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5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
#417335 03/03/16 03:40 AM
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TroyD Offline OP
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Ok, so I am building the room starting this summer.
The space I have for the "Room" is 12 x 15 x 8
Going from a few forums members and taken into account eve Alan mentioned in a post for a smaller room and because easier sound stage. Also, thinking about the fact subs reproduce below 80 ish. and I had the M22 before and now the M80's I really think in that room set up nicely with two EP500 or two SVS Ultra sealed. That the M22 will be the best way. 90% movie watching.

now my issue is the format, is/has anyone going ATMOS ? would just going 9.a not be sufficient enough. Really, Axiom has the QS8 and the speakers also reflect upward and off the cieling. I think this should be about as good as ATMOS. Just need throw in a couple front heights.
Kinda stuck on deciding what format to setup for. Thinking I may just go 9.2 would be enough. Thinking front L/R will be M22, the wides M22 and heights up front On wall M2's. Not sure about a centre yet keep my vp180, vp150 or vp160. the rears now here where I am not sure. Either four on wall M22's or four qs8's. I guess that be 11.2


Anthem MRX520
M5HPv4
VP160HPv4
QS10v4

Re: 5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
TroyD #417336 03/03/16 05:01 AM
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I just bought 4 more Axioms and a new Anthem MRX-1120 receiver to go 7.1.4.

Here is my take...

I had a room (v3.0 of my theater) that was about 11 x 15 x 8. I was using M60 fronts, VP150 center, and QS8 surrounds in a 5.1 setup. The M60s were MONSTERS for that room. Better oversized than undersized, but still I think that with a good sub the M22s will work nicely.

As for configuration, 5.1 was plenty in that "small" space, but if you wanted to do a step up from that, I would say a 7.1 using front wides would yield better sound than 7.1 using rear surrounds. If you wanted to go even more than that, I would go 5.1.2 or 5.1.4. The front overheads from the X.X.2 or X.X.4 setup will fill in the gap that the front wides would normally do, but give you that "height" element. If you went 5.1.4 then you would also be adding rear height too and probably be just fine without rear surrounds.

With all of that said, yes you need a good base set of speakers 5.1, 7.1 etc to really appreciate Atmos or DTS:X, but you will not get sound that is "enough" with adding more speakers to the traditional layout (7.1, 9.1, etc) to make it sound anything like Atmos. Also, the QS8s will actually work against you if you got an Atmos capable receiver. You want "pinpointed" sound, not a big spray of sound that the QS8s do (which was AWESOME for pre-Atmos configurations).

Yes, just getting an Atmos receiver and not having overhead or reflected Atmos speakers will be in improvement over a non-Atmos one, but you are just getting a taste of what Atmos can do and really need sound coming from overhead to have a truly amazing experience. YES ATMOS AND DTS:X ARE **THAT** GOOD... They are not gimmicks, and you will be amazed at the improved soundfield created by adding height speakers.

Heck, I just shipped back four QS8s that I replaced just over a year ago with on-wall M3s because I know that I HAD to have Atmos and Atmos works best with monopole speakers (not di/bi or quad pole like the QS8s). Heck, Atmos and DTS:X are SO good, that I am basically dropping $3500 just to add it to my room. $1000 in speaker, and $2500 in a receiver (replacing my previously "most expensive to me" receiver that cost me $800 4 years ago)...

Hopefully this helps in some way or another.

The nice thing about your room size is that even if you go "all out" for something that size with a 5.1.4 (or X.2.X if you want to count both subs) is that there are a number of 9 channel receivers out there so the price is a lot better. For my 7.2.4 setup, I had about 2-3 choices if I didn't want to add an external amp and it is costing me...


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: 5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
TroyD #417408 03/05/16 04:47 AM
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TroyD Offline OP
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Thanks Nick
thinking of going with the M22 and M22 on wall or in wall.
I think Axiom needs get on the ATMOS bandwagon and create a swivel on the inwall. So we can point them towards the listening position.
Think I will just create the cavity in the ceiling and slope it abit and use the in wall M2.
The room is 15' long I will be sitting 11 ft from the front so there is 3.5' in the rear.

Ps will start out with 5.1.4 and still run the wiring for 7.1.4 though. Maybe order the second set of rears and try them out.

Just not sure if I am staying in town or going to sell and move out.

Last edited by TroyD; 03/05/16 04:49 AM.

Anthem MRX520
M5HPv4
VP160HPv4
QS10v4

Re: 5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
TroyD #417437 03/06/16 06:19 AM
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Yeah, I almost bought in-ceiling speakers for Atmos (since Axiom's M3 in-ceiling DO have an aimable tweeter) and was going to make some sort of round "shim" for half of the speaker so that it would go up into the ceiling hole at an angle, but in the end I went with on-walls that I will make angled mounting brackets for, but I agree that some sort of aimable speaker in an in-wall cabinet (and in-ceiling too) would be great.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: 5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
TroyD #417469 03/07/16 04:04 AM
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TroyD Offline OP
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Yeh.

I re read all my posts and I am going back to M22. My son gave me a downpayment and he's wanting these this summer when he has a place. Not sure what I will do for a centre channel yet. The VP150 just doesn't get low enough. So, most likely the VP160.
I will wait and if I build an addition on the house in a few years, I will re evaluate and maybe then go with the M80HP as the room def. will be around 17 x 23 x 9.

I came to the realization if I am running dual subs there no way in hell I am going to notice the bottom end of these M80 being cut off at 80hz. Been there done that now and maybe if I was a professional I could hear the difference but, it's just not happening.
But for now in the room thats 11x15.6x8 these M22 will be just fine in a 5.2.4


Anthem MRX520
M5HPv4
VP160HPv4
QS10v4

Re: 5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
TroyD #417470 03/07/16 04:16 AM
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My M22s work just fine with my 2 X EP800s.

No sound deficits that I can tell. In fact, this combo is just about ideal I would say - no wasted woofers at all.

My VP160 was a great choice as well...

TAM

Re: 5.1, 7.1 9.1 11.1 Atmos or Dolby IIZ ?????
TroyD #417588 03/11/16 02:14 AM
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TroyD Offline OP
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Yes, I been mulling this and thinking I am going with the VP160.

Also, I think for this room, now I am going to not go with ATMOS. Just plan old 7.2 and QS8's maybe front heights M2's.
In a few years I plan on selling so, at that time I will make sure the newer house has a proper size movie room and go with ATMOS then.


Anthem MRX520
M5HPv4
VP160HPv4
QS10v4


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