Dolby Atmos(Upfiring) Recommendations

priasda

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Hi,
Planning to add a pair of upfiring Atmos speaker to my existing 5.1 set up(Denon 2300w, Canton movie 75). It will be in small open plan living room(ceiling height 8 ft+)
My first doubt is if these upfiring ones will make any difference at all.
Have shortlisted Elac debut m2 based on reviews and price point. Would really appreciate if someone can share their views or any other recommendations.
My other doubt is where do I place these speakers. My current speakers are small and mounted on a stand so doesn't look like I would be able to place these on top of it. Should I place these on TV bench or better to have separate stands and place them right next to the front speakers. The TV will be mounted on the wall.
IMG_20210626_102631.jpg
 
Could you mount two small cube type speakers like Cambridge Audio Minx Min12 on the wall high up and then aiming them toward listener? As you will be wall mounting tv i assume you could do this. You can hide the wires with d-lite trunking (white) either straight down or close to ceiling line horizontally toward right corner and then down cleanly. You would assign them as front heights, some prefer them more than upfiring speakers which would be hard to get optimally and would look very odd unless you would upgrade your front three. Minxes could be mounted on ceiling too which would be best as the effects would come directly where they suppose to come, but i assume that is not going to happen (wife)?









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minx12.jpg
 
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Could you mount two small cube type speakers like Cambridge Audio Minx Min12 on the wall high up and then aiming them toward listener? As you will be wall mounting tv i assume you could do this. You can hide the wires with d-lite trunking (white) either straight down or close to ceiling line horizontally toward right corner and then down cleanly. You would assign them as front heights, some prefer them more than upfiring speakers which would be hard to get optimally and would look very odd unless you would upgrade your front three. Minxes could be mounted on ceiling too which would be best as the effects would come directly where they suppose to come, but i assume that is not going to happen (wife)?









img_0240-jpg.825929


View attachment 1533549
Thanks a lot for your suggestion, I can wall mount it and I'm going to tile that wall very soon so there is an option of hiding the speaker wires behind the tiles. Ceiling mount is also an option but I'm very poor with my DIY skills and the quotes I had from few installers mean I would pay the installer more than my entire 5.1 costs. So probably is not worth given limited Atmos contents I'll have.
 
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Thanks a lot for your suggestion, I can wall mount it and I'm going to tile that wall very soon so there is an option of hiding the speaker wires behind the tiles. Ceiling mount is also an option but I'm very poor with my DIY skills and the quotes I had from few installers mean I would pay the installer more than my entire 5.1 costs. So probably is not worth given limited Atmos contents I'll have.

Perhaps ask more quotes if you meant in-ceiling speakers. Keep in mind that you can get the ceiling/height speakers working with all material by using Dolby Surround or DTS Neural:X upmixers with your Denon. So you don´t need to watch movies with atmos soundtrack only..

I have linked these often cause i think they are likely best low cost option for atmos. Kef is well known from the UniQ coaxial drivers for centuries.
 
Dali Alteco you then have the choice of wall mounting(as mine are) or using them as upfireres.
 
I like both down firing and in-ceiling options. One challenge with down firing is my wall is not 180° horizontal which means right height speaker won't be at the same distance as left one. How much difference it would make?
For in-ceiling can you please advise how precious their positioning needs to be? I'm wondering if I could replace couple of ceiling LEDs(rarely used), they are almost above the surround speakers.
Do you think it can be installed by a handyman or I will need a more specialised professional.
 

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Those tiny Minxes you can aim the 2nd one toward listeners. The Dalis linked are better but they are then bit shooting other way as the wall curves there. Also you have tiny speakers already so the Minxes should be similar.

I would still take the smaller in-ceiling speakers though as the location is much better where you want them to be and if you have +8feet ceiling that would be great too.

Here is the angles / position where the in-ceiling speakers should go in relation to listener and other speakers. Lot of members here do it themself so you just need someone who has done something similar before. I think there comes some cardboard rounded thing which you put on ceiling and draw the circle what to cut etc. Perhaps those LED places (outer ones) could work, hard to see full with picture.

 
Those tiny Minxes you can aim the 2nd one toward listeners. The Dalis linked are better but they are then bit shooting other way as the wall curves there. Also you have tiny speakers already so the Minxes should be similar.

I would still take the smaller in-ceiling speakers though as the location is much better where you want them to be and if you have +8feet ceiling that would be great too.

Here is the angles / position where the in-ceiling speakers should go in relation to listener and other speakers. Lot of members here do it themself so you just need someone who has done something similar before. I think there comes some cardboard rounded thing which you put on ceiling and draw the circle what to cut etc. Perhaps those LED places (outer ones) could work, hard to see full with picture.

Thanks a lot, I'm convinced with in-ceiling ones now. They don't cost much either. Just need to find someone who can do the installation at a reasonable price. I will try with local handyman first
 
Thanks a lot, I'm convinced with in-ceiling ones now. They don't cost much either. Just need to find someone who can do the installation at a reasonable price. I will try with local handyman first

I would use CL2 rated speaker wire just in case something happens and insurance company starts to dig around. It´s rated for in-wall/ceiling use. This is also oxygen free copper and correct thickness. 100feet roll so 50 per speaker.
Amazon product ASIN B001WHQ9C8

You need to find out do you require to use of fire hoods.
Amazon product ASIN B01N7WPL52
 
Many thanks for highlighting this, I never considered fire hoods. But looks like they are reasonably priced and I would prefer to have one for my own peace of mind.
One thing I'm not sure about is if I need prior permission from the freeholder to install this
 
Many thanks for highlighting this, I never considered fire hoods. But looks like they are reasonably priced and I would prefer to have one for my own peace of mind.
One thing I'm not sure about is if I need prior permission from the freeholder to install this

Not sure what you mean. If it´s own house then you can do what you want. For rented it would be different story. Maybe other members can comment this more.
 
Not sure what you mean. If it´s own house then you can do what you want. For rented it would be different story. Maybe other members can comment this more.
It's a new build leasehold flat which I own, but I don't own the freehold.
 
Heard these through a Rega Elex-R and they sounded the business, even preferred them to the much more expensive Kanta No.2s. Ended up getting the non-D version:
focal-chora-826-d-1.jpg
 
Perhaps ask more quotes if you meant in-ceiling speakers. Keep in mind that you can get the ceiling/height speakers working with all material by using Dolby Surround or DTS Neural:X upmixers with your Denon. So you don´t need to watch movies with atmos soundtrack only..

I have linked these often cause i think they are likely best low cost option for atmos. Kef is well known from the UniQ coaxial drivers for centuries.
What is your view on the below speaker
CS-16CSM | Klipsch. One installer advised he can do a deal on this. But this looks like much more expensive, but if the deal is good and more importantly if this is significantly better I don't mind going slightly beyond my budget. But if they are quite similar then it makes sense to go for the Kef one.
 
What is your view on the below speaker
CS-16CSM | Klipsch. One installer advised he can do a deal on this. But this looks like much more expensive, but if the deal is good and more importantly if this is significantly better I don't mind going slightly beyond my budget. But if they are quite similar then it makes sense to go for the Kef one.
That model is for stereo listening with dual tweeters and it`s some cheap model which i would pass. With Klipsch there is certain stuff to look, but they cost too much in UK. Stick with KEF. They have used coaxial UniQ drivers for decades in their speakers and they offer wide dispersion. Should be perfect for Atmos.
 
Dali Alteco you then have the choice of wall mounting(as mine are) or using them as upfireres.
+1 for the Dali's. I have (or more accurately will have) 4 of them mounted just below ceiling levels as Atmos heights.

Fantastic speakers and very versatile. They have a switch on them (under the grille) that means they can be set to either upfiring or downfiring. Can also be used as both side & rear surrounds too.
 
I have a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos setup. I'm using front and rear heights located at the ceiling wall juncture, and I have a wonderful blend of stunning sound :clap: :thumbsup:!!!! I enjoy front to rear, as well as side to side overhead sound. To be honest, I never considered upfireing speakers, because of the fact they need precise placement to get convincing sound. Some people are totally satisfied, I'm just saying it could be iffy. Front height and rear on the other hand are easy to do. YMMV.
 
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So I got a quote of £600 to install the Kef pair. Don't know if I'm wrong but sounds very exorbitant.
With the same money I can actually upgrade my front 3 or even my entire Canton 5.1 speakers.

How would Minx compare with the Kef in terms of overall effect if I mount them on ceiling? I don't mind trunking the cables and looks like I might be able to do it myself. Those mini ones don't look much obtrusive either.
Someone at RS mentioned I shouldn't expect any effect with these tiny ones, but I'm not convinced with him(he also mentioned my Denon 2300W doesn't support Atmos until I corrected him)
Would you recommend to angle the Minx pair towards MLP or should mount flat on ceiling?
 
So I got a quote of £600 to install the Kef pair. Don't know if I'm wrong but sounds very exorbitant.
With the same money I can actually upgrade my front 3 or even my entire Canton 5.1 speakers.

How would Minx compare with the Kef in terms of overall effect if I mount them on ceiling? I don't mind trunking the cables and looks like I might be able to do it myself. Those mini ones don't look much obtrusive either.
Someone at RS mentioned I shouldn't expect any effect with these tiny ones, but I'm not convinced with him(he also mentioned my Denon 2300W doesn't support Atmos until I corrected him)
Would you recommend to angle the Minx pair towards MLP or should mount flat on ceiling?

You need to buy the wall brackets i linked earlier so you can play with the angles as much as you want. 600£ sounds quite steep. Perhaps better opt for the on-ceiling then. The minxes would be fairly similar level of speakers what you have there now so all in all quite ideal route.
 
You need to buy the wall brackets i linked earlier so you can play with the angles as much as you want. 600£ sounds quite steep. Perhaps better opt for the on-ceiling then. The minxes would be fairly similar level of speakers what you have there now so all in all quite ideal route.
Yes after factoring in the installation cost turns out it will cost more than my entire set up just to mount a pair of in-ceiling speakers. Besides this will be in a flat rather than house. Minx ones look like a perfect balance between everything. Thanks a lot for the recommendation.
 
I would use CL2 rated speaker wire just in case something happens and insurance company starts to dig around. It´s rated for in-wall/ceiling use. This is also oxygen free copper and correct thickness. 100feet roll so 50 per speaker.
@Gasp3621 if you don't mind can you please recommend any other CL2 rated wire? Need around 18-20m for the pair combined. Monoprice one seems to be coming from US and has got a long wait. Around 2.5m would be above dry ceiling rest through the D-line trunking.
However if there is no decent alternative I can wait for couple of weeks.

FYI - wife changed her mind after we found a local electrician who quoted a reasonable installation cost. So purchased the KEF in-ceiling one from RS today
 
I can´t find anything cheaper or similar, they are slimmer and cost more. Ideally you would want OFC cable (Oxygen Free Copper) and CL2 rating, AWG14 for longer runs. The Monoprice really looks best option. You can try googling if you find anything similar. Quite suprising there isn´t much options..
 

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