Some years ago, Dolby Atmos was introduced to the domestic market, a new object-based multi-channel sound format from theaters that promised to improve the fidelity of sound position and reproduction, thanks to the incorporation of new dynamic speakers in the room.
A year later, DTS: X arrived, also based on objects and with some interesting additional functions that would “revolutionize” our sound devices.
Manufacturers quickly launched new compatible equipment, in the form of AV receivers, speakers and soundbars, promising great improvements in audio quality and tempting us into renewing our home theater systems. Have they succeeded? Is it worth updating? Can we take advantage of them in a conventional home?
And what are some of the best ceiling speakers for atmos ? All these and more questions will be answered in this article in as much detail as possible.
Best Ceiling Speakers for Atmos
1. Pioneer SP-T22A-LR
Pioneer SP-T22A-LR in-ceiling speakers that are based on 5.1 channels and suggests to be a somewhat smaller system, with enough power that would be sufficient for a home.
This system has a quite elegant and discreet design and does not take up too much space at home, making it a good investment.
You can see the Pioneer brand topping the lists in regards to electronic devices, particularly sound system, so it is not unusual to see it first on this list either. This product comes at a very affordable price, and without compromising the quality of the sound they transmit.
This system consists of only two speakers, a woofer and a tweeter to better manipulate frequency response and the sound placement when embedded with Atmos.
This design makes it quite original and striking. It is quite simple to use since only the specific cables must be connected in the indicated ports, and they are only a few of them. All speakers in the system consumes total amount of power around 80w, which is quite a lot considering the size of each speaker.
This system is really good since it can be effective even if you have a medium room, due to the power of its speakers.
2. JBL 8128
This is a system developed by a brand that is also known worldwide in the market for smart devices, and this manufacturer has collaborated with teams that have formed an immense repertoire of products that are very economical compared to others of the same range.
JBL 8128 design is small and compact enough so that it can fixed into any kind of ceiling, corners of the roof even if that is required.
This is a system specially designed to work in small rooms, and it is quite consistent that the system is smaller than others since otherwise, it would occupy much more space than the small room would have.
It is beneficial to have a system that is smaller since you can surely count on it when you are moving away. It also comes with an optional quick installation option or if you are in constant motion and you are looking for a system that you can easily move, surely this would be a good candidate.
3. Klipsch RP 140-SA
The Klipsch RP 140-SA speaker system is one of the best dolby atmos speakers. The design of this set is quite elegant and striking and surely nothing is quite as compact compared to other equipment of Oras brands.
The sound quality that this system is capable of replicating is undoubtedly the best since it does not skimp on power and fidelity, it has no competition in this regard, although some almost reach the power it offers.
It uses a technology called Tractrix which deals with boosting sounds in all their frequencies while eliminating the distortion in the audio that is received by the system, so you can already get an idea of how powerful and effective this system can be.
If you have a considerable budget and do not want to skimp on expenses to obtain a sound system, it is recommended that you get a Klipsch RP 140-SA system, since you can surely afford the price for the best quality sound system that exists in the market.
4. Onkyo SKH-410
This is a home theater system that is made up of 2 dedicated Dolby Atmos-Enabled speakers and a subwoofer, which is the standard for this type of dolby atmos speakers setup in this range.
It is of very high quality, in fact, the Onkyo SKH-410 system is recognized worldwide as one of the best since it is designed to be the best of all systems.
Not only that, but it can also be integrated with any existing Onkyo audio setup that you might have. Such as Onkyo SKF-4800. Moreover, it can also be placed on a shelf or can be wall mounted as well.
The system was designed to be installed in large rooms since the power it presents to other sound accessories is remarkable. So if you have a fairly large space at home and you are planning on turning it into a home theater, then this would be the right option.
There will be no corner in the room that cannot be part of the immersive experience that is delivered by this system.
5. Acoustic Audio by Goldwood CS-IC83
The Acoustic Audio brand has always been a pioneer in terms of manufacturing the best ceiling speakers, and it is not for nothing that it has been in the market for so many years, and this time it has created a system that has no comparison and as always it provides with an exclusive sound quality experience that you might not get from any other sound system.
The Acoustic Audio by Goldwood CS-IC83 has a set of 5 ceiling speakers and Wide Sound Dispersion Designed Speakers that can help with the integration with other or existing audio systems that you might have. Moreover, more elements can be included and patched up with the system that can be purchased separately to complement the overall experience.
However, it is not that easy to set up such a system without some technical knowledge so it’s a good idea to get some help if you are a newcomer.
If you do not have a very flexible budget and want to have a home cinema, you can use this specific system as it is one of the cheapest you will find on the market.
6. Micca M-8C 2-Way In-Ceiling Speaker
Micca M-8C has been on the leading edge of improving the way the sound is distributed throughout the room and is made up of 2-way in-ceiling speaker and a high excursion woofer system to give it a good base.
The design of the speakers is really practical since they are ideally sized to be able to integrate into any space where you prefer to install them, even the design has certain compartments that allow you to play with the option of being installed on the wall if you do not wish to install them on the roof.
The subwoofer has a much larger size compared to the rest of the elements and is quite simple to look at. However, the rest of the elements have modern designs, which give it a lot more elegance for a ceiling speaker.
Micca M-8C ensures high audio fedality in the room, regardless of whether they are small or even medium-sized since the power of the speakers is sufficient to be compatible with rooms of such size. However, the room should not be too large, And it is not that you cannot install it in a very large space, but then you will have to deal with a loss of quality due to the extra space that is not compatible with its power.
Buying Guide on Ceiling Speakers for Atmos
Installation
The key to enjoying the new formats inevitably consists of the installation of new speakers. Reference configurations for Atmos, for example, for 5.1.2, which involves adding two Dolby Atmos-enabled or ceiling speakers to a traditional 5.1 system, and the 7.1.4 configuration, which consists of a traditional 7.1 system and adding four in-ceiling or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers.
Ideally, these extra speakers need to be installed in the ceiling, though loudspeakers with upward-tilt drivers that use bounces in the upper part of the room to recreate the surround effects are also attractive to some.
But in the latter case, the results can be quite disappointing, since we need a specialized room with specifications that people usually do not have.
The ceiling must be smooth (not domed or angled), of an acoustically reflective material, such as a normal plaster wall, stucco, concrete or dense wood, and at a height of between 2.4 and 2, 7 meters for an optimal result. Otherwise, as soon as there would be an obstacle, the effect would be lost and may even worsen the 3D sound positioning sensation that was intended to be achieved.
The front sound emission systems such as soundbars can be excluded from our wish list in such a case. At first, it may seem that they offer some very spectacular effects, but in the long run, they will most likely be a bother, and we will probably choose to leave them turned off.
Budget Constraints
Although in the last couple of years the new formats come standard with most new equipment that launches, still if you do not have a budget of more than 600-800 euros for the A / V receiver, you will probably be left out of Atmos, DTS: X.
You may even need an external amplifier to handle the extra channels since for that low of a budget it is difficult to find equipment that can work with 7 or 9 speakers at decent power levels.
Also, there are many cases in which compatibility with Atmos and DTS: X does not come as standard, but we achieved it through a subsequent firmware update (for example with the 2016-2017 models) that many users do not know of or they do it after spending a fortune on their new equipment.
Conclusion
Is it worth upgrading? The answer still depends on the budget we have and especially on the room in which we are going to install the equipment.
If we can have a dedicated or semi-dedicated system with the possibility of installing additional speakers on the ceiling and walls, we can consider buying a compatible amplifier.
Otherwise, it may be more profitable for us to bet on an older receiver (between two to four years old) at a good price or continue with what we already have at home.
Non-English speakers can enjoy the latest releases on Blu-ray and Blu-ray UHD with significant improvements compared to dubbed audio tracks. Otherwise, Dolby Atmos and the elusive DTS: X remain more of a utopia than a reality for the Non-English speaking consumer.