Just to update, gave the 7.2.4 a test run the other night watching Mandalorian Sn 3, ep 2 & 3. I also now have a seperate power amplifier Arcam P85 running my fronts which has taken quite a bit of load of the AVR. So far sound is very good and I think the centre channel is sounding a little clearer with the extra power and of course the floor standers are also sounding better. 

 

As far as the atmos goes I need to test it a bit more on more varied content but the most impressive demonstration was in Mandalorin episode 3 when Dr. Pershing is giving a talk in an auditorium. The acoustics and echo of the auditorium scene was life like and I defintely felt like I was sitting in the middle of the auditorium. 

I just thought I'd update you guys on my final set up. I did end up swapping out my Paradigm Studio CC 590 v5 for the heavy weight B&W CM CENTRE 2 S2 in gloss black. It was mainly an asthetic change to match the gloss black Monitor Audio surrounds I have but I was pleasantly surprised at the sound of the B&W and have no complaints. Of course it is a proper 3-way with largish drivers so it should sound reasonable. I'd say for some reason the timbre is now a little better with my Tannoys (Precision 6.4) over the Paradigm and dialogue is now much clearer through the frequency range whereas before some of the lower frequency vocals were a little rough (e.g., Daniel Craig in No Time to Die). Perhaps the B&W and Tannoy came out of the same factory so play better together? No doubt the Paradigm would perhaps sound better when paired with similar Paradigm fronts. 

 

Of course the B&W despite its long UK history is made in China, like Tannoys. Nontheless the sound quality is still there and everything now seems to match very well. 

 

 

Just as a reminder I am running these with a 4k Panasonic 820 and Denon AVR-X3700H with Arcam P85 and Monitor Audio Silver surrounds. Everything has been tuned with Audyssey. I would highly recommend a 4k blu ray player if you want to get the most out of your system. The sound is noticeably better than streaming IMO. 

I've been very impressed with the Arcam P85 running the two fronts and stereo music makes for very nice listening. It also runs surprisingly cool, whereas I'm always surprised how hot these multi-channel receivers run but I guess they are doing a lot of work! As a result I've reduced the air gap around the Arcam and increased around the Denon another inch as a precaution. 

Just as a note, to set up the primary listening position, I pull the rear couch forward by approx 40cm, and then set up some floor seating in front. This helps with the long room and hence the relatively low surround speakers. 

So last school holidays I reluctantly re-visted the Hunger Games series with my daughters. The earlier movies I have are not recorded in Dolby Atmos and are 1080p so no visual or audio enhancments. What impressed was the last movie which I have in 3D and Dolby Atmos. Aside from the 3D the audio effects are really impressive and well worth a listen just for that if you have a new Atmos system. 

In preperation for Dune 2, we watched Dune again the other night in 4k Dolby Atmos and of course the Hans Zimmer sound track continues to impress particularly in 7.4.2. Interstellar, MI-VII and Maverick have also impressed. 

So was it all worth it. The new Monitor Audio set up was probably the biggest investiment at $4,200 for the eight speakers. The B&W and Arcam were second hand so not too much expense and the Denon Atmos receiver was open box so an easy purchase.  I'd say running and hiding the cables was the most difficult and time consuming task so plan ahead if you are considering this. This is one reason why I didn't go in ceiling due to obstructions. I bought one of those fibreglass multi rod cabling pulling kits from ebay which was essential.  

If you are a regular movie watcher well worth adding in some atmos speakers IMO. I was also previously running 7.2 with various miss-matched second hand speakers which still produced a great sound and I think is still an excellent way to go for someone on a budget. I know there is the recommendation to match the Timbre but I think the calibration software corrects for most discrepancies and a very good sound can still be achieved from different brand speakers. 

Edited March 21, 20242 yr by don

Hi Don, thanks for the time and effort in posting these updates and your opinions. I really appreciate people sharing their journeys. I have a base of Monitor Audio Platinums and two subs in a 5.1 configuration and I’m currently looking at 2 or 4 heights. Was looking at the MA Silver AMS 7G or M&K MP150 or similar. 

45 minutes ago, manbat said:

Hi Don, thanks for the time and effort in posting these updates and your opinions. I really appreciate people sharing their journeys. I have a base of Monitor Audio Platinums and two subs in a 5.1 configuration and I’m currently looking at 2 or 4 heights. Was looking at the MA Silver AMS 7G or M&K MP150 or similar. 

No worries. Your Platinums must sound awesome and look very nice! I think the Silver AMS 7Gs do the job nicely, but those M&K MP150s do look impressive but costly. My feeling is the the there is deminishing returns in the atmos speakers and purchasing four heights to get the 5.1.4 over two more expensive ones might produce a better effect, but then maybe the Silvers wont do your Platinums justice, unlike the M&K would. Anyway, look forward to seeing what you decide on and please post when you do.

Cheers, still doing some early research and I double checked the M&K very expensive. I thought you got a pair for that price but it’s only one… back to reality! 

1 hour ago, manbat said:

Cheers, still doing some early research and I double checked the M&K very expensive. I thought you got a pair for that price but it’s only one… back to reality! 

Don’t want to derail Dons thread but any reason you aren’t looking at monitor audio in ceiling speakers for the Atmos? They even have a platinum version with ribbon tweeter.

 

 

12 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Don’t want to derail Dons thread but any reason you aren’t looking at monitor audio in ceiling speakers for the Atmos? They even have a platinum version with ribbon tweeter.

 

 

Good points. I did look at in ceiling speakers MA Creator series and they look good. Two things made me pause.

1. I live in a very old house with lathe and plaster. Cutting in large round speaker holes would be very tricky. I've had a few issues just installing minor items where the plaster self destructs, crumbles and cracks everywhere. A friend of mine who's worked with a lot of this  said you could get in the roof and strengthen it with coats of adhesive, let it dry then cut the holes (?) Still would have to get that past the keeper....

Having had a cursory look in the roof, it is looking like the joists would be in the way of an even spread/symmetrical line up of the holes, therefore positioning two out of whack. That would play with my OCD too much (needs further investigation.) 

 

2. On walls/ceiling would give me the flexibility of exact placement, and if I ever moved things around - MLP, floor speakers etc I could easily rectify the on walls/ceilings. Additionally having listened to in-ceilings vs on-walls, I have preferred the latter. I reckon I could get to the penally shoot out with these.

 

Happy for any opinions/advice etc. I would also need another amplifier - slim class D to drive the additional (min 4 speakers) preferably with XLR connections.  

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, manbat said:

Good points. I did look at in ceiling speakers MA Creator series and they look good. Two things made me pause.

1. I live in a very old house with lathe and plaster. Cutting in large round speaker holes would be very tricky. I've had a few issues just installing minor items where the plaster self destructs, crumbles and cracks everywhere. A friend of mine who's worked with a lot of this  said you could get in the roof and strengthen it with coats of adhesive, let it dry then cut the holes (?) Still would have to get that past the keeper....

Having had a cursory look in the roof, it is looking like the joists would be in the way of an even spread/symmetrical line up of the holes, therefore positioning two out of whack. That would play with my OCD too much (needs further investigation.) 

 

understand however keep in mind it isnt such a precise placement for a decent result... a little bit forward or back to miss the joists is not an issue... the dolby guidelines are just a guideline... as long as ahead and behind you (about one step forward and one step back for a bit of spread between them it will work. 

 

also keep to about 6" speakers max.. no need for 8" the holes end up far too huge and harder to miss things... 

 

16 minutes ago, manbat said:

2. On walls/ceiling would give me the flexibility of exact placement, and if I ever moved things around - MLP, floor speakers etc I could easily rectify the on walls/ceilings. Additionally having listened to in-ceilings vs on-walls, I have preferred the latter. I reckon I could get to the penally shoot out with these.

 

 

this is always a choice ..

 

you can do the front and rear heights that are wall mounted... but keep in mind the sound will come from the front and rear not as much above you ... 

 

If anyone has any experience with Lath and Plaster (and ceiling speakers) give me a shout. 

Edited April 2, 20241 yr by manbat

On 23/03/2024 at 10:06 AM, betty boop said:

you can do the front and rear heights that are wall mounted... but keep in mind the sound will come from the front and rear not as much above you ... 

 

Depends on how close to the rear wall the seat position is, my room is med/small and the couch is half a metre or so off the rear wall (ATM)

I use Dali Alteco's in downfiring on the rear wall as atmos (5.1.2) - works really well noting the angle is the same as in/on ceiling should be positioned for atmos.

 

Will be flipping the tv/couch to opposite sides in around 1 year and this will give me the excuse to bring the couch forward slightly (due to window behind) along with mounting the screen onto the wall (currently on cabinet).  Will need also need to bring couch forward due to screen moving back (avoiding screen shrinkage).

Will then put .4 atmos in-ceilings in plus be able to get the (ear level) rears further back

 

just have to work with what you have, agree you can achieve great results with variation from the norm

Edited June 27, 20241 yr by hometheatrebugbitten