of those 7.1 SR9600 Marantz receivers which was a monster in its heydays. The 2 Monaural channels behind you would not be used if there was no info matrixed in for Dolby Digital EX. However for DTS you had DTS ES Matrix but also DTS ES Discrete !. So DTS ES discrete 6.1 was by far the best sounding format due to the highest bit rate. Enter Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master audio, now most AV receivers had still 7.1 and now we also had 7.1 discrete channels for both Dolby & DTS if you had an AVR that could decode both formats. Now with Atmos and DTS-X you have more channels than people can decode at home and they are object based. so if a specific sound is supposed to be heard in a specific spot your Atmos/DTS-X avr should be using all the available speakers to help place that sound in that Spot, while trying to keep things natural, so no rear sounds blasting from your fronts. Obviously having speakers set up in the ideal pattern will make it easier for your AVR to put those sounds in that spot, but if you've used some room correction system to calibrate your room, your "rears" should be working in whichever way they can to place those sounds in your room. So if you have them more to the side you will obviously hear sounds coming more from the side, but I do not think information meant for your rears will be lost just because you are running 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 and have your rears to the sides. There are still 5.1 systems sold which use Di- or Bi-pole solutions and those are actually meant to be placed to your sides, using room reflection to create a more spacious experience, however they would be far less suited for discrete channels/Object based formats. In closing, I see no reason why you would need to use an Auro3d upmixer to get sounds meant for your rears ( not back rears) to play to your rears if they are on your side. Sounds should be coming from your side placed rears regardless. As Atmos & DTS X scale to accommodate your speaker layout by default. Now if that sounds natural to you or if it is in fashion with the artistic intent is another thing altogether. But the way it was explained in the video made it seem that if you have your rears to your sides, you would lose info meant for your rears and they would not play at all.

I have the same setup as you with not being able to have the surrounds really behind me. And when I made the setup I really tried to get the speakers behind me but in the end it was impossible. But sure I have experienced the limitation in some movies but as a compromise I think it works pretty well anyway.

Always good videos bro

dude ive learned so much from your videos so i wanted to thank you. this one specifically though has helped me the most i think. im upgrading and going back to a receiver based set up from a soundbar. soundbars just do not provide a real theater experience. that being said my setup already has ceiling speakers installed that i want to utilize and obviously i want an atmos set up to get the most out of them. im looking at a min. 5.1.4 setup.... in the future - maybe just a 5.1.2 setup immediately. but YES your information is really alarming. that information makes it seem like the return on a minimal atmos set up is NOT worth the effort at all which sucks. honestly i feel that all releases need a better atmos mix that should be based on a minimal atmos set up of 7 speakers otherwise youre not really playing the game. anyway - thanks again for your work and reporting. id rate the video a 10/10 but im giving you a bonus point for the epic shirt. 11/10.

Be aware: if you watch the activity through f.ex. Trinnovs spatializer graphics, a lot of discs with Atmos actually have objects more or less locked to the channel locations...esp. Disney f.ex. are horrible with this. So, there is a lot of difference from the thinking that went into the Atmos spec and the end implemation of it in equipment and studio mixes. Together with some studios are also locking the mix to 7.1.4. My 2 cents: I would rather have 7.1 instead of .2 overhead whisper tracks...the amount of activity on the ceiling are very miniscule in most movies. The ones with decent Atmos usage are rare.

Hello Techno Dad, that was an amazing video. I learn a lot, thank you for that. I have a 5.2 home theater Klipsch + Denon X3700h and speakers positions are exactly like yours - the couch is butt up against the wall, and my surround speakers are flanking me. There is no other way. But I intend to get 2 ceiling speakers for atmos. And there will be 5.2.2 I just learn from you that sounds that come from surround back speakers now I will hear from my surround speakers. And also the sound from 4 atmos speakers (by default) now I will hear from 2. But I want so bad to have atmos so I can live with that. As I said there is no other war, I can't change the room or my flat ...

I smell what you’re cooking Channa… I have learned so much from watching the past two videos that you did on this subject and reading these comment sections. This is awesome, LOVE your work my friend… BOOM!!

So much great information! ...Now I have to go and think... ...Thanks!

I have an open ended cube of about 10 feet or so. If it's not against a wall, it doesn't fit. I went with OHMs up front since they are compatiable with wall settings. I used Mirage Nanostats since they are both tiny and omni-directional for the assorted available placements. Placement is everything when you are in a box. I admire those who can take a speaker and place it correctly. Far away from walls and in an 'infinite' spatial zone.

Thank for addressing this issue, i am struggling to get my back channels behind me, i have room for them above ear heights, any suggestion on this issue, since they are not to the side but instead up, im thinking the will project sound to front wall and then reflect so they are to be considered delayed fronts, which must be terrible. Will try auro 3d when i get new reciever

Great video Techno Dad as always! Thank you!!!

I have a 5.2.4 system with my main listening position up against the wall and rear surround on the side as you described. I always suspected that this was happening… But there are no solutions for my current setup so I deal. Sadly the x3600h doesn’t do Auro 3D do compensate.

Star Trek 'Into The Darkness' intro, is the only 4K-UHD ATMOS Disc that I use to calibrate all of the Dolby Atmos home theater systems that I install as it has the Best Mix of Treble, Surround, Height, and Bass sounds.

So I just saw this video for the first time and I have to say, there is another thing that happens in channel based set ups to simulate sound from a certain space in your area, and it’s to emit a certain amount of sound out of two speakers in space to try and make it sound like it’s coming from in between them, this can happen a lot with only having 5.1 and the sounds you need from behind, I used to have only 5.1 and even with them places not behind me but beside me, the processor would use the amount of sound pumped from them at the same time to simulate sound from behind, of course it’s not AS accurate as having the surround back speakers but I have had it seem like it was behind me through that technique

Whenever I want to hear sound coming from all speakers. My current set up is 7.2.4n I just set my X4700h to multi channel stereo lol. When my Apple tv4k movies come in Atmos my Denon switches. Sometimes I chose Multichannel Stereo over Dolby.

I.ve got a Denon Atmos AVR, and will try Aural 3D-thanks for the tip, because I live in a tight space(apartment) and even then may disconnect the subby out of consideration of my neighbours

Great follow up video, just a thought Would adding two speakers up above the Side surrounds angling down towards the main listening position assigned as the rear surrounds maybe make up for that effect? Even maybe have them angled downward slightly toed in towards the wall to reflect to the back of your head? And then the two Atmos speakers above in front of the main listening position assigned as atmos or height give you the correct sound? Just a thought!

Thank you for the follow up video. Where did you get that Atmos demo disc?

Hey loved the video, what demo disk did you get?

You spoiled my plans for 7.4.4 Channa, now I’ll have to “settle” on 5.4.4 :) Thanks for the great info!

I bought two speakers of brand DynaVoice, the Magic FX4,:to extend my system to a 7.1 system, even when I have a wall behind my sofa. Those speakers are angled. So what I did is put a shelve of 20cm wide behind the sofa and put the speakers on that firing towards THE WALL. Yes, I use the wall the add dispersion to that sound so you can locate them less. The trick is to choose the right height of the shelve (basic geometry) and voila, you have a 7.1 system. Now, a tricky part is the DSP of your avr. Old DSPs are slow, so they can't handle well speakers with a very short distance (remember distance is just a relative delay between the speakers). More modern avrs can handle 30cm or more, but old avr may have a minimum distance of 100cm. In the later case you need to add manually a delay to each speaker (a delta) to again a correct relative distance. Just be careful with subs if they are directly connected to your front speakers (not via sub out) than this doesn't work. Via sub out it is no problem.

Techno dad I’m in the same viewing situation as you. My couch is up against the back wall due to room size and functionality constraints. After watching this though I’ve been pondering a way to incorporate a rear surround channel(s). I could at most move my seating row off the wall by 6”. What your opinion on placing a couple smaller speakers mounted on my rear wall just above headrests angled down slightly? Is this still too close? What are my options Thanks

I have a system 5.1.2 atmos and I have hooked up my rear speakers to the terminals labeled on avr "Surround" L and R on the back of it . and tow speaker on high roof for atmos , 2 speaker front 1 center 2 speaker surround rear my seat 2 speaker top middle high My question is that there are also terminals on avr for a "Surround Back" L and R as well. Do I have my speakers hooked up to the right terminals (or should I hook them up to the "Surround Back" terminals)? Which is better to deliver on the receiver surround or surround back / if you have tow speaker only for surrounded

Hi MASTER : Thanks for all you video , I have Denon AVR -X 2400 I am very happy when this receiver . This is my question ….. tho receiver work w/ 8 K tv? Thanks

I was not aware of alot of this when I wired my 5.1.2. I've been learning from your last 2 vids. Although similar setup to yours, mu couchbis against a half wall with another half of a room behind. No place for war level rears, but curious about trying angled in ceiling just tor rears

I used to test my system using games like Skyrim and I would move my character around to see how the sound was playing - may not be consistent for all input sources but it helped me see how things sound behind me with a 5.2.4 setup

I also had this problem with my surround rear speakers at my old home where the rear speakers had to be placed on each side of the couch for my wife would not allow me to hang them on the wall so what I did was face each speaker towards the wall so that the audio would bounce of the wall and adjusted the surround settings until it sound good enough. It wasn't perfect but it did work better than hearing the rears on the side of your ear.

Would you cover using headphones for Dolby Atmos? I find many for gaming but little mention of the best headphones for listening to movies and music. I have tried high-end Bose and Sony and hear the Atmos effect but wondering if I am missing the best true atmos effect.

Sony receives/processes have an option to create "virtual" speakers and move them to proper place, after calibration, for not ideal 5.1.2 systems. DTS-X also can upmix bad mixes.

Hi, thanks for the video. I need some help. I also have a 5.1.4 speakerset ( with the 4 ceilingspeakers) and my couch is also against the wall. Could you show me how did you set up ( small drawing) your room with the positioning of the speakers. I have the same problem with my surroundspeakers standing next to the couch on earhights. Problem is my positioning of the 4 heightspeakers. Thanks

Am I really missing out not having atmos in my 7.1 system. Do the over head channels really make a big difference. Cost wise. Thx for your informative videos.

Great info What your thoughts on connecting side surrounds from the av receiver but placing them in the back surround position

I used dipole speakers positioned next to the couch firing back off the wall ’behind’ the seating position to give an approximation of rear speakers. Worked well enough tbh.

I'm setting up a new HT setup and I'm deciding between aura 3D and Dolby Atmos setup. Which would you recommend and why? And is today's AVR upmixing to Aura 3D convincing? Thanks

Interesting topic. I have a maranta 6014 but running only a 5.1 setup. My room has limitations to have back surrounds as my couch is butt up the wall and I can’t place atmos speakers on the ceiling although Can have heights on the wall. I am looking to have at least a 5.1.2 setup so can get a basic atmos system setup, does it makes sense to have two atmos heights in front , will it make my setup better or it’s jus not going to cut it? What’s your suggestion and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks

Great topic I’m finding out the struggles now with a open loft and speakers on my neck . Yep everyone on the tube is a home theater savant who don’t have a channel or do this for a living . Let the idiots talk that’s how they get through the day and face life . The info you put out for free is invaluable for us who can’t afford sound engineers and home theater designers . Thanks Channa.

I have the denon 4700 with the same setup as you except for the god channel, the auro 3d is the best thing about it , the surround bubble is better in that format , I also run run the Bose Ls 650 next to it and I have to say it’s neck to neck the performance , for imperfect rooms I believe the 360 firing speakers is the way to go for a good surround bubble . Now I have to pick which system I keep in the room and which goes in the guest room .

I’ll try some of your techniques. I have a similar set up.

Howdy again. My livingroom isn't very big. I have the 512 dolby atmos setup via a Denon. My sound is a great upgrade from my previous system. I want to make it a 514, but I'd need to upgrade my avr. You made me think of the 514 set up from your last week video. Lol. But I just got my 512 set up dialed in. My back speakers are left and right of my main viewing area not behind. I don't have problems with this. When I play my Xbox 1x, those back speakers are behind me. When I play COD BOP4, hearing the sound from behind me as I get wiped out is great. I will eventually go to a 514 system. But until then, my 512 set up sounds pretty good. 1994? I got out of the Navy in April 1994. Seems forever ago. I'm a new sub now. Look forward to your next video. Peace ✌ out.

Thanks! Have 5.1.2 with Yamaha AVR that has virtual surround back mode. Does that help with producing surround back content?

Where did you get "the dude" wall art? I've been searching and searching but I cannot find that print. Keep up the great work/videos, I've learned a great deal about Dolby Atmos from you!

Would spacing your couch about 4-5"s from the wall and acquiring a pair of low profile design full range speakers (possibly like a pair of center channel type speakers) and build some stands and mount facing vertical? Firing out from behind the couch? Just an idea that came to mind. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I am in the same boat, I have a small space, couch against a wall, and no other option for a different arrangement. I have an old 90s Dolby ProLogic2 reciever that is on its way out, and a 5.1 Bose speaker setup... It has been OK for movies, but definitely could be better, and it sounds pretty rubbish for music. I've been looking to get a new AVR and then some different speakers for over a year now, amd am trying to decide if I should even try for 7.x.x , or 5.x.x, or just go with a better 5.1 setup. I may start with just 5.1, with a modern AVR, and then test out some rear height speakers, or armor speakers on the ceiling , and see if it is worth the upgrade to 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 ... I might buy a 9 or 11 channel unit ,for other features, as I want a zone 2 for outdoor speakers, a second HDMI out for a second screen for times like when we have people over for football or other such occasions... I wish there was an easier way to figure out what is best in my space before just buying things...anything modern will be an upgrade though. Thanks for what u do trying to help us all learn and make good purchases. Cheers.

Greetings! I know this is an old video, but it just popped up in my feed. Not sure of your exact speaker placement restrictions, but would it be possible to aim those side surrounds at your back wall so the sound actually does come from behind the listening position, reflecting off the rear wall? If you have a sheetrock or smooth plaster rear wall behind the couch, reflecting sound off the rear wall should work pretty well. For pretty much all surround formats, if you have five ear level surround speakers, the surround speaker should be placed behind the listening position. If you listen to 7.1 channel native content (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD Master Audio), the rear and side surrounds are folded into the surround channels with the assumption that the speakers are behind the listening position. If you don't have a wall directly behind your couch (like if it's an open concept floor plan with another living space behind the couch), then another option might be putting the rear speakers on the ceiling on brackets (behind the couch) pointed directly at the listening position, but I don't know how comfortable you are with snaking more cables. As long as they're lower than your height channels and are pointed directly at the main listening position, this can also work pretty well. Your idea of switching from an actual immersive soundtrack to a non-immersive track like DTS HD MA or Dolby TrueHD and using Auro for upmixing might seem like a good idea. And it may actually sound fine on some content. But you won't be getting the actual sounds that have been mixed for the height channels in the height speakers in Dolby Atmos, Auro 3D, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced or 360 Reality Audio. All of the object based surround formats (DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio, MPEG-H, IMAX) store sounds as objects with meta data used to define the sound's 3D position and motion through space. At playback time, the receiver or processor maps these sound objects into the specific channel configuration of your speakers so it can place all of these 3D sound objects in the appropriate locations in the room. This is how a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X mix can sound pretty good in 5.1.2, while sounding even better in 7.1.4. The extra speaker channels give the receiver more placement specificity - more precision in the 3D mapping of the sounds. If you opt to use a non-immersive format like Dolby TrueHD instead, the receiver has no positioning meta data, so it has no idea that a helicopter (for example) was supposed to take off from the front, and fly overhead disappearing in the rear. Or that rain is supposed to actually fall from above the listening position. Or that the harmony/chorus vocals in Bohemian Rhapsody are supposed to come from the top right and left corners of the room. All of that height positioning information is lost. You can take that 2 dimensional non-immersive surround sound track and "upmix it" in DTS Neural:X, Dolby Surround or the Auro upmixer, in order to create sound from above, but this isn't actually restoring the height information. The processor is *guessing* which sounds should be placed into the height channels. It's a little like taking a CD, ripping it to 128K MP3, and then "restoring" it to a 44.1KHz/16 bit FLAC file. Technically, you have a 44.1K/16 bit digital file as the end product, but the information that was lost in compression is lost, and can't be recovered. When you opt to use a channel-based 2D surround sound format like Dolby TrueHD instead of a Dolby Atmos mix of the same content, you've lost the actual 3D positioning of sounds and that isn't something that can be recovered or accurately simulated. Hope this makes sense and I hope you've found a speaker configuration that works for you. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks if you like how your system sounds to you.

As many others have commented, 7.1 content will down mix to 5.1 with NO loss of content. This incidentally is why 5.1 surround speaker placement is about 110deg i.e roughly split the difference between sides and backs in a 7.1 setup. If you are experiencing channel loss, you perhaps have in the speaker setup of your AVR, forgotten to set ‘off’ or whatever your AVR terminology is for having no speakers in the surround back position.

I’ve got a Marantz receiver in an L shaped room open to the dining room. The system allows for 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos, but I can’t put speakers in the ceiling. The sitting area is approximately in the room center. In the rear of the room the speakers all up high above cabinets. 2 subs left and right on the floor. The others at head height. Should I be moving or replacing speakers? Changing the sound settings?

Wow, this is a game changer for me. I had always assumed that the surround processor would take placement of the rear speakers into account. I mean, how many people have the option of putting rear speakers far behind them? I'm literally on the verge of buying my first HT system ever, with a budget of around $7.5k. I've had a set of Elac Debut 6.2's boxed up my basement for almost a year waiting to go up front, along with some Fluance dipoles for the sides. My viewing room is small, 15' x 13', with a couch on one end and the TV on the other. There's no way I can move the couch into the middle of the room. And on top of that, because of specific needs and after two years of trying to find an alternative, I am looking at a very expensive BDI AV cabinet. My plan was to start with 5.1 and eventually add front height speakers for a 5.1.2 system. I decided on the Onkyo TX-NR7100 for a receiver because of the reviews but mostly because it has DIRAC. But if what you're saying is true about object vs channel-based surround, it would be pointless to buy that receiver. Is there no option to have the receiver take into account that you are against a wall and that the surrounds are only on the sides? I'm seriously considering trashing my plans, selling the Elacs and going with a soundbar.

Would be amazing if they mixed for L C and R sub channels. Put one left rear and right of seating position. Never thought about this before.. would be insane. Or just mix for L and R and mix the channels if needed for panning

you would think by now that AVRs would implement some sort of speaker layout configuration where you can tell the receiver where exactly are your speakers placed so that the sound is mixed accordingly.

I am adding two in ceiling speakers soon along with an Anthem AVR. In my current 5.1 I do not really feel I am missing anything, other than sound from the ceiling. I am ok with a 5.1.2 set up. The room is just too small otherwise.

So i do have a 5.1.2 setup. I don’t have the best room for this, i live in a single wide trailer so my living room shares with my kitchen, but i have my atmos speakers above my tv fireing out like the wall of sound and i like it alot like that and my rear surround are put up on the wall at 7feet in the air i have 8 foot ceilings and there put as if they were flanking my left and right, and i use the klipsch 500sa and from how i can hear it. Thos do a pretty good placement wise that i feel like i would hear objects coming from behind me to the front. I don’t want them too far back because then it would be fireing on the kitchen and I don’t need that. But it’s the best placement i have to get the best surround sound experience at home. Just my thoughts and experience on this and I’m hoping i can get a bigger place soon to correct this and add further channels to the setup.

So true my home theater system is in my living room so it is an issue that I have noticed I just live with it

Can you use in wall speakers in the wall behind your head as you back speakers?

@technodad one question I have which I can’t find anything online to help with answering. For my surround speakers front side and rear I have different speakers some with only 2 way and some with 3 way. Which would benefit more the front surrounds, surround rear or surround back.. which will benefit from the 3 way and which is better for the 2 way ?

Coming from someone who is just looking to buy something to get me started, can I say this is one of the most easiest videos I've seen in about 6 months of looking on RU-vid. I'M exactly in the same position as you. I can't put anything behind me. Our seating is right up against the wall. You need to make more videos on this very topic and advising what works best. Let's be honest here not many people have the ideal situation as a cinema layout. We have to compromise that is why in 6 months of watching so many different reviews opinions ect I still haven't bought a Dolby Atmos system. My budget is not very large maybe €1.500 and the Euro is about the same as the USD so I'm going to buy something that's value for money. I bet 95 percent if not 99 percent of people who are installing home sound systems are making very big mistakes. It's not until you listen to a friend's system you then realize man I'd love something like his are hers. Great information thank you man

First off I love the content, always have. I'm literally in the exact same conflict right now. My couch is against the wall and I have a 5.2.2 system. My Atmos are in ceiling and I was wondering if I should put two more Atmos on the back wall pointing down kind of similar to yours. Did that make a difference?

Which of these multi channel technologies do the best job with music? If you can answer, could you include Yamaha Presence as a comparison. I would love a video on this topic if possible. Last time I invested in surround was a couple years ago, and for t=me the sweet spot was DSX Wide. I went with an Onkyp 3007 and 9.2, I'm still pretty happy with it, but I'm not sure how much life the Onkyo has left in it. I think High end Denon is the spiritual successor here, but I'm willing to experiment elsewhere. New Sony, Yamaha etc.

Hi on the initial setup there are certain speaker layouts, it’s pretty plain to follow if it’s a 5.1.4 there are no sides , so if your surround speaker are either side of you and not behind you that’s your issue and that’s not the proper setup , it’s quite simple if you can’t put the speakers in the right place it’s obvious the sound isn’t going to be coming from there 🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🤷‍♂️

Awesome videos! I was always under the impression that if you don't have enough speakers on what the channel-based mix entails, then the AVR or processor would just downmix to your current speaker configuration. For example, if I'm watching a 7.1 True-HD Mix, and I only have a 3.1 system, then I was under the assumption that the Denon/Marantz AVR would just take the surround and back channel information and downmix them it to the 3.1 system. Therefore, I wouldn't be losing any audio information, I just wouldn't be hearing it from the correct locations they were intended to be heard from. Am I correct here or do I actually lose the sound information completely?

Hmm, well I am planing on placing a home theater, in my basement, with a Denon AVR, that supports hdmi 2.1, or whatever the next iteration of hdmi standard is, depending on when I actually get everything done. Which I hope to have done by this May. But who knows, at this moment. But I want to have the best future proofed set up, but I don’t know what exactly that means, at the present moment…. I should also just state that I am coming from a Samsung soundbar, which I really don’t think works, since I only hear sound coming from in front of me, never mind the 7-9 other speakers that according to Samsung sound should be coming from, including the heights… of course I don’t have a room set up, either for that to properly work, at least until I get my home theater ready to go. Which I will be hopefully doing in a 11.1 (or 2…) .7 Atmos-auro-3D set up, though it will depend on what kind of avr’s are released this year, as well. Which i haven’t even looked into yet…

I have 5. 1. 4 mine are limited as well, as my Lounge is up against the wall and I have my Atmos speakers mounted high on the wall pointing down at rear and front tilted down , using A laser pointer to aim the speakers, but I never Hear from the Atmos front speakers even turned up all the way or even with Auro 3-d

I have 6.2.2, sofa on back wall, and single rear speakr in bay window area. It sounds like it should with surrounds at 6ft. I often think about having side surround speakers at ear level, and side height speakers, but it's hard to justify. Dispite what I have heard about a single rear speaker, I think it works well if it's your only rear channel option. If I didn't have the bay window, I wouldn't hesitate to install an in-wall speaker in that location. It's rare in movies to have much sound coming from behind, but there is an abience that helps create a more 3D immage within the surround, and real field. Things like cars passing, and bullets wizzing by have a more realistic spacial since.

Looking to pair the klipsch reference cinema system 5.1.4 dolby atmos with the Denon AVR-S760H 7.2-Channel Home Theater AV Receiver 8K Video Ultra HD 4K/120 that supports Dolby atmos will I be good to go with Dolby Atmos with the speakers ?

I have a question regarding atmos speaker placement. Does it matter if you choose front heights vs top heights? The reason I ask is because on my RZ50 I have height 2 speakers at top middle but for height 1 it won’t allow me to select top front aka ceiling speaker it only allows for front high. Does it really matter I have set up for front high even though they are actually top front ceiling speakers?

I have the exact setup You are referring to in this video..exactly! Coach on back wall. Surrounds pointing directly at me from both sides. I have a 5.2.2 setup in a very small room that isn’t even close to Square.I also have my height speakers slightly behind us maybe a foot..and my avr doesn’t have a setup for back atmos..(not sure if that affects the Atmos sound or not)so I have them setup as top middle height..but it is what it is..really don’t know where am going here..lol. But that’s all some of us can do. Peace and thanks! Joe l

I just purchased a Denon x4800h and looking at ditching my 7.1 setup because really the room layout for it is horrible. Would a 5.1.4 better solution with Auro 3D? Proper rear speakers is a no go and would have a better layout with them to the sides. I have 20' ceilings and would put the height channels towards the top of the wall.

Does the distance between the Atmos overhead speakers can be 4.5ft or needs to be more? I really don't have too much space if I follow this recomendations. Please let me know. Thanks.

This is interesting. I kind of wonder if Atmos gaming audio is different. I have a 5.2.2 setup in my office with the surrounds flanking. When playing Forza Horizon 5 I can clearly hear cars behind me from the side surrounds, including being able to determine which side I'm being passed on as the volume of the car increases on either side as it passes. Regardless, I do not have the ability to place the speakers behind me, so this is the Atmos I get, so it'll have to do. Thankfully, it sounds pretty great to my ears.