Sonos arc and In-Ceiling Set

Hi!

I have arc, sub, 2 One SL speakers.

Because I have 15 feet tall ceilings - arc’s upwards firing speakers don’t do anything to get me decent overhead sound. To overcome it, I want to add 2-4 ceiling speakers (amp). Will such setup provide me with true DD+/Atmos in the end? I read conflicting opinions about it. 

thank you!

Alex

You can already get “true DD+/Atmos” with your current setup. Your high ceiling and the limitations of upward firing drivers from a sound bar just limits the amount of overhead effects you can hear.

The maximum setup you can have with the Arc is a 5.2.2 setup that includes the Arc, two Subs (one must be Gen 3), and two rear surround speakers. You cannot add any more to this setup. So adding an Amp powering 2-4 ceiling speakers wouldn’t work.

If you want a Dolby Atmos setup with convincing overhead effects, you need to go with a traditional Dolby Atmos AV receiver that allows you to connect a dedicated speaker for each channel. This would allow you to install in-ceiling speakers to produce the height channel effects you are looking for.

Have you adjusted the height audio level of the Sonos Arc in the Sonos app? How far are you seated from the Arc?

So has anyone tried the stand One route vs the Amp ceiling speaker route for a Arc/Sub setup? Is it just personal preference? The reason I ask is that I currently have the One rear set up but have non Sonance overhead speakers available and set as rearsand could move some things around to use my Amp instead with those as rear. How about an official ruling on this. Ceiling is 8 foot standard. 

The suround audio channels should be coming from the sides at ear level, not from speakers above you.    Doesn’t mean you can’t break the ‘rules’ and enjoy it any way you want, but those are the rules.

Thanks for the feedback. As is, so it shall be. My only other question is you say from the sides at ear level, not behind. Excuse my diagramming below but do you mean literally A or B as I always thought they were supposed to be behind?

    x One                                      x One                   Current A setup

<<<<<<<<<<Couch>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>      

OR

x One <<<<<<<<Couch>>>>>>>>>x One            Proposed B setup

Notes: Wall is directly behind Ones. Couch is a rounded 4+ cushioned couch where ends come forward about 6-9 inches and Ones sit right behind the ends but angled slightly to the middle. Also when couch ends are upright they block 2/3 inches of Ones but reclined they do not. In the B scenario are you saying to set them let’s say literally to the left and right of the couch so it would play in the right and left ear of the person on the ends? Just curious.

Ugh. That’s a bummer. I thought in-ceiling Sonos supports channel re-distribution once connected through amp. :(

To your point - 8 feet away from the arc. Height audio is at a max, but all it does for me is that I can hear crystal clear loud sound on the second and the third floor lol

Arc Atmos works tremendously well in the bedrooms that are 8 feet :(

Thank you for reply!

Sorry to jump in, but I have a Sonos Stands “B” set up. Idk if it’s “right” for One’s tho.

See the diagram below from Dolby.  This is the ideal though, as you can still get good sound if you place the speakers in different locations.  My surrounds are actually a foot behind and 2 feet above sitting level...but it’s the space I have to work with.

Where as my counterpoint is my setup tends to be more your proposed B setup, since the couch back is against the wall. It works for me. The surrounds are on stands, so they’re at ear level, though.

Technically, Danny (or Dolby) is right, but it’s your personal space, while they have suggestions, it’s your ears, your content that needs to be satisfied :)

Don’t worry so much about perfection in the eyes of the rest of the world, worry about what works for you and your ears :)

Edit: The nice thing about Sonos is you can experiment (although it’s slightly harder with ceiling speakers) with locations. 

So really the change that I would make would be more about shifting the rear Ones outside of being directly behind the couch to that 100/120 angle. Doesn’t really say how far away from the couch though. Interesting to see it doesn’t form a square with the fronts, although in the case of the Arc you making more of a triangle (or is it a trapezoid?).Guess I need to get my protractor out and review my geometry books… 

Or just use your ears, and see how each setup actually sounds to you :)