5.1.4 vs 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos. Which is the Better Option? 5.1.2 or 7.1?

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[tagadvance]

Thank you for the video. It's so easy to fall into the trap of more=better, especially when there's a fear of missing out. This makes me feel a lot better about my choice to go 5.1 and then later I'd like to upgrade to 5.2.4.

[Lowkey_nxthxn]

I appreciate you making a video on this topic

[dalekslookgood]

Hiya. Thnx for your good video. I want to let you know that i switched last year from 7.1.2 to a 5.1.4 atmos/dts-x setup. My AVR has 9 channels processing inc atmos and dts-x and no preamp outs bar the subwoofer channel. (which i use).
Before this avr i had a 7.1 setup. Then i moved to this avr (pioneer vsx-lx303) with atmos. First in a 7.1.2 layout with front heights and rear surrounds. Then i came on the advice to change to 5.1.4 and raised my rear surrounds to high up back wall near ceiling and slanted down, and set the avr to 5.1.4 instead.. (Front heights are also on wall high up slanted down at seating position. I am very happy with this new atmos setup. the 7.1.2 didn't "do"it for me very much. I am now much happier with the 5.1.4 setup fx, especially on movies like mission impossible fallout at the end with the helicopters scenes. That is my fav demo for atmos bit. real atmos-y movement across the room! Thats what i got an atmos avr for!

To be hones, in the 7.1 and 7.1.2 setups, i never thought that the rear surround channels were so much used by most movie soundmixes. I think the gain in 5.1.4 against 7.1.2 is worth it (the loss of the rear surrounds).

WHEN the atmos mix on a movie (or svod series) is a good, dynamic one (not always the case, unfortunately), I am really thrilled with my sound setup. glorious home-cinema!
such a shame that many scifi movies that COULD be great (atmos)-soundwise, are often lacklustre in the 9atmos)audio department. (Yes I am talking about that studio with the Mouse logo that does a lot of spectacular movies and series nowadays!)

[Reggaebeatman]

I went from 5.1 vs 7.1 and was impressed hearing a massive wall sound from behind. It was awsome watching Exodus on bluray feeling the bow arrows go through me. My experience so far is more information comes from rear speakers than the rear height Atmos. Also Atmos height speakers are 90% time totally silent so u don't even get the occasional crickets and wind which why I prefer Auro 3D upmix. Most films dont even have great height Atmos mix and are 7.1 mix or 5.1. Recently purchased Justice Legue and Dunkirk 4k was disappointed with the height Atmos mix and ended up running 3D Auro. It going take time before these studios realise that good Atmos height sound really matters. It cost money and doesn't help when majority market still buying DVD!😢

[GB-jetc]

Kyle, I couldn't have explained it better myself. You hit the nail on the head.
7.1.2 gives you MONO ATMOS feel above (very little movement)...
Whereas 5.1.4 permits a more STEREO movement, whether front to back, or side to side.

I agree with you the atmospheric heights sounds are more believable when rendered a la 5.1.4 vs 7.1.2 (mono)👍

[jaseamondo]

While what your saying about effects panning overhead is technically correct, it's actually only true for Atmos objects which are a very small portion of the overall soundtrack. A typical Atmos mix for films is done in 7.1.2 and then Atmos objects are added over this base layer. So if you go 5.1.4 your actually losing 2 channels worth of information for the entire movie (technically it gets redirected but it's not where the sound is supposed to come from anymore) what you really need as a minimum is 7.1.4 which then allows for front to back panning of Atmos objects which you rightly point out can't be done with only two ceiling speakers. However you lose far more by going 5.1.4 as there's an entire movies worth of information not being sent to the correct location. You 100% may prefer this but your throwing away so much for the odd object panning effect that I don't think the trade off is worth it.

[randelldavis]

Good topic, IMO I think having 4 Atmos is better than 2. If I had to choose 5.1.4 is the better option. From my understanding, when running 7 bed layers that very little information is being routed to the rear backs.

[pastaman]

just upgraded from a 7 ch to a 9 ch and the 4.4.4 is significantly more immersive than 4.4.2! I'm currently rewatching all my atmos/dtsx 4k blu-rays and the 2 extra heights make the entire sound dome believable. On great mixes, there's a lot of content in the rear height channels that I previously didn't hear before

[thatsasakilife]

Great video KPace. Speaking of 5.1.4 setups, At the advice of your recommendation I finally pulled the trigger & bought the SVS Prime Elevation Height Speakers. Going to put it in the front. Now looking for speaker cables to connect them to. What do you recommend for under $100? Thanks again for taking the time to make these videos for us.

[joedegabriele]

Thanks for the clear explanation. Currently I have 5 speakers on the ground - front centre rear and then 2 speakers mounted high at the rear. Sounded ok but not immersive.
From what I understood you say maybe I should buy 2 Atmos speakers to sit on the frontiers firing up and turn the high rears to point up ? What do you think?

[fivelevels]

Big Like on the video. I have a question,
What is the best Atmos speakers placement? in ceiling or on the front & back walls?

[onemanyhobbies]

I run a 7.2.4 setup but between the two I would go 5.1.4 as there is much more content that I personally am interested in that code to that configuration.

[totalplonker]

We all agree you've got a handsome face, but please give us the option to look at something else as well! 😄 (besides it was always nice to admire your equipment in the background)

[markclark]

I am still old school yet. 5.1 no Dolby Atmos yet. Maybe one day I'll get there.

[theredon]

On my experience y don’t want to miss the depth behind me with the 7 channels but if your limited and want the better atmos experience 5.4.1 is the best option In my opinion, 2 atmos speakers doesn’t do much.

[AleutianDrones]

Thank you for this, super encouraging since if I had to buy 7 bed layers and a sub I would have to wait to add atmos speakers. I would much rather start out with a 5.1.4 then add a second sub and 2 more bed layer speakers later.

[FactNight]

5.2.4 vs 7.2.4 for movies & gaming? Better?

[njrumenos]

Firstly the configuration is dependent on room size and then of course your processors capabilities, on top of all that comes speaker placement being one of the most important factors in any room, I’m most cases for people with the average size room a 5.2.2 or 7.2.2 is going to be adequate when speaker placement has been done correctly, rooms on the larger/longer size and with multiple rows of seats then a 4 channel in ceiling Atmos configuration would be more desirable and even the addition of wides can come into play as well as side surround arrays

[zelko]

Excellent info. I’m running 7.1 but not in a conventional set up. Due to my seating and room configuration I have my side and rear surrounds about 3 feet above MLP pointing down. My question is how would I incorporate 4 ceiling speakers for atmos with that setup. Also my seating is 4 feet forward from the rear wall. Any ideas would be great.

[TheOnlyGHOST]

I have a question I have an old AV receiver that's a 7.2 (Not Atmos) if I watch a movie that's in Atmos Will my 7.1 somewhat be active Thanks