[MrGrim999]

I currently have 5.2.2 using SVS Prime Elevations at the tops of the side walls for atmos. I will be getting the Marantz 6012 soon so that I can add some rear surrounds and maybe another pair of SVS elevations. The room is only about 12 x 12 and ceiling is completely flat and approx 8-10 high. I realize it's a small room but I love having sound come from above. I was wondering how far apart do the atmos speakers have to be from each other ? I would be using 2nd setup on this page (click on #2 on first image):

https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/7-1-4-setups.html

They would probably be like 4-6 feet apart. You guys think they would be too close together to be optimal or go for it?

 

[ALtlOff]

I currently have 5.2.2 using SVS Prime Elevations at the tops of the side walls for atmos. I will be getting the Marantz 6012 soon so that I can add some rear surrounds and maybe another pair of SVS elevations. The room is only about 12 x 12 and ceiling is completely flat and approx 8-10 high. I realize it's a small room but I love having sound come from above. I was wondering how far apart do the atmos speakers have to be from each other ? I would be using 2nd setup on this page (click on #2 on first image):

https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/7-1-4-setups.html

They would probably be like 4-6 feet apart. You guys think they would be too close together to be optimal or go for it?

In a 12x12 room I'd probably just look to do 5.2.4, as long as your surrounds are slightly behind you.
Simply add Front Heights to what you have, then after listening to that a little, experiment with moving your Surround Heights to the Rear Heights location. While there experiment with the different labeling. (FH/RH or TF/TR) simply choose which of all the setups sounds best)
Then if you like, try adding rears, but in that size room, they'd be the last thing to try.

 

[ahmedreda]

In my living room which is about 13-14 wide, I have a 5.x.2 with the 2 height channels implemented by using 4 speakers. They sound just as good and immersive as my theater room which is a 7.x.4. Disclaimer: my 4 speakers for the two top middles is a non-standard setup but I found they worked very well.

 

[sdurani]

I realize it's a small room but I love having sound come from above.

Room size isn't the determinant, seating location is. You could be in a much larger room but, if your seating is at/near the back wall, you can't do a 7.1 base layer (no space behind you for the rear speakers). Your 12x12 room can accommodate a 7.1.4 layout IF your seating is a few feet away from the back wall. This will help smoothen out the frequency response as well (fewer/smaller peaks & dips). Place one pair of surrounds at your sides or slightly forward of your listening position; place the other pair of sides around 6 feet apart on the back wall. You'll end up with side-vs-rear separation and wrap-around envelopment that you can't get with a single pair of surrounds. IF you can't ceiling mount your SVS Prime Elevation speakers, then they should be placed as high up as possible on the front and back walls.

 

[Trogdor85]

I realize it's a small room but I love having sound come from above.

Room size isn't the determinant, seating location is. You could be in a much larger room but, if your seating is at/near the back wall, you can't do a 7.1 base layer (no space behind you for the rear speakers). Your 12x12 room can accommodate a 7.1.4 layout IF your seating is a few feet away from the back wall. This will help smoothen out the frequency response as well (fewer/smaller peaks & dips). Place one pair of surrounds at your sides or slightly forward of your listening position; place the other pair of sides around 6 feet apart on the back wall. You'll end up with side-vs-rear separation and wrap-around envelopment that you can't get with a single pair of surrounds. IF you can't ceiling mount your SVS Prime Elevation speakers, then they should be placed as high up as possible on the front and back walls.

I thought side surrounds were supposed to go slightly behind the main listening position?

 

[sdurani]

I thought side surrounds were supposed to go slightly behind the main listening position?

In a 5.1 layout, the single pair of surrounds should end up at some compromise location between your sides and behind you; basically along your sides but slightly behind the main listening position (110-120 degrees from centre). In a 7.1 set-up, you have two pairs of surrounds, so one pair can be placed at your sides (or even slightly forward, for better envelopment) and the other can anchor sounds firmly behind you. Waste of resources to place all 4 surrounds behind the listening position.

 

[Trogdor85]

I thought side surrounds were supposed to go slightly behind the main listening position?

In a 5.1 layout, the single pair of surrounds should end up at some compromise location between your sides and behind you; basically along your sides but slightly behind the main listening position (110-120 degrees from centre). In a 7.1 set-up, you have two pairs of surrounds, so one pair can be placed at your sides (or even slightly forward, for better envelopment) and the other can anchor sounds firmly behind you. Waste of resources to place all 4 surrounds behind the listening position.

Good to know as I'll be setting up a 7.1.4 system in a 10x15 room soon... That'll give me some more placement options.

 

[gajCA]

Yeah, 5.1.4.

 

[MrGrim999]

Room size isn't the determinant, seating location is. You could be in a much larger room but, if your seating is at/near the back wall, you can't do a 7.1 base layer (no space behind you for the rear speakers). Your 12x12 room can accommodate a 7.1.4 layout IF your seating is a few feet away from the back wall. This will help smoothen out the frequency response as well (fewer/smaller peaks & dips). Place one pair of surrounds at your sides or slightly forward of your listening position; place the other pair of sides around 6 feet apart on the back wall. You'll end up with side-vs-rear separation and wrap-around envelopment that you can't get with a single pair of surrounds. IF you can't ceiling mount your SVS Prime Elevation speakers, then they should be placed as high up as possible on the front and back walls.

Good to know . Most of the time , my main position will be directly in middle of room so I'm sure I'll be happy with a full 7.2.4 config. I'll just have to relocate current SVS Primes.

Thanks for the replies guys!