Thoughts on Atmos Speaker Locations with Ceiling Obstruction

[Open Mind Audio]

I'm interested in thoughts and suggestions on Atmos speaker placement for my home theater room. I'm adding 4 ceiling speakers as I redo the room for a revised 5.1.4 setup.

My quandary is how to place the ceiling speakers in light of a ceiling soffit that divides off one side of the room. The soffit comes down 15 inches from the ceiling and it's 11 inches wide, flanked by another 7 inches of ornate trim on each side (see photos). If I place the right-side ceiling speakers inside of the soffit, they will be about 8 to 8.5 feet apart, which will be narrower than the mains. If I place the right-side ceiling speakers on the far side of the soffit, I can gain a wider spread of about 13-14 feet, but the soffit may interfere with the soundd, though hopefully that would be very minor.

Anyone have thoughts on which arrangement will work better: Wider dispersion on the other side of the soffit or narrower dispersion within? Aesthetics are not an issue, as I'm already putting 4 speakers in the ceiling one way or another.

PS - The TV, center, and mains are at present centered around the wall where they are placed. For the redo, I'm thinking I will shift them to the center line of the room. Also, for those curious, these will all be KEFs: Q-Concerto mains and surround, Q 600 center, and Ci30ERs for the ceiling.

 

[Curvature]

I would choose the wider position regardless. The main consideration is if there is direct line of sight to the speaker from the listening position. If not, consider hanging speakers instead of ceiling-mounted. Hopefully that wouldn't cause a decor problem.

 

[Oddball]

Especially with in-ceiling speakers not sure why are you even considering placing them in the "hallway".

In general, in ceiling Atmos are supposed to be a more narrow spread compared to mains.

 

[Open Mind Audio]

Getting some opposing views - I like it. When I get home this evening I'll figure out the line-of-sight angles from the MLP to each speaker. Sounds like that info may help.

Given that the ceilings are 10 feet high, it looks like a 16-foot spread would nail it for a 45-degree elevation from the central listening spot, assuming ear height of 40".

 

[Oddball]

Just to make sure I am not calculating your angles. Just providing common sense not to override a ridge that will likely catch some of the signal.

I never went with in-celing Atmos for the very reason it is not adjustable for the most part.

 

[BJL]

I wouldn't worry about the soffit. Dirac or whatever you use for calibration will compensate for it if needed. Just take a look at the Dolby drawing for speaker placement of a 5.1.4 set up and follow that.

 

[Open Mind Audio]

I got some additional information at the AVS Forum. Short version: I'm going to focus on the viewing distance and then the placement of my mains, and after those are set, I'll come back to determine the best spot for the Atmos speakers. I'll likely be bringing the couch forward 2-3 feet. Glad I'll be doing this witih the new KEF bookshelfs instead of my former towers, which would not play well so close to the MLP.

Lots to calibrate and adjust - hopefully I'll have options settled in a couple of weeks.