Help and Advice Please on Dolby Atmos

[biggsy]

Hey Guys

Some Questions I am hoping you knowlegable bunch can help me out on!

Currently I have a Sony STR DN1040, connected to UBP-X800B and my KD-55XE9005. So 4K is awsome, but I want to go a little further and look at Dolby Atmos. My Current Amp speaker setup is Front Left and right, Side Left and Right, Rear Left and Right, Center and active subwoofer (7.1 I think). It sounds great but everything I am reading so far sounds like if I head down the Atmos route then the side left and right are lost, looking at the instruction for the DNR1080, which is the amp I am thinking of buying, there is no mention of this type of setup. Is this correct or am I missing something?

Secondly, any thoughts on celing speakers, if I am really honest, I dont want to spend a fortune on ceiling speakers, though their are Atmos releases, it looks like its still in its infancy but coming on strong. Though a compentent DIY'er, this feels like a step beyond my hammering skills, so would get a sparky into do it, therefore my last question, is it worth it, really worth it? I dont know anyone who has this setup yet so I havent heard it for myself other then the cinema, I like the idea, but before I spend a £500 on the amp and then a days labour for a sparky, I am really keen to hear your thoughts!

TIA 

Mike

[Pascale_F]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the community.

I'll see if I can find anything out for you. Maybe someone else in the community can help in the meantime.

Thanks,

Pascale

[dutchice]

Hi Mike,

I've read your question and I must say it is a beautiful question, as it reflects on the core objectives of the Sony Online Community. I will respond to your question as soon as possible in the following days.

Thank you for your engagement.

Cheers,

Dutchice

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi Mike,

I've had a look into the manual of the STR-DN1040 and I found that it doesn't actually support the Dolby Atmos, so upgrading the amplifier might be a good idea if you're looking to get Dolby Atmos sound.

If you decide to use the 1080, you need to make sure that the speakers you're using are Dolby Atmos enabled speakers.

Also, the ceiling speakers would be a great add on to your upgrade, as they should enhance your experience. I found some useful information in the Help Guide, I recommend having a  look into this link: https://bit.ly/2Kn8TmW.

Cheers,

The_Black_Rose

[dutchice]

Hi Mike,

First off my apologies for not being able to respond any sooner. Now and then we get great questions on the community which require more than just a technical response. Your question regarding the added value of height speakers is of the type of questions that requires a bit more background explanation. 

Let me start by answering your first question. The European STR-DN1080 is capable of max 5.1.2 as an all physical speaker setup but has the function for adding 2 extra phantom or otherwise called virtual speakers to your physical setup. This means you are able to achieve a 7.1.2 virtual speaker configuration only using the 5.1.2 speaker configuration. 

Now let me get into the surround sound background story. See the main driver behind producing accurate surround sound lays with the ability of object mapping. Example: To map the position of a ship in sea (2D surface) we only require two dimensions. Longitude and latitude. But to map the position of an aircraft in air (3D space) we require three dimensions. Longitude, latitude and altitude. The height speakers in a surround soundstage provide the ability to map objects much better in 3D space.

Then the final aspect of your question: is atmos worth? You must understand that sound is extremely personal. The same way we prefer to light up our interiors with different light types, we also have our personal preferences about good surround sound. One rule which holds for both light and sound setups is that the more speakers/lights you add to your configuration the better the homogeneousness of your result. As of the moment, the 5.1.2 speaker configuration remains the well accepted setup throughout the industry able to deliver great surround sound; the reason why the 5.1.2 discrete channel format (suited for Dolby Atmos) is currently so popular on blu-rays and streaming services. Note however that you can only expect to have the greatest Dolby Atmos experience from specifically Dolby Atmos content. Even though the STR-DN1080 has the ability to upmix the 5.1 format to a 5.1.2 configuration, similar to what Dolby Pro Logic does for the stereo format.

My personal opinion is that the STR-DN1080 with its 5.1.2 physical channels + 2 virtual channels strikes a good balance between price and features that do matter. 

Feel free to post your comments or questions. 

Cheers,

Dutchice

[EDIT]: corrected minor grammatic & terminology errors on 19/06/2019

[grolschie]

If you use up-firing speakers, you might be disappointed. Ceiling speakers are said to be the best for Dolby Atmos.

That being said, there is a huge problem with this receiver in regards to height speakers. That is, if you intend to play DTS:X content, if you have your height speakers set to "FD" (for up-firing) or "TM" (for ceiling speakers), i.e. either of the two Dolby Atmos configurations, your height speakers will be SILENT when playing DTS:X content!

The only work around is to set your height speakers to "FH" (DTS:X Front Height) regardless of what and where they are, for them to become active! 

Other brands don't have this issue. And Sony hasn't rectified this with a firmware update.