Ready for a new immursive audio experience in your home? There is a new channel-less audio mixing process that supports up to 64 speakers. What this means, is that the same
studio mix intended for the theaters can be used by consumers in the home. The days of audio technologists making separate 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, 11.1, and theater audio mixes for each and
every movie is over. You hear the mix exactly as the director intended for the movie theater with the speaker system you already have.
Dolby ATMOS allows basic to advanced home theater enthusiasts create amazing sound fields right in the living room.
Why now? I recently upgraded to a YAMAHA RX-A3040 ATMOS receiver due to a mishap that shorted out the HDMI switcher and the On-Screen menus on my previous home theater receiver. The new
receiver requirements were for 4K support (although I only have a 2K projector) and Dolby ATMOS for the sound field.
Why 4K support? Because the existing 133" projection screen image will look even more fantastic when 4K projectors become affordable.
Why Dolby ATMOS? Because the technology solves at least three problems tormenting every budget conscience home theater user for decades:
1) Virtual ceiling speakers to truly place audio above the listener.
2) Dialogue Lift to raise audio from the center speaker to the actual projected actor higher up on the projection screen.
3) Virtual rear speakers to create sounds behind the listener.
All these audio problems can be solved by spending at least ten thousand dollars: add 2-4 ceiling speakers with back boxes and wiring, add a small room behind the projector screen, purchase an
acoustically transparent projection screen, install center, left and right dialogue speakers on custom stands behind the projection screen, and finally add wall mounted speakers behind
the primary listening positions. Oh, and don't plan on moving to a new house or apartment soon after all this construction and the bills are paid.
However if you only have $2,500 and might move in the next 10 years then thy this:
YAMAHA RX-A3040: $2,199.95 / $1,999 free shipping
DEFINITIVE
A60: $499.00 per pair / $380 free shipping
ONKYO SKH-410: $249.00 per pair / $149 free shipping
The Definitive ATMOS speaker caps have a 13" x 5.9" footprint and fit perfectly on top of existing YAMAHA front towers.
The small Onkyo ATMOS caps base is 5.9" x 4.8" and fit perfectly on the small Boston Acoustics rear surround speakers. By adding these four (4) speakers the room
officially has sound coming from the ceiling and from behind the listener.
YAMAHA includes a three dimensional multi seat audio set up kit that includes a tripod mounted microphone and a tripod mounted 4 position microphone frame for getting the height audio levels
right for each listening position. My setup is basic, but the gear will work with additional external amplifiers if some day more than 7.1.4 channels OR biamping speakers OR more zones are
required.
One pleasant effect was Dialogue Lift (not volume level) that moves the perceived dialogue source from the center speaker mounted below the fixed projection screen to the middle of
the screen. YAMAHA mixes some of the dialogue into the the ceiling speakers (adjustable) until your brain thinks the sound source is in the middle of the projection screen. Dialogue
Level is also integrated and adjustable for increasing dialogue volume over the rest of the mix as required.
Tonight is only the second evening firing up my Epson 5030 ultra black projector. Testing out the system so far is turning out to be a huge immersive improvement, since a new receiver
was required anyway, adding ATMOS was basically $600 worth of speakers, speaker wire, and a package of deadbolt banana plugs.
Write a comment
KEF + Dolby ATMOS (Wednesday, 31 December 2014 14:38)
KEF gives you two ways of reproducing Dolby Atmos soundtracks – either by installing Ci Series flush-mount speakers in the ceiling, or simpler still, adding the sensational new KEF R50 up-firing Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker module to your front and rear satellites. Either way, it’ll transform your enjoyment of film.
Robert Daniel Hague (Sunday, 04 January 2015 05:23)
Atlantic Technology ATMOS
Another "ATMOS module" option for 2015 is the 44-DA from Atlantic Technology. This module fits perfectly on top of our THX-certified 4400 LR speakers or can be placed on top of any of our speakers or in the room as stand alone elevation speakers in a complete Dolby Atmos system.