Canes, I'm sorry if I led you astray. I've always said I'm satisfied enough with the overhead effects my QS10 sides give me. That is not to say however that Atmos doesn't sound better. Atmos steers different sounds to overhead speakers relative to sides. That results in greater spatial resolution and realism.
I'd say the side QS10s give me Neural:X in the overhead dimension without needing a Neural:X-capable receiver or overhead speakers. With their forward-of-MLP position, I hear quiet overhead effects ahead of me. When the effects get louder, I can hear them ahead, directly above, and behind me. For example, when a plane is taking off directly in front, I can hear it panning above me from the front, directly above and then behind.
The side QS10s are allowing me to extend the life of my 8 year-old Onk.
