Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Dolby Atmos for Home Theater

Onkyo announced a unit:

Onky atmos system

New input card with HDMI 2.2 and the needed processing and another SpeakerLink output card

Or a HD622 perhaps

I am not sure about this but in order to license new intellectual property (IP) you need :

1) a budget

2) desire (or will) to achieve something new you couldn't without it

3) target customers willing to upgrade to pay you for the privilege of using the new IP

4) yes, in this market, content that requires new IP

5) lawyers

6) engineers to build new solution with new IP

Meridian products have a looooong upgrade cycle, but they are well built and extensible so I am hoping that there is enough #1 so they can hire #6 and #5 so we (customers) can buy #3 and #4's to play #4 on our #3's in our HT's and living rooms.

Active speakers in\on the ceiling may pose quite a challenge to all but the most dedicated HT rooms

I have seen a image on a other forum, and the ceiling speakers seem rather flat boxes, so midrange and high only.
They seem to fire down, and have wide spread and are above left, right and in between side left/side rear, side right/rear right.

This youtube video show it:



Mounting a DSP3100 facing down might be a challenge indeed

We already had such or similar systems even in better quality like DVD-A 2+2+2.

It's another try to get money.

2+2+2 was never widely accepted. Not many titles, and at least 2 competing systems (but M processors support it)

3D audio in movies is something else, lots of titles already made or announced.
Unfortunately also in competing systems.

Dolby Atmos titles

Auro3D titles


Auro3d is from Barco basically, and that is one brand that delivers Cinema projection equipment, and they try to push this audio in for all installed cinema setups i guess.

DTS bought SRS and have CC3DA, and have their audio equipment already in many cinemas

Dolby is also installes in many cinemas.

Perhaps DTS/Dolby/SDSS are all in the same cinemas ?

If height channels have more impact than sides, then for the 861, a 5.1.2 system could probably be supported with just a firmware change. It may have to be analogue ceiling speakers for the medium(\long) term though.

I think that M's in-wall tech is about the only thing that works for a full Atmos install via M. As such, it seems a shame they cancelled the DSP 420 right when the market might need it the most! Based on what I have seen, fully Atmos installations calls for 11 or more similar sized speakers with front elevation, ceiling and then around the back and sides. Large traditional L/R isn't what you want. However, you do want a honking large sub, or collection of subs. For the front, you would want multiple elevations and then across the expanse of your screen, depending on size. Clearly traditional large L/R/C isn't what they are calling for.

Well if M is not announcing it and you want it, kick it all out and buy back what is needed

I did hear a set of newer in wall speakers (DSP640s?) last week. VERY impressive. In some ways I prefered them to the DSP7200s that were in the same room.

So M do have a potential solution.

I agree, they do have potential but I think the current offering of in walls would be too large to do a full 11 or more speaker installation. Not too mention somewhat cost prohibitive....

Also need more SpeakerLink connections in the back!


I wonder if in this application, active and not DSP speakers are the better alternative. Meridian has a legacy of active speakers as well. A full M Atmos rig with M active speakers would be sweet! It would shoot M back to the top of heap in home theater I would think.

Just thinking out loud.