Surround sound and Dolby Atmos at home | DOYMO Sitges

Surround sound and Dolby Atmos: how to set it up at home

Surround sound is the sound that wraps around you: not only from the front, but from the sides and (with Dolby Atmos) from above. Set up properly, the difference from a stereo system is huge: the room disappears and you are inside the film. This guide explains, in plain words, what each number means and what you need to get it right.

What 5.1, 7.1 and Atmos mean

• 5.1: five speakers (front left, front right, centre, surround left and surround right) plus a subwoofer for bass. It is the basis of home cinema.
• 7.1: like 5.1 with two more surround speakers. It gives a bigger sense of space in large rooms.
• Dolby Atmos: adds speakers above you (in-ceiling or up-firing). Rain, a plane or a helicopter then come from above and move around. It is written 5.1.2 (two height speakers) or 5.1.4 and 7.1.4 (four height speakers).

The two ways to fit height speakers

• Ceiling speakers (in-ceiling or surface): the best option if the ceiling can be opened. They blend in and the sound arrives exactly from where it should.
• Up-firing speakers: they sit on top of the front speakers and bounce the sound off the ceiling. The solution when building work is not possible.

How to set up a room properly

1. Atmos-compatible receiver: it distributes the sound.
2. A centre speaker in the same range as the fronts: dialogue comes through it; a weak centre ruins the whole film.
3. Subwoofer and calibration: distances, levels and bass are adjusted to your room. Without calibration the same equipment sounds far worse.
4. Acoustic treatment: controlling the room's reverberation is as noticeable as moving up a speaker range.

How many speakers do I need?

In a living room, a well set up 5.1.2 is impressive. In a dedicated room a 7.1.4 pays off. On a tight budget it is better to start with a good 5.1 and add the height speakers later: choosing the right receiver lets you expand without replacing everything.

Mistakes we see almost every time

• Front speakers too close together (they sound like one).
• Ceiling speakers placed in front instead of above the listening position.
• Good equipment left uncalibrated, with the subwoofer untuned.
• Bare rooms (hard floor, plain walls): the sound bounces and muddies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 5.1 and Dolby Atmos? 5.1 plays around you; Atmos adds sound above you, so it also comes from overhead.

Do I need building work for Atmos? Not always: up-firing speakers achieve it without touching the ceiling. If the ceiling can be opened, in-ceiling speakers work better.

Will my current equipment work? It depends on the receiver. We check on site: often you only need to add the height speakers and adjust.

Should I spend on speakers or on acoustic treatment? It depends on the room. In bare rooms, treating the acoustics is more noticeable than moving up a range.

Where we install

Sitges, Garraf, Castelldefels, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Vilafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Badalona, Sant Cugat, Terrassa, Tarragona, all of Catalonia and the rest of Spain.

Tell us what your room is like and what you want to achieve, and we will tell you what you need. Visit us at C/ Jesús 48, Sitges or message us on WhatsApp at 667 41 59 87: open WhatsApp.

More information: Home Cinema · Home cinema speakers · Acoustic treatment · Room control with RTI.