7.5.6 - Atmos Home Theater Tour

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

Clarification regarding the subwoofer layout from Adam "The two SubOuts on the X6700H are discrete. I use a MiniDSP 2X4HD to process four of the subwoofers. Since each Sub is EQd and time aligned independently, it's considered a .4. The fifth sub in the back of the room is ran from the Sub2 output, which is discrete from the other four, resulting in the .5. The rear sub is integrated with the others by using Audyssey XT32. So you are correct when describing it as 7.5.6 since each subwoofer is EQ'd and time aligned separately. I hope this helps explain the layout."

[@Goose_Lord]

Very strange. Especially with all different ported models with different capabilities. Seems like it would be a nightmare to manage all the various peaks and nulls. Ultimately the lowest output sub is going to handicap the system. Better to just have 4 or 5 identical subs, or 2 higher quality ones.

[@D.L.W.]

This is similar to my home theater setup. With the amount of time I spend watching movies, I opted NOT to have a dedicated room because I enjoy being in the living room with its open floor plan, open windows for that nice summer breeze, etc. I have an 85" Sony TV that I sit 10 feet away from. My main listening position is six feet from my back wall, so I've got a custom-made bookcase back there holding my DVD collection with Bookshelf speakers sitting on top for my rear channels. My 7.3.4 sound system consists of 6 SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers (2 for the mains, 2 for the side channels, and 2 for the rears), an SVS Ultra Center speaker, 4 SVS Prime Elevation speakers ceiling mounted for Dolby Atmos, an SVS SB16-Ultra subwoofer in the rear and 2 SVS SB-3000 subwoofers up front. The system is powered by a Parasound Halo A52+ 5 channel amplifier powering the 5 bedlayer speakers and a Yamaha Aventage RX-A8A AVR powering the rear speakers and the 4 Prime Elevation speakers for Dolby Atmos. Dual AC Infinity AIRCOM T9's keep the amps cool, and all are connected to a Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner. The output power of this 14 speaker Living Room home theater system is 4,300 watts R.M.S.

[@adamboyd7327]

Thank you, George! It was great having everyone over, and you're more than welcome back anytime.

[@JCOTV]

Awesome place. How do you manage to power several speakers with the old AVR? I thought about it (I have an old onkyo avr that needs repairs) but I believe that I could only power a pair due to only manage to pass tru 1 line in at the time. Due to having my couch next to the back wall I'd probably place the rear atmos speakers like your middle atmos line, the angled klipsch rp 500sa 2. I don't know if that could work (and if the configuration should be as heights or tops). Cheers

[@adamboyd7327]

@JCOTV When SACD was first introduced, the studios were concerned about copyright infringement because the sound quality was so good. The early SACD players contained a Multichannel outputs, where every channel had a discrete output using RCA cables and their own bass management system. So your speaker distance and levels had to be programmed into the player, as well as the AVR for other sources. The Multichannel inputs on the AVR bypass the internal bass management and use the input source for all the required processing. The Onkyo TX-DS898 that I use has a separate input for each of its seven channels. It's actually the first THX Select AVR produced by Onkyo and one step below the TX-DS989 flagship. The Multichannel input could not be directly recorded from, so this satisfied the studios copyright concerns. I simply use the Denon X6700H preouts and run the RCA cables to the Onkyo's Multichannel inputs. Of course the labeling on the inputs don't match what speaker position they're being fed, so I just need to pay attention to which input is powering each speaker position and run the corresponding speaker connections properly.

[@jacktracks707]

I am about to install these same mounts into 4 Kef Q150s later this week to install in the ceiling. Do you happen to remember or know the length and head size of the screws you used to attach the the mount plate to the speaker cabinet? It would be a huge help and be great If I didn't need to take a cabinet apart before doing this. I will be installing them just like George did on the same side of q150s. This room looks incredible!

[@JCOTV]

@@adamboyd7327 that's brilliant 👏!

[@adamboyd7327]

​@jacktracks707 The Chane A4.5 is pre tapped to accept a 100x100mm VESA mount. I fortunately did not need to drill into the cabinet, and the machine screws that came with the mount worked perfectly. I wish you luck with your project and wish I could be more of a help.

[@jjguillen65]

I also have a multipurpose room and this gave a good idea on what I can do to it. Great and awesome set up. 🤙🏼

[@danm203]

I'm running a Chane system and have been very happy with them. LCR are behind a 130" AT 2.35 screen. They can play LOUD and clear without distorting.

[@adamboyd7327]

It's nice to see a fellow Chane owner! Which models are you running?

[@danm203]

@adamboyd7327 Three A2.4 vertically behind the screen powered by an Outlaw 5000 amp and A4.5's for surrounds, which run off my Denon 3800H. No Atmos...yet.

[@adamboyd7327]

@danm203 Very nice! I ran the original ARX A5 and A2 as the LCR before upgrading to the 700 series. They were my first experience with Chane and simply wonderful speakers.

[@jagsandhu6114]

Great....got my Chane 4.5 ...for Atmos on ceiling 👍

[@adamboyd7327]

@@jagsandhu6114 That's awesome! They're fantastic Atmos speakers!

[@paulc5389]

Nice setup. One of the biggest takeaways I usually notice from people that spend a lot of money on a dedicated space is that it actually hardly ever gets used because it has such a narrow use case and isn't a social space. Fine if you're rich and have the extra room anyway but something like this is better for most people. I'm gonna say it though.. that TV is too small. I'd still want a 40 degree viewing angle for when I am watching TV shows and movies. A floor rising projector screen in combination with this might give the best of both worlds.

[@electronash]

5:46 Looks like an Onkyo TX-NR901 or similar? Looks like it was released around 2003. So maybe not quite 30 years old, but getting closer. Has it really been THAT long already? :o

[@electronash]

6:28 - I think they used to call those "Multichannel Pre-ins" on many AVRs back then? So just a set of 5.1 or 7.1 RCA inputs, which would usually still pass through the Volume control, but that's about it.

[@adamboyd7327]

It's an Onkyo TX-DS898 I purchased new back in 2001, so yes, I exagerated the age, but I knew that I have had it for quite awile.. it was actually still my primary AVR until just a few years ago and I got the upgrade bug. It's been a fantastic piece of equipment and I'm glad that it still plays a primary roll in my system. It is crazy how the time is flying by.

[@mrykhoek]

Ive been really enjoying your content and am wondering where you are from. Your tours are awesome!

[@vader540is]

Always love to see Chane get some love

[@Channel-io1di]

How does the volume sync of the 2 amps work?

[@Lowkey_nxthxn]

Oh wow I seen this on a home theater group on facebook so happy to see a video about this setup killer setup

[@mikeblack3657]

I have a Dolby Atmos receiver that is connected to my PC. Using HDMI, how can I get Dolby Atmos audio to my receiver?

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

You need to connect a device to your receiver, using HDMI, that provides Dolby Atmos content. For example, a 4K blu ray player can play 4K discs and they typically have Atmos sound tracks. You could also use an AppleTV and play 4k Atmos content from one of the streaming site.

[@mikeblack3657]

@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome OK, thanks a lot👌👍

[@byucatch22]

For what the guy was going for, I think he did a great job. My HT room is multipurpose - it's a bedroom and HT, which is essential for how much room we have in the house. That said, I would never want a HT room that has other things going on while I'm watching a movie. In fact, it drives me nuts when anything else is going on that I can hear/see while I'm watching a movie. But that is me and not everyone gets so uptight about these things.

[@adamboyd7327]

I agree. When friends are over and we're having drinks and shooting pool, I run the system with the Multichannel Stereo DSP, and the room is filled evenly with music. It's a nice effect that I call "Party Mode". The layout is also great on game day, with seating and activities for numerous people. With movies, it tends to be just my wife and I, so I'm glad that I didn't go the designated theater route with multiple rows of seating. It would have been a waste of space for my usage.

[@Kpaceguy]

It has a cool vibe!

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

It does indeed! He did a great job with the whole room.

[@GregBenedict]

I'm doing something very similar in my setup. My main receiver is a Denon X6700H with 3 subs and a MiniDSP, plus I'm using my old Denon AVR-5800 (170w/ch) to drive the front 5 speakers (7.3.4). I was planning on getting external amps, but I don't think I will now. It sounds great and the impact is a lot of fun.

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

Nice! Sounds like it will work great!

[@cau8365]

Thank you for sharing. Please elaborate your set up combine the amplification from both receivers, and how do you manage the volume with the Denon 5800 and the X6700H?

[@GregBenedict]

@@cau8365 I'm am using the pre-outs for the L/C/R/LS/RS channels on the X6700H. Those run into the matching channels of external input 1 on the Denon 5800. In my instance the volume is set to 0 (reference) on the Denon 5800 and it never changes. Different receivers might vary on where they need to be set, but you can match the sound output on the primary receiver to the secondary receiver with a db meter on a phone. When the X6700H turns on, it uses a trigger to turn on my Monster power conditioner, which then turns on the outlet for the Denon 5800. As long as I turn on the 5800 about once a week, it keeps track of the settings when it last turned off. I haven't touched anything on the 5800 since I set it up; it's effectively a power amp.

[@GregBenedict]

@@cau8365 One more thing. I covered the IR receiver on the 5800 with electrical tape so my X6700H doesn't accidentally change anything.

[@cau8365]

@@GregBenedict How do you determine /set the initial volume on the 5800 so that the X6700 became the master. From that point going forward the X6700 will control volume/spl of your entire system.

[@dennissimiyu3109]

Which mounts does he use for the atmos speakers?

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

These are his mounts amzn.to/4eFVCQT

[@gab7344]

Great looking multi purpose room. What brackets did he use to Mount the Atmos speaker.

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

These are the mounts I used, similar to Adam’s amzn.to/4eQw4Aa

[@gab7344]

@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome Thanks for reply. keep up the great videos

[@AllAccessConstruction]

Love the open room concept...

[@usmankhalid990]

Setup looks awesome! Can you share with us the link to the articulating mount Adam used to mount his height speakers?

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

Ceiling mount amzn.to/4ePU86j

[@usmankhalid990]

@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome thank you!

[@jacktracks707]

@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome I am about to install these same mounts into 4 Kef Q150s later this week to install in the ceiling. Do either of you gentlemen happen to remember or know the length and head size of the screws you used to attach the the mount plate to the speaker cabinet. It would be a huge help and be great If I didn't need to take a cabinet apart before doing this. I will be installing them just like George did on the same side. Thanks sorry to bug ya yet again, last attempt. Really appreciate the videos a lot!

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

I’m not sure of the exact screw size. However, I do know head of the screw is large enough to not pass thru the mount holes. And the screw length is just a bit shorter than the thickness of the wall of the speaker cabinet. Unscrew the back plate of the speaker (the plate with the speaker wire connectors) and remove the plate. You’ll be able to see how thick the cabinet walls are. Select screws that are a bit shorter than the thickness so they don’t drill all the way thru. Hopefully this helps.

[@jacktracks707]

@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome Thanks George. I will do just that! Really appreciate your videos. Ill chime in with how it went after I get them installed.

[@jeffjefferson7384]

Centre speaker looks HUGE. What model is that?

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

Chane 752

[@SuperCreen]

Just wondering: when changing the volume, does he need to change it for both avr's separately?

[@adamboyd7327]

The volume level on the Onkyo is set to reference (82 on the Onkyo or '0' on other brands) and creates the base level then never changes. SPL level is controlled by the signal strength of the Denon preouts just like it would be on any other external amp. Audyssey XT32 and all other adjustments are controlled through the Denon as usual.

[@celioguim]

Great video! I do have a question, how does he do 13 channels with a receiver that has 11 channels?

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

His AVR does 11 channels of amplification, and 13 channels of processing. He’s using an external amp to power extra channels.

[@jacktracks707]

Hey George, I’m back haha. I’m kicking around the idea of going with 6 height speakers instead of 4. How would you go about planning for distances? Your other video explained .4 perfectly. I will be using q150s and the same adjustable mounts. It seems to me that the middle heights are in line with the MLP. Do you have a handy dandy formula for .6 like you had for the .4 set up ?

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

I need to make a video with the formulas for 6 Height speakers. It’s kinda tricky because you set the Middle pair directly to the side of the MLP, and 35 degrees to the side. The front Heights are 45 degrees forward and 35 degrees to the side. The rear Heights are 45 degrees back and 35 degrees to the side.

[@jacktracks707]

@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome 10/4. I think I am going to go with front wides instead 6 heights. I have 1 row of seats. Me dead center in the MLP is 99.5% of this rooms use. I think I benefit most from the front wides rather than 6 heights. My room is set up to really take advantage of perfect angles and spacing for pretty much everything but especially the front wide, surround, rear surround, and heights. My center and L&Rs are good too haha. Thanks again for your help.

[@paulc5389]

There isn't one right answer to this depending on who you listen to. With 6 though I'd go with front and rear heights with in ceiling overheads. Kefs new q meta range includes height speakers too and with their good dispersion their in ceilings being right above you will be fine as you can't discern directionality at that height angle anyway. The ideal angle for the heights is 40 degrees as past there the human brain has a hard time discerning directionality so it creates the best sound placement with the middle speakers handling generic overhead sounds. Basically you want your speakers set up as per the auro 3d specification except using 2 middles in line with your heights. That's just my 2 cents though and Dolby might disagree. If you're putting together a full new system based on kef and haven't already noticed they have a new q range out now in the q metas which also includes on walls. The q7 metas look very tempting with on walls for surrounds.

[@satii24]

How do you connect 5 subwoofers? Mini dsp only does upto 4

[@denniso9503]

Its probably 7.2.6 with the subs daisy chained. Bet it sounds good though.

[@adamboyd7327]

The MiniDSP 2X4HD time aligns the four subwoofers in the theater area the fifth sub is ran from the Sub2 output and integrated with the four by using Audyssey XT32.

[@denniso9503]

Great system Looks good too . Correct me if i am wrong but if the processor has one or two sub-outs and you daisy chain 5 subwoofers its still 7. 2.6 . I am not quite sure of any processor that has 6 independent sub outs. Maybe Trinnov? But then are there any movies out configured for 6 independent LFE ?..🤔

[@JCOTV]

Maybe with a miniDsp?

[@adamboyd7327]

The .5 refers to each subwoofer being time aligned and EQ'd separately. The two subwoofer outputs on the X6700H are independent, meaning that they're each EQ'd separately. I use.a MiniDSP 2X4HD to time align and EQ the four subwoofers in the theater area, which only requires one of the sub outputs, but would be considered a .4 since each subwoofer is EQd separately. I use the Sub2 output for the fifth subwoofer, which is again time aligned and EQd separately from the other four, resulting in the .5. Audyssey XT32 is used to align the fifth sub with the others.

[@carlosh8113]

@@adamboyd7327 Nice set up, what mounts are you running on ur overhead channels? They dont look to big like other mounts do.

[@paulc5389]

All setups are x.1.x as there is only 1 LFE channel. However, people usually quote the number of subs they have rather than the channel itself. Any processor be it onboard on a receiver with dual outs or splitting through a minidsp just changes individual subs signals via delay, phase, volume, etc to produce the best total output between them for that 1 channel (plus anything crossed over to them). Basically multi sub setups combine them into one virtual sub in most cases and I believe a minidsp is used here to do that. Though newer technologies such as waveforming and Dirac base control changes that somewhat.

[@MattyDaddy14]

That’s exactly my dream setup for when we move into the next house that has a basement area! 🎉

[@FURognar]

I bought a house 2 years ago and last year started setting up a dedicated room. I also set up with 7.1.6. Currently using 2 subs but will be upgrading to 4 15" subs hopefully next year, so final config will be 7.4.6. Having 6 heights is amazing. Especially when each height is paired to an ear-level speaker. Native Atmos sounds incredible (watch Evil Dead Rise. Holy crap!) and upmixing sounds unbelievably good at times. With the right sound mix, Neural-X sounds as good as native Atmos.

[@donny_bahama]

The audio may be great but for a screen that small and a seating distance that long, you better have exceptional eyesight just to resolve all the detail in a 1080P image. Forget about 4K.

[@adamboyd7327]

It's not what can be accomplished with a projector for sure, but the 82" Samsung Q6 is adequate for the thirteen foot seating distance. It was actually the largest screen available without spending over $10k at the time we purchased it. When it eventually dies, I'm considering a UST for the room, but it works fine for now. It just looks small because the room is so large.

[@mauriciob8260]

my home theater is also multipurpose room since my house is very small , but sound very fantastic , is look like just this video

[@fonkenful]

So, what are the room’s overall dimensions? A 9ft ceiling is certainly a gift to work with, but the other two would be interesting to know. “Multi purpose” as in several simultaneous modes of big boy entertainment 😂

[@adamboyd7327]

42' in length. 16' wide for 22' which contains the media area, and then it opens up to 18' wide for the remaining 20' with the pool table.

[@adrianbarac3063]

Important to note that this is simply the CORRECT placement method, as per pro Atmos mixing studios.

[@chrisj9008]

Apparently, this is open to some interpretation. My setup is very similar with bookshelves hung from the ceiling angled towards the main listening positions. There are some schools of thought that the better placement is direct down fireing to envelope the listening position. Some have said it better localized the effects. I haven't AB'd it as I love my setup. And I also subscribe that sometimes things sound better in different rooms with different placement.

[@FURognar]

It looks like its placed as per the renderer, which is what I did for my speakers. When you do that, fully active object based mixes sound incredible but some static 7.1.4 mixes present a little weird. If the mixer monitored it with 4 heights instead of 6, it can turn out a bit weird, but it still sounds good. I much prefer 6 though. When the mix is fully active there's no beating it.

[@DavidJones-oy7qg]

So - 7.2.6 setup, but 5 subs? Does that mean you have 5 subwoofers playing two LFE channels? This is quite confusing. Dolby Atmos only ever has 1 LFE channel. It seems like the receiver has two sub outputs? If so, do you know how it's creating that second sub output? Is it somehow summing the LFE channel and the low end of all other channels and then splitting them out as two identical LFE channels? How does it then become 5 subs? I didn't watch the whole video, so apologies if that's included in the video...

[@adamboyd7327]

I use a MiniDSP 2X4HD to time align and EQ the four subs in the theater area. The MiniDSP only requires one Sub output. The fifth sub is ran from the Sub2 output and EQ'd with the other subs by running Audyssey XT32 calibration. Since there's actually only one LFE channel on a soundtrack, the .X for subwoofers refers to the number of subs that are individually time aligned and EQ'd. In my room, that number is five.

[@willgatlin8229]

Nice Rig! 0:10

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

5 Subwoofers scares me! My 1 Subwoofer scares me! I turn it down a lot.

[@forgot46]

As far as i can tell every home theater enthusiast which upgrade is most noticeable, then i would say amplification. Its night and day difference atleast what i can perceive by switching from inbuilt to external amplification. You will notice that your old not so expensive speakers are shining after this upgrade.👍

[@OG_G4m3r]

What does your amp and receiver set up look like?

[@forgot46]

@@OG_G4m3r using x3800h with 5 channel amplifier which can output full amplification at 2vrms. I am using 5.1.2 configuration only. 3800 is only powering 2 height speakers.

[@OG_G4m3r]

@forgot46 I have a 3800H as well! Currently with a 5.2.2 setup but looking to go 5.2.4 eventually. Which amp are you using?

[@forgot46]

@@OG_G4m3r start with 5 channel amp by doing that you will get good amplification to your bed layer which also offload 3800 of the 5 channels and run those height speaker with 3800. I use a home brand called xtreme audio which makes custom amplifiers. The amplifier i am using uses seperate pcb block for each channel with 200 watts per channel. Its very good for my taste of audio as far as i can tell and like to crank volume in movies alot.

[@carlosh8113]

@@forgot46 I just got some Chane speakers and im gonna run them off the outlaw audio 7 channel amps from an arcam av41but only plan on running 2 subs, one sealed and one ported , sealed give you extreme low end umph and ported is just louder.

[@MrBonger88]

I remember Massdrop (Drop) had some Chane tower speakers for under $500. I didn’t know anything about them so I didn’t buy them. Kicking myself that I didnt now

[@JeffMarcum]

You incorrectly described the number of subwoofer channels. The 6700H only has two discrete LFE channels. I think you confused the number of subwoofers with the number of LFE channels. The number after the first decimal only indicates the number of discreet channels, and it never indicates the total number of subwoofers being used. Using Y splitters to increase the number of subs does not increase the number after the first decimal. Otherwise, some people would probably claim to have a 7.12 system. 😂

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

You are correct. There are 5 subs, but only two discrete LFE channels. And now that I’m thinking about it I’m not sure whether the 3700H has two truly separate LFE channels or if the two RCA outputs have basically a Y connector internally 🤔

[@adamboyd7327]

I have two Sub outputs Sub1 has a MiniDSP 2X4HD which time aligns and EQ's the four subwoofers in the theater area. Since each of the subwoofers is EQ''d independently it 's considered a .4, the fifth sub is ran from the Sub2 output and integrated with the others using Audyssey XT32. This is once again a separate Sub out with its own EQ and time alignment, which results in the .5

[@adamboyd7327]

@GeorgeTheaterAtHome The two SubOuts on the X6700H are discrete. I use a MiniDSP 2X4HD to process four of the subwoofers. Since each Sub is EQd and time aligned independently, it's considered a .4. The fifth sub in the back of the room is ran from the Sub2 output, which is discrete from the other four, resulting in the .5. The rear sub is integrated with the others by using Audyssey XT32. So you are correct when describing it as 7.5.6 since each subwoofer is EQ'd and time aligned separately. I hope this helps explain the layout.

[@chrisj9008]

Sometimes it's nice to see how people make use of what they have and extend things out to get as much life out of things. We all love the hundred thousand dollar theaters, but realistically most of us will never be able to come even close to that. And at the end of the day, my modest investment into mine, which has been mostly my time by comparison to some other friends of mine who have spent tens of thousands of dollars. I feel my return on my investment is infinitely more than there sometimes. These days I have almost as much fun helping my friends get their home feeder, set up and move towards something as I do.Enjoying mine.

[@GeorgeTheaterAtHome]

Excellent perspective. Thanks for sharing!