When it comes to budgeting for an Atmos capable processor I would carefully consider the FEATURES you need. Sometimes the difference between a flagship processor in a companies lineup and the next model down are the features rather than the sound quality. Why pay for a 16 channel processor if your room is maxed out at 9?
Do NOT Blow Your Entire Budget on Two Channel Audio
Yes, two channel audio is here, and is not going away. However, object based audio is delightful, widely available on Tidal and Apple Music, and should be in the listening room of every music lover on the planet, not just "audiophiles. If you plan to be a music fan a year from now start building your object based audio system today. You will need:
1) A receiver/processor capable of Dolby Atmos.
2) A subscription to Tidal or Apple music.
3) A Firestick, ATV, or Nvidia Shield.
4) A minimum of 7 timber matched speakers and a subwoofer.
Once you experienced stereo would you ever go back to only mono? No, you would build a system capable of either mono or stereo. Now that object based audio has arrived do the same thing. Build a system capable of mono, stereo, AND object based audio. When Elton John heard Rocket Man in an object based format for the first time why did he demand to convert his entire catalog to Atmos? If you don’t know, then you need to go listen to Rocket Man in a good Atmos setup ASAP.
So, take your budget, DIVERSIFY, and get a good Atmos capable receiver or processor. Object based audio is NOT last decades surround sound or home theater. It is for MUSIC first, if you need a recommendation on how to allocate your budget feel free to post a question. Most importantly, you don’t NEED two systems, one for music and one for movies. A good object based audio system can play two channel music just fine. A two channel system on the other hand can’t play object based audio without a proper processor or receiver.
Greg Penny talks mixing Rocket Man in Atmos.
https://youtu.be/ggzfcUKDqdo?feature=shared
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@nonoise :
I believe you are talking about the famous Cin Dyment. With his 20+ usernames all banned here. The famous dude in all audio forums there are including all Facebook audio groups.
While it did cross my mind, and I thought the same, I am still not sure it’s the same dude. Something does not sound right to place Cin Dyment’s signature on this guy’s posts, although the same rhetoric. Time will tell…
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I haven’t posted much about budgeting for receivers as they change so quickly. The general rule is the model that is about one level down from the flagship is usually the best bang for the buck. I think if you are more into movies a receiver is fine. There are some really high priced receivers that are billed as being able to do two channel very well. Personally I prefer active speakers and a good processor. I do have a man cave outfitted with nice 9 channel Onkyo receiver and some JBL speakers. It is nice for movies and casual listening actually very good and for the money it cost fantastic bang for the buck. But I can’t see it as more than a good "entertainment" system and I prefer to do critical listening in my media room. As for these new separate 9 and 11 channel amps, they might be great but it makes you wonder how a single power supply can swing all those channels. With 2 or 5 channel amps you need a rack of them. With active speakers that are internally biamped, active crossovers, and an all in one system designed by the engineer has so many advantages from a SQ perspective as well as a price advantage. |
ATMOS and other spatial audio is already taking off. It costs them nothing and can provide a better experience. Of course they are going to use and listen to it. As the mastering gets better, they won’t go back to flat 2-channel. The mad irony of your astute observation are the people who are complaining the most (at least in this thread) are the people who spent a LOT of money for that flat 2-channel. Rather than embrace the change and the mad rush of new adopters of atmos/spatial audio (over 80% of all apple music subscribers have tried it and its growing according to AAPL) and finally getting better quality audio they condemn it. I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they properly auditioned it in their own system. |
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