Rear overheat atmos - next to rear wall?

[seewhatididther]

I’m currently running 5.2.2 in the basement with the classic “couch is a foot away from the rear wall” configuration. So it’ll always be a bit compromised. Would it be worth/effective upgrading to 5.2.4 if it means the new rear overheads (#7 in the diagram) would be a foot behind MLP (at most) and up against the rear wall? My bed-layer rears (#5 in the diagram) are already hanging on the rear wall angled in slightly toward MLP, so these new #7s would basically be above them - though I could space #7s closer or further together than #5s if that helps. I’m out of channels on my Anthem MRX740 with the current setup, so I’d probably add a new amp for the LCR in order to free up 2 of the AVR channels for the new overheads. So it’d be expensive but I’d make it happen (eventually) since we’ll be staying in this house awhile.

Thanks,
Travis

 

[olds1959special]

maybe something with a front-firing bass port and/or low trim adjustment if they are going to be too close to a wall.

 

[BJL]

I’m currently running 5.2.2 in the basement with the classic “couch is a foot away from the rear wall” configuration. So it’ll always be a bit compromised. Would it be worth/effective upgrading to 5.2.4 if it means the new rear overheads (#7 in the diagram) would be a foot behind MLP (at most) and up against the rear wall? My bed-layer rears (#5 in the diagram) are already hanging on the rear wall angled in slightly toward MLP, so these new #7s would basically be above them - though I could space #7s closer or further together than #5s if that helps. I’m out of channels on my Anthem MRX740 with the current setup, so I’d probably add a new amp for the LCR in order to free up 2 of the AVR channels for the new overheads. So it’d be expensive but I’d make it happen (eventually) since we’ll be staying in this house awhile.

Thanks,
Travis

Yes in a 5.x.4 system the top rear roughly line up with the surrounds, and yes it is a worthwhile upgrade to go from 5.x.2 to 5.x.4. Four height speakers is the minimum number of height positions to take advantage of what Atmos has to offer. Many (though by all means, not all) Atmos mixes will require all four height speakers for positional accuracy. Your system DSP will take care of getting the levels correct, and it won't matter that the rears are not far behind the main listening position. If the overhead speakers are against the rear wall you might consider defining (in your processor) as rear height, not top rear.

My comment applies for both Atmos music and movies/tv. Even in the case of the height speakers carrying mostly ambience, you will get improved positional imaging with four speakers.

As a recent music example, Steve Wilson's 2025 Atmos remix of the Rolling Stones Black and Blue makes frequent use of front vs. back positions. As a TV show example, virtually all of the Apple TV productions have audio mixed assuming four height speakers.

 

[seewhatididther]

maybe something with a front-firing bass port and/or low trim adjustment if they are going to be too close to a wall.
maybe something with a front-firing bass port and/or low trim adjustment if they are going to be too close to a wall.

I’ll probably get another pair of these Elac overheads, as they’re what I have for my for my front overheads: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_970ICDT61/ELAC-Debut-IC-DT61-W.html
They’ll face down from the ceiling as shown in this attachment. And I’ll use the 30-degree angle of the drivers to push the cone of sound just slightly away from the back wall and toward the center of the room, toward the MLP. It’s all the reflections off the back wall that concern me.