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ATMOS for a small'ish space?
#435053 01/05/20 06:12 PM
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I've been thinking about incorporating some ATMOS capabilities to my 12' X 18' theater room. I do not wish to cut holes into the walls or ceiling though, as it's all sound dampened. Plus, I intend to sell the house in about 3 years when I retire and move. I don't want to deal with fixing holes when I do. I can, however, build some boxes (I think) that I could mount ceiling speakers to, then either attach them to the ceiling or hang them. My ceiling is roughly 8.5'.

I am currently using QS8's at three locations; R/L front height, positioned in the front wall R/L corners about my M80 R/L speakers, R/L side surrounds, hanging from Axiom ceiling mounts and angle down to the seats, and at the rear for R/L rear surround speakers. The rears are mounted with Axiom brackets, about 6.5' from the floor, angled down. They are about 6' apart. The great thing about the QS8's, is they are so forgiving with room placement, and that's worked well in this room for years.

Space is the limiting factor. There's also a door directly to the right of the listening area, limiting speaker placement to above the door, and the seats are only 2.5' from the rear wall. I can move them forward afoot, but that's about it. There's also a window to left of the seats.... I have a 2.4:1 screen that's 8' wide, so moving the seats forward is restricted as well.

I have been reading about ATMOS, and comments from Nick and Randy here, and it would seem that my QS8's need to go and I should use M3's or some other type of direct-radiating speaker. That kinda sucks, seeing how my Q's are all V4 in real wood finish..... And, they work so well with my restricted speaker placement.

I think the rear wall is too close for any direct-radiating spaeker to be used there, but possibly keep the Q's for rear surrounds. I can't lower them either, or people would be running into them when accessing the HT equipment that's behind the seats....

I can't really mount or place side surrounds at ear level either. Same problem, not enough space to walk between the wall and seats.

Pictures would obviously help. I've given up on Photobucket. Too bad this site doesn't host pics.

Anyone have a favorite photo-sharing site I could post pictures of my room to?

Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435054 01/05/20 06:31 PM
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House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435055 01/05/20 06:37 PM
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Correct the ideal Atmos is all direct radiating, The on wall versions might be worth looking at as they would protrude into your room as much as a full bookshelf. If you can place the surrounds within a couple feet of ear height directed to you should be fine. Another way to go maybe 5.2.4 without rear just sides.
Sadly most any multi pole speaker gives to much of a spread out sound for ideal Atmos bubble.

Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435056 01/05/20 08:04 PM
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Thanks guys. I'll try Mojo's pic posting site.

My ceiling is trayed, and that is where I think I can mount some ceiling speakers. I'd run the speaker wire behing some molding to the projector cable conduit.








Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435061 01/06/20 04:52 PM
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When I updated my room to Atmos I swapped out my Qs8 surrounds for onwall m22s, however, I did go with Axioms M3 round in ceilings for the 4 Atmos channels.

Nice Pics


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435064 01/06/20 07:10 PM
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It is a comfy room. Sorry I can't offer any advice...which is quite unlike me. smile


House of the Rising Sone
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Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435065 01/06/20 07:24 PM
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Lower the side and rear surrounds for sure (even if you don't go monopole, which ideally you would), add some on-wall M3s mounted on your ceiling. That is what I did because I too soundproofed my room and wasn't about to punch holes into the ceiling in hopes of retrofitting something. I am using a combination of Axiom Full Metal Brackets for the front two, and a simple wooden "wedge" for the rear two overheads. Yes, I had to remove the main drivers and drill holes into the backs of the rear overhead M3s to mount them to the wooden wedges, but some precision holes, some t-nuts into the wedges, and some bolts for a clean fit.

Works really well and allows for aiming of the whole speaker and not just the tweeter.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435070 01/06/20 11:43 PM
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I can't lower the QS8's, as they would just get walked into, but I "may" have room to wall mount some Axiom wall mount speakers for side surrounds. They would not be as obtrusive. Not ideal, but better I think. As you can see from the pictures though, one would have to forward to the seating area. Would that be an issue? I can mount the left rear surround to the corner base trap, if being angled doesn't matter?

Hey Nick, do you have any pictures of the ceiling-mounted M3's?

Do you think they are a better choice than the round ceiling speakers mounted in an encloser of sorts?

Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435081 01/07/20 02:42 AM
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I picked up a pair of ELAC upfiring Atmos speakers... around $200. I set them atop the LFR1100s. Picked up a used 2 channel Rotel amp. Elacs bounce off ceiling.

Sounds pretty good!


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: ATMOS for a small'ish space?
michael_d #435082 01/07/20 02:47 AM
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I set my tuna atop the LFRs. It didn't bounce off the ceiling. The LFRs now sound more fleshy.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
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