There are currently over 120 movies available in Dolby Atmos, and that list is quickly growing. So upgrading your customers' home theater system to this format is definitely a worthwhile proposition. And while Monitor Audio is not a licenced Atmos partner, the IDC technology found in the Custom Core (C Series) in-ceiling speakers is a perfect solution for bringing the added dimensionality of Atmos to life.
Generally the extra speakers will be installed in the ceiling, placed up high, or aimed toward the ceiling to provide reflective properties. Dolby Atmos is considered a 3-dimensional sound format, and by adding additional speakers to the standard 5.1 or 7.1 setups, Atmos will deeply immerse you in sound, making your customer's home theater experience that much more exciting and realistic.
Hints & Tips
- The two most popular Dolby Atmos setups consist of 5.1.2 (5 ear-level surround, 1 sub, 2 overhead), or 7.2.4 (7 ear-level surround, 2 subs, 4 overhead).
- If your room is 15' x 20' or larger and you have room for two speakers in the back of the room, a 7.2.4 system is the ideal solution and makes the surround effect much more impressive, even if most of your source content is only 5.1.
- A 5.1.4 system is better than a 7.1.2 system. Whenever possible, 4 Atmos speakers should be installed instead of 2 for the best object imaging and panning. This allows the sound to move around the room better, creating a more dynamic and immersive experience.
Monitor Audio Atmos Review
In 2015, David Susilo of Wifi Hifi magazine wrote a fantastic review on a Monitor Audio Silver Series configured Atmos system. The system consisted of Monitor Audio's Silver Series and two CT265-IDC in-ceiling speakers for the Atmos channels. With up to 18 degrees of directional play, the pivoting IDC module in the CT-265IDC features an inverted 4" midrange driver that provides superior dispersion compared to conventional in-ceilings as a result of the size and inverted nature of the midrange driver, while positioning it and the tweeter as close to the speaker grille as possible. This allows a clear acoustic 'sighting' of the desired listening zone and reduces undesirable diffraction effects, making the speaker an ideal solution for Atmos channels.
While listening to the system, David said the speakers "truly create an amazing enveloping sound." He also stated that "this set of speakers with proper calibration performed closer to a true Dolby Atmos commercial theater setup than any others I've tried. And they do that without breaking the bank."