Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater One pair or two pairs of M3 ceiling speakers?

Did you try out QS8s with your Atmos set-up?

Mojo -- I did not. When I heard nickbuol describe his conversations with a Dolby Labs representative, I understood conceptually the challenges presented by a multi-polar speaker, esp when tracking audio objects in a 3 dimensional space. So, I did not second guess his reco, just traded in the QS8s for the on wall M3s.

Very happy I made that decision. The ambiance is terrific. The audio is super clear. The overhead soundstage is very clean from the overhead ceiling speakers as well. The HT installer was very appreciative of the quality of the on wall brackets (the speaker just hangs off the bracket both structurally and from a connectivity standpoint, no need to strip out the ends of the copper wire and thread into the holes at the back of the speaker), as well as the overall robustness of the ceiling M3s.

Alright, thanks. I'm in no hurry. My v4 gear has totally changed my 5.1 game. Now waiting for my Onk to die before jumping into Atmos. I may be waiting a long time. My 1990 yammie and 2005 Denon are still going.

I'll be trying QS10s. I'll also try M2OW and 160OW on the sides and ceiling.

I'm considering picking up a pair of M3 or VP100 on-wall speakers to suspend from my ceiling for use as an overhead Atmos audio channel.

Has anyone successfully mounted these to a ceiling?

Nick Boul has successfully hung M3 on-walls on the ceiling with FMBs. I’m trying the same. I will also try mounting them flush with my own bracket. On one hand you can aim them with the FMB. On the other, on-walls are designed to be mounted flush and tops are supposed to point straight down. I suspect that placement and ceiling height plays a big role in determining which method is better.

I’m also hanging M3 bookshelves for heights using a FMCB. To do this they actually hang sideways.

Note that Axiom needs to modify the inserts for either of those speaker to be hung that way. So, they need to know your intent when you place your order. Also, if you mod the M3ow inserts for the FMB they will not be usable with a T bracket.

So would it be better to lower the surrounds to ear level and add height speakers? I've been debating whether to add additional wiring to lower the surrounds to stands ( patio door prevents me from lowering them on wall on one side). Trying to think of all scenarios while I have the walls ripped out.

It might not be the simple answer your after but i think it best to figure out a lot of this stuff yourself as you are the one who knows your room and what your after. I can only guess.

The best single document I’ve found on speaker placement is the one from Trinnov

trinnov-speaker-layout-guide

It will impart some real insight into how and why surrounds are positioned in all 3 formats: ATMOS, DTS-X, & Auro-3d. Their product is much more flexible on placement then anything a mere mortal would own. So, for the money challenged (those of us who might balk at spending 20 to 30k on a processor) we need to think a bit more because your room and what format you favor will have an impact on placement. This can be a fairly deep rat hole ... so, if you have the interest and time ...

You can start digging into the ATMOS and Aruro-3d specs (DTS:X claims they can use whatever)

atmos-installation-guidelines.pdf

Auro-3D-Home-Theater-Setup-Guidelines_lores.pdf

and overlaying that on the layout of your room and the listening area you are trying to create. Now you can create your best compromise.

Of course most don’t go this deep and they seem to be happy with the out comes

I'm a stickler for sound. If I am going to invest, even what I've put in so far, I want to have great sound. I have so much flexibility right now with no walls up and a clean slate I'm trying to research as much as possible to try to get it correct so I won't have to tear the walls down again. I will read through those guides.

I'd recommend going with onwall M3s for the surround and rear speakers, and the ceiling M3s for the overhead. I consulted with the Dolby Atmos guide for a 7.1.4 configuration, and it served me well.

Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, Alita Battle Angel, the various Star Wars movies, all had a terrific overhead sonic presentation, and I thoroughly enjoyed my upgraded Axiom speaker package. The only 'legacy' Axiom speakers in my set up are M80s and VP150 from circa 2005. I paid a good chunk of change for them, and did not think I needed an upgrade .

Obviously, there are qualified acoustic experts in this forum and they may have a different perspective than I have above.

Best,

edvacdude

Excellent!

Note that ATMOS does not mention this directly but if you look at enough of their layouts you’ll notice that recommend placement of the mid tops change if you have only 1 row (vs 3,5,...)

Have fun