A2+ vs A1 for height/Atmos?

[ac2011]

Currently running a 5.2 + front height (Yamaha "presence") channels. Using regular full-size bookshelf speakers for the front height, wall-mounted using brackets which swivel to allow the speakers to be toed-in and angled down toward the MLP.

My receiver can also support rear height/presence channels (without considering Atmos), which I have long considered adding. Moreover, I read that at least one on-wall angled speaker manufacturer advocates the use of on-wall angled speakers in the front and rear "height" positions as a preferable alternative to in ceiling, for Atmos (x.x.4), even though Dolby doesn't officially recognize this layout.

I've always thought the bookshelves looked a bit large and clunky, but that's what I had at the time (and match my LCR). Looking at the A1 and A2+ (and SVS Prime Elevation) as alternatives both for replacing the current front height and using as rear height. (Note, eventually could add a set of "center top" in-ceiling speakers to have a x.x.6 Atmos setup, as per the Atmos specs - 7.1.6, 9.1.6).

Obviously, the A1 are a little smaller and currently close to 1/2 the price of the A2+; but a nice advantage with the A2+ certainly seems to be the mounting bracket system (discussed in another thread). (For comparison, the SVS are actually similar height as the A1, slightly less wide, but a bit deeper - closer in depth to the A2+; and cost about double the A2+).

Another potential negative with the A1 - anyone with experience can chime in here - is the location of the binding posts, being on what would be the top in a wall-mounted use, which I would think would hinder the ability to get them really close to the ceiling?

So, I'm kind of wondering about the performance requirements of a height/Atmos speaker - is the A2+ overkill for this purpose?

Also, a little bit concerned/interested about whether the ribbon tweeter design would mesh well with my current Boston speakers (silk dome tweeter), or any speaker I might eventually upgrade to that isn't a ribbon tweeter.


Any thoughts appreciated.



EDIT: After posting this, I found another potential alternative in the Polk Audio OWM3 (there is/was also a slightly larger OWM5, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore). The compact depth of them (just over 4 inches) makes them intriguing to me because they could be used on my side walls, where I'm looking to replace bipoles with direct radiators.

[cawgijoe]

The SVS Prime Elevations are very nice speakers. SVS does a great job. Having said that, I would likely go with the A2. They look well made and thought out.
The current price is excellent . As to the tweeter, I would not worry about it. I don’t think they will be detrimental to your sound quality.

[ttocs]

Aug 23, 2023 12:25:37 GMT -5 ac2011 said:

Moreover, I read that at least one on-wall angled speaker manufacturer advocates the use of on-wall angled speakers in the front and rear "height" positions as a preferable alternative to in ceiling, for Atmos (x.x.4), even though Dolby doesn't officially recognize this layout.

Whether mounted on a wall or ceiling, Dolby ATMOS is all about the angle from MLP.

If my MLP (Main Listening Position) is 9 feet from the front wall, I could mount speakers on the front wall where the wall meets ceiling and be at the 30º minimum angle as shown in Dolby ATMOS setup guides. I could setup the locations of these wall mounted speakers as Front Tops in the processor.

The fact that speakers are mounted on a wall or ceiling is irrelevant. A room that doesn't allow for "exact" placement is also not really relevant. There are ways of working with what one has to work with. Enjoyment is much more important, so close enough is close enough if one doesn't want to mount speakers on a ceiling or thinks it may not be safe to do so.

I mounted speakers, normally intended for wall mounting, on the ceiling. These speakers have a threaded mounting insert which I was able to utilize by screwing in hooks and then using eyebolts screwed into the ceiling. Depending on the speaker involved there can be various methods of adjusting the angle of the speaker. Below is how I did it. Using the threads of the eyebolts and eye-to-eye turnbuckles I am able to adjust the angle to virtually any I need. They have been mounted this way for about 3 years now. Yes the wires are exposed because my cathedral ceiling is the roof so I didn't want to carve into the insulation (which would lead to ice dams in Winter due to my roof only being 2x8 rafters!) to mount recessed speakers. 


With all of what I've said above, if one were choosing speakers for ATMOS Tops (and didn't already have speakers to use like shown in the photo), I would recommend using speakers with a solid low end frequency range. Mine are said to be able to go as low as 70Hz, but the 4" woofers just don't. I can't crossover lower than 120Hz with any success. 4" drivers just aren't capable at high enough output. So, if I were starting fresh and didn't already have speakers mounted on the ceiling, I would get speakers that can REALLY go lower than 80Hz, which really means using at least 6" drivers - which still doesn't mean they can really go that low effectively, but the hope is that the crossover setting would be lower than 100Hz.