Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here
Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Surround and atmos speakers

1745 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by wrathek, Jun 24, 2021

lifeisbeautiful

Discussion Starter · Jun 23, 2021

Hi folks-
I've a pretty good 3.1 setup with Salk LCR and PowerSound audio Sub. I'm pairing them with an Anthem MRX 720 in my living room/media room with a projector. I'm thinking of making this a 5.1.2 setup by adding 2 surround speakers and 2 Atmos ceiling speakers.
I can mount my surround speakers only just behind me as I don't have side walls on one side. And these will be wall mounted at 8'. So, I need something that faces down. For the ATMOS ceiling speakers, I cannot install in-ceiling speakers. So, they need to be mounted. They need to be as discreet as possible. But, I guess these speakers don't handle much load.
Any recommendations? Thanks!

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Snausy

· #2 · Jun 23, 2021

I really like my ascend acoustics HTM200SE speakers for surround and atmos. They are pretty small but with two 4-in drivers they pack a punch. Found some nice ceiling mounts where you can point them anywhere you want.

A lot of people are pretty worried about putting big black speakers on their ceiling but they actually look pretty darn good and my wife seems to think so as well. They sound fantastic.

Please excuse the mess I have a 10-year-old.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

tokerblue

· #3 · Jun 23, 2021

Another Ascend HTM-200 owner here that uses them for heights.

I mounted my Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 with the Pinpoint AB-100 ceiling mounts. A quick Google search didn't show them available anywhere, but it looks like Monoprice makes similar ones. I'm not sure if the speaker mount holes match the HTM-200 exactly, but you could always dremel away some material from the mount to get the screw to fit.

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Adjustable-Capacity-Speaker-Brackets/dp/B004C4XN86/ref=sr_1_19?dchild=1&keywords=ceiling+speaker+mount&qid=1609716686&s=electronics&sr=1-19

This is what the install looks like.

View attachment 3074584

View attachment 3074585

Save

Kini62

· #4 · Jun 23, 2021

I'm sure the Ascends mentioned are very good speakers for the money the installation shown is hardly discreet. I use a pair of Cambridge Minx about a 4 inch cube for my 2 Atmos speakers. They work great. It would probably be better with a larger speaker that has more range but I've been impressed with the Minx for this application.

Save

wrathek

· #5 · Jun 23, 2021

The Polk OWM3 (or 5, if that's your thing) seem to be pretty clean/discrete. They also come in white. Here's 2 examples:

Furniture Television Interior design Lighting Floor

Brown Property Couch Wood Interior design

There's also the SVS Prime Elevations - Prime Elevation which IMO look pretty great and are super versatile due to the mount they come with.

See less See more

Save

RayGuy

· #6 · Jun 23, 2021 (Edited)

The Cambridge Minx Min are about as discrete as you can get and still have reasonable sound. If you need more bass response (Mins cross over at 150Hz for the 12 and 120 for the 22, so your sub needs good output to about 200Hz), you will need a larger speaker. Here are a few options:

RSL CG3 (while you are there, also look at the Outsider II for a different approach to the issue)
Starke Lumi
Paradigm MilleniaOne (If you listen at high volumes, these may be your best choice)
PSB Alpha P3
Monitor Audio Radius 90
Focal Dome Flax ($)
Q Acoustics 7000i

If you have white walls, these larger speakers (in white) will blend in with the decor easily.

Save

sigpig

· #7 · Jun 23, 2021

While I would also advocate to bookshelf speakers, a lot of people use the SVS Prime Elevation speakers for Atmos - especially since they can be mounted at the top of the wall or from the ceiling.
If you get an inexpensive 2-channel amp (mine cost $115), then you can do a full 5.1.4 setup. The extra pair of Atmos speakers really make a big difference.

Save

Snausy

· #8 · Jun 24, 2021

I value sound over being "discrete"....4" cubes wouldn't cut it for me.

Good luck!

Save

Billy p

· #9 · Jun 24, 2021

Recently brought to light try using outdoor speakers they come with hardware and make for easy installation.

Save

lifeisbeautiful

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 24, 2021

sigpig said:
While I would also advocate to bookshelf speakers, a lot of people use the SVS Prime Elevation speakers for Atmos - especially since they can be mounted at the top of the wall or from the ceiling.
If you get an inexpensive 2-channel amp (mine cost $115), then you can do a full 5.1.4 setup. The extra pair of Atmos speakers really make a big difference.

I also have the Anthem MRX720. How would you connect a 2-channel amp to get 5.1.4 out of that?

Save

lifeisbeautiful

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 24, 2021

wrathek said:
The Polk OWM3 (or 5, if that's your thing) seem to be pretty clean/discrete. They also come in white. Here's 2 examples:

View attachment 3147277 View attachment 3147279

There's also the SVS Prime Elevations - Prime Elevation which IMO look pretty great and are super versatile due to the mount they come with.

I might go with Ascend HTM-200 on stands for surrounds and Polk OWM3 for ceiling ATMOS. What mounts are you using here for the OWMs?
Also, any recommendations for stands that will secure the speaker? Thanks!

Save

sigpig

· #12 · Jun 24, 2021

lifeisbeautiful said:
I also have the Anthem MRX720. How would you connect a 2-channel amp to get 5.1.4 out of that?

Buy an amp like this: https://www.amazon.com/OSD-Audio-XM...efix=2-channel+amplifier,aps,180&sr=8-16&th=1
Run RCA cables from the "Height 1" pre-outs to the "Main" inputs on the amp, and connect your speakers to the amp.
You have to assign the channels in your setup, and it works perfectly for me.

Save

wrathek

· #13 · Jun 24, 2021

lifeisbeautiful said:
I might go with Ascend HTM-200 on stands for surrounds and Polk OWM3 for ceiling ATMOS. What mounts are you using here for the OWMs?
Also, any recommendations for stands that will secure the speaker? Thanks!

Not my setup, unfortunately lol. Hope to add something like this someday though.

The dude did say that they used these mounts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J56UH0

Polk's website also suggests any mount similar to the OmniMount 10.0.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month