Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Matching Atmos Speakers for existing Meridian DSP Speakers

I respectfully disagree with Longitude0's answer to the OP's question. Based upon Longitude0's gear list in his signature, while he does own some very nice gear, he doesn't actually own an immersive audio capable pre-processor. Ergo he also must not have the several pairs of height speakers arrayed properly in front of and behind the main listening rows as per Atmos recommendations. So I'm not really understanding why he chose to weigh in here.

When properly decoded a great object based Atmos or DTS-X Bluray or 4k UHD soundtrack clearly benefits from the continuity of similarly voiced, similarly capable height and surround speakers. You want any adjacent pair of speakers (whether that adjacent pair being considered is in the horizontal or the vertical) to be able to form and float a believable image between them. Anyone arguing that a pair of mismatched in-ceiling speakers or the crap angled "Atmos modules" meant to be sited on top of your mains and bounce their output off a flat ceiling is reflective of best practice has been sorely misled. And like the first time the owner of a low mounted horizontal center channel (me!) hears the ideal identical vertical LCR front speaker trio and realizes how much better that works (Also me!!!), matching the overhead speakers to the mains and surrounds pays similar dividends.

Unfortunately Meridian doesn't currently appear to be investing in creating new immersive audio capable processor and loudspeaker products to match up with their existing active DSP loudspeakers. So I'm not really sure just what the way forward is for heavily invested Meridian HT fans. For me it has meant largely leaving the fold. At least in respect to the gear now being used in our music and theater "big rig". First the five DSP loudspeakers went for 5 identical ATC actives from their pro audio line-up. Then the 861v4 LPS was recently traded out for a current immersive audio capable Anthem pre-pro. And now I'm awaiting the arrival of four passive "install versions" of the ATC SCM12i pro monitors. They sport hard points on the rear to support wall or ceiling mounting and share the same tweeter and a similar mid-woofer to our five bed speakers. The new loudspeakers will mount on purpose made heavy duty K&M mounts and be driven by a pair of Meridian 557 power amps (the last Meridian pieces left in the room). The end result should be about as ideal a 5.1.4 single seating row install as is possible in my modestly sized dedicated music and theater room. We shall see...