Dolby Laboratories Atmos Instruction sheet

Dolby Atmos®Home Theater
Installation Guidelines
September 2014
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Contents
1. Background on Dolby Atmos
2. General Dolby Atmos Home Setup Guidelines
Dolby Atmos Home Playback
Dolby Atmos Home Theater Speaker Options
Overhead Speakers
Alternatives to Overhead Speakers
Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers
Use of Existing Speakers
Combination: Overhead and Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers
Use of Existing Overhead Speakers
3. Standard Speaker Configurations
Dolby Conventions for Speaker Configurations
Standard Setup for Both Overhead Speakers and Dolby Atmos
Enabled Speakers
4. Additional Speaker Placement Guidelines
Listener-Level Speaker Placement Guidelines
Overhead/Height Speaker Placement Guidelines
5. Dolby Surround Upmixer

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1. Background on Dolby Atmos
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Many leading Hollywood movies, including recent Academy Award®winning films,
are presented in Dolby Atmos®, as this revolutionary sound technology allows
filmmakers unprecedented realism and creative freedom. With Dolby Atmos, content
creators can precisely place and move sounds almost anywhere, including overhead,
to create a multidimensional listening experience.
Dolby Atmos technology is now available for the home and will produce a
multidimensional listening experience never before experienced in a home theater.
And you’ll get a great immersive experience, no matter what kind of Dolby Atmos
home theater setup you have. Dolby Atmos content is mixed as audio objects instead
of traditional channels. This means the content is not tied to any specific playback
configuration. Further, the technology automatically adapts the object audio to take
full advantage of the number and placement of your speakers, from systems with
five speakers on the floor and two speakers producing overhead sound to a Dolby
Atmos system with as many as 24 speakers on the floor and 10 overhead speakers.
Figure 1: At left is a Dolby Atmos system with five speakers on the floor and two overhead speakers; at
right is a Dolby Atmos system with up to 24 speakers on the floor and 10 overhead speakers.
Additionally, a new Dolby surround upmixer allows for legacy channel-based content
that has not been mixed for Dolby Atmos to be expanded to fill the flexible speaker
layouts of a Dolby Atmos system.

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These installation guidelines are intended to be a resource for integrating Dolby
Atmos into a home theater system and unlocking the potential of this revolutionary
audio format. Details include use of conventional overhead speakers and Dolby
Atmos enabled speaker technology, which enables you to architect a system capable
of reproducing overhead sound, even if you’re not able to put speakers in or on a
client’s ceiling.

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2. General Dolby Atmos Home Setup Guidelines
The following components are needed to set up a Dolby Atmos home theater system.
1. A source device to play Dolby Atmos content. Many existing devices will work.
2. A Dolby Atmos capable A/V receiver (AVR) or processor unit.
3. Speakers to reproduce overhead or height audio.
4. Speakers to reproduce listener-level audio. Note: In many use cases, the
customer’s existing speakers may be employed in a Dolby Atmos home
theater.1
Dolby Atmos Home Playback
Source device options to play or stream content
To experience this sound revolution, you’ll need a way to play or stream Dolby
Atmos content. There are two initial pathways into the home theater:
1. You can play Dolby Atmos content encoded on a Blu-ray Disc™ through an
existing Blu-ray Disc player. Be sure you have a recent player that’s fully compliant
with Blu-ray™ specifications.2
2. You can stream Dolby Atmos content from a compatible game console, Blu-ray, or
streaming media player.
In both cases, be sure to set your player to bitstream output and ensure secondary
audio functionality is disabled. Connect to your AVR using an HDMI®connection.3
Dolby Atmos capable AVR or processor
You’ll be able to assemble a system from a wide range of available A/V components,
starting with an AVR or pre-processor that supports Dolby Atmos decoding and
rendering. Leading AVR manufacturers are introducing products that support Dolby
Atmos playback for the home.
1With the exception of the center and center surround speakers, all speakers in a Dolby Atmos playback
system (listener level, overhead, Dolby Atmos enabled) must be added in pairs.
2 You will not need to replace your Blu-ray player as long as it fully conforms to the Blu-ray specification.
Current-generation Blu-ray players, and most recent players, are compatible. You should check with the
Blu-ray player manufacturer if you encounter problems.
3Decoding and rendering of Dolby Atmos content is managed entirely by the AVR. To properly pass the
Dolby Atmos audio to the AVR, source devices must be connected to the AVR via HDMI 1.4 or later and
set to audio bitstream out. For Blu-ray players, the secondary audio mixing option must be disabled.

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Many installations currently have systems with a subwoofer and either five or seven
speakers positioned at about ear level. These speakers are referred to as the
“listener level” in this document. Any speaker type that is capable of accurately
representing a stereo pan is suitable to reproduce objects.
As in the past, the placement of all listener-level speakers should follow these
recommendations, which are based on ITU-R BS.775-3:
The speakers located in the front of the room shall be used as a reference
point. All speakers in the listener plane should ideally be equidistant from the
listener position. If this is not possible, compensating for distance may be
used to time align the arrival of audio from each speaker to the listener.
All listener speakers should be at the same height, typically 3.9 feet (1.2
meters), which is ear level for the average seated listener (as defined in ITU-
R BS.1116-1).
If possible, the height of the rear speakers should be the same as the height of the
front speakers. If the room design makes this impractical, or impossible, the rear
speakers may be higher than the front speakers. However, it is suggested that the
height of the rear speakers should not be more than 1.25 times the height of the
front speakers.
Overhead Speakers
Overhead sound is a vital part of the Dolby Atmos experience. There are a variety of
options for adding this capability to a room.
One solution is to install speakers overhead. Most high-power, full-frequency
conventional overhead speakers with wide dispersion characteristics will work in a
Dolby Atmos home theater.
Characteristics
Dolby Atmos audio is mixed using discrete, full-range audio objects that may move
around anywhere in three-dimensional space. With this in mind, overhead speakers
should complement the frequency response, output, and power-handling capabilities
of the listener-level speakers. Choose overhead speakers that are timbre matched as
closely as possible to the primary listener-level speakers. Overhead speakers with a
wide dispersion pattern are desirable for use in a Dolby Atmos system. This will
ensure the closest replication of the cinematic environment, where overhead
speakers are placed high above the listeners.

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Mounting considerations
If the chosen overhead speakers have a wide dispersion pattern (approximately 45
degrees from the acoustical reference axis over the audio band from 100 Hz to 10
kHz or wider), then speakers may be mounted facing directly downward. For
speakers with narrower dispersion patterns, those with aimable or angled elements
should be angled toward the primary listening position.
Room treatment considerations for use of overhead speakers
For optimal performance, the overhead speakers should be at least two times the
height of the listener’s ear level (this generally applies to on-ceiling speakers, which
may be installed lower than the actual ceiling height).
Sound-absorbing and sound-diffusing treatment for handling reflections from the
walls, floor, and ceiling are recommended to improve sound quality and reduce
unwanted audio reflection.
Alternatives to Overhead Speakers
Installing overhead speakers may not be possible or desirable for your client.
Installing speakers overhead and running the necessary wiring can be expensive and
time consuming. If your client rents the home, the property owner may not allow it.
And if the ceiling is made of a material such as concrete or brick, installing speakers
overhead may not be possible. Finally, your client may not like the look of overhead
speakers.
Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers
Through our knowledge of psychoacoustics and sound physics, we’ve developed
speakers that can create overhead sound even though they’re only a few feet off the
floor. Dolby specifies filtering characteristics for these speakers that amplify the
perception of sound originating overhead. Employing a predetermined angle of
incidence in the speaker cabinet, the speakers direct sound upward, where it reflects
off the ceiling to produce an incredibly accurate and lifelike recreation of overhead
sound. The performance of Dolby Atmos enabled speakers must be experienced to
be believed.

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Figure 4: Dolby Atmos enabled add-on modules include only upward-firing speakers. You can place them
on top of your traditional front-firing speakers or on another surface near them.
Comparison to overhead speakers
Dolby Atmos enabled speakers produce slightly more diffuse overhead audio that is
quite lifelike and, in some cases, may be preferable to the sound that originates from
overhead speakers.
If your ceiling is low or you have to mount your loudspeakers on overhead trusses or
brackets, overhead speakers may be too close to you as you listen. The audio may
be distracting because you’ll hear, directionally, what each speaker is producing
instead of feeling immersed in an atmosphere in which sounds occur naturally
overhead.
In this environment, Dolby Atmos enabled speakers may be a better solution for
reproducing the height plane of sound you would hear in a cinema, where the
overhead speakers are located high in the auditorium, and are naturally creating a
more diffuse experience. Audio mixers and experts who have auditioned Dolby
Atmos enabled speakers agree that the sound these speakers produce can be
preferable to the sound of dedicated overhead speakers.
Dolby Atmos enabled speaker positioning
Dolby recommends installation of four Dolby Atmos enabled speakers whenever
possible. Use of four speakers will make the placement of overhead sounds more
accurate, and you’ll get more precise, realistic sounds when an object, such as a
helicopter, passes overhead. Two of the speakers (whether they are integrated

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speakers or add-on modules) should be in the front left and front right speaker
locations of your system. The other two should be positioned in the surround sound
speaker locations, ideally at the rear surround speakers, if you have them.
If using only two Dolby Atmos enabled speakers, place the Dolby Atmos enabled
speakers at the front left and front right speaker locations. Note: With the exception
of the center and center surround speakers, all speakers in a Dolby Atmos playback
system (listener level, overhead, Dolby Atmos enabled) must be added in pairs.
Dolby Atmos speakers should be located in the front left and right and left rear
surround and right rear surround locations in a 7.1.4 playback system.
Placement height
For optimal effect and to minimize direct radiating audio at listener level, place Dolby
Atmos enabled speakers at or slightly above the height of your ears when seated.
Avoid placing the Dolby Atmos enabled speakers higher than one-half the height of
your wall.
Placement relative to listeners
To avoid an unwanted proximity effect, make sure the speakers are at least 3 feet
(0.9 meter) away from listening positions, ideally 5 feet (1.5 meters) or more. This
distance may potentially be less if the upward-firing driver(s) of the Dolby Atmos
enabled speaker is placed well above the level of the closest listener’s head.
Positioning of add-on modules
If you’re using add-on modules, place them either on top of your front and surround
(ideally, rear surround) speakers or within 3 feet (0.9 meter) of those speakers.
Dolby Atmos enabled speakers should be mounted horizontally so that the driver is
facing toward the ceiling.
Room treatment considerations for use of Dolby Atmos enabled speakers
For optimal performance, the ceiling should be flat (not angled or vaulted), with a
height of 14 feet (4.27 meters) or less, and made of an acoustically reflective
material (drywall, plaster, hardwood, or another rigid, non–sound-absorbing
material). The ideal ceiling height is between 8 and 12 feet (2.44 and 3.66 meters).
Sound-absorbing and sound-diffusing treatment for handling unwanted reflections
from the walls and floor is recommended to improve sound quality and system
performance. When using Dolby Atmos enabled speakers, first audio reflection from

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the ceiling is desired; audio reflections from elsewhere within the room should be
avoided.
Bass management with Dolby Atmos enabled speakers
Be mindful to employ proper bass management when installing Dolby Atmos enabled
speakers in the customer’s system. Typically, these speakers are not full range, and
manufacturer documentation should be consulted for specific details on each model.
Integrated speakers may direct low frequencies intended for the elevation drivers to
the primary speakers; in other instances, including when modules are employed, you
will have to perform bass management in the AVR or pre-processor.
Use of Existing Speakers
Most existing speakers within current home theaters will work for Dolby Atmos
playback. Floor-standing, stand-mounted, on-wall, and in-wall speakers that
currently produce audio at the listener level can be complemented with overhead
speakers and/or Dolby Atmos enabled speakers to generate the height plane of
overhead sounds. If the AVR or pre-processor supports them, more speakers may
also be added at listener level to add greater precision to object audio placement and
movement. With the exception of the center and center surround speakers, all
speakers must be added in pairs in a Dolby Atmos playback system.
Front height mounted speakers
Most AVRs will support the use of front height (Dolby®Pro Logic®IIz) mounted
speakers with Dolby Atmos playback; however, Dolby recommends the use of either
overhead or Dolby Atmos enabled speakers to create the most lifelike and enveloping
audio experience. Front height speakers may be used in conjunction with overhead
speakers in larger room installations that can support a greater number of
overhead/height outputs.
Combination: Overhead and Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers
In some instances, a home theater system may already have overhead speakers that
can be used to generate overhead audio. In this case, Dolby Atmos enabled speakers
may be used to complement existing overhead speakers to create a full, four-
speaker height experience. If existing overhead speakers are in the front of the
room, then Dolby Atmos enabled speakers may be used in the rear of the room and
vice versa.

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Use of Existing Overhead Speakers
In some existing home theater systems, overhead speakers are employed to
generate audio that would otherwise be created by listener-level speakers (for
example, left/right surround speakers). When transitioning to Dolby Atmos, existing
overhead speakers should only be repurposed as overhead outputs if a
corresponding listener-level speaker can be added to assume the previous overhead
speaker feed.
For example, if two overhead speakers located toward the rear of the room are
currently used to reproduce left/right surround outputs, they should be used as
overhead speakers only if replacement left/right surrounds can be added at the
listener level. If this is not possible, the overhead speakers should continue to be
used for left/right surround outputs. In this case, overhead sound can be achieved
by installing additional overhead speakers, Dolby Atmos enabled speakers, or
modules in the front speaker locations.

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3. Standard Speaker Configurations
Dolby Conventions for Speaker Configurations
With the debut of Dolby Atmos, there is a new method of referring to surround sound
speaker configurations (see the “Dolby Atmos for the Home Theater” white paper for
more details). It is based on the standard nomenclature (stereo, 5.1, and 7.1) but
adds a number at the end to specify the number of height speakers you employ in
the playback system (for example, 7.1.4).
While manufacturers may decide to support more than one subwoofer output, Dolby
Atmos technology generates a single low frequency effects (LFE) signal. Figures 5, 6,
and 7 show the most common speaker layouts in a Dolby Atmos system for home
theater.
Figure 5: A traditional 7.1 speaker layout with four Dolby Atmos enabled speakers (7.1.4).
Figure 6: A traditional 5.1 speaker layout with four overhead speakers (5.1.4).

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Figure 7: A traditional 5.1 speaker layout with two Dolby Atmos enabled speakers (5.1.2).
Standard Setups for Both Overhead Speakers and Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers
Images of standard setups follow for the most common speaker configurations and
are provided for both overhead speakers and Dolby Atmos enabled speakers: 5.1.2
(Fig. 8, Fig. 9), 5.1.4 (Fig. 10, Fig. 11), 7.1.2 (Fig. 12, Fig. 13), 7.1.4 (Fig. 14, Fig.
15), and 9.1.2 (Fig. 16, Fig.17).

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
Figure 8: Standard 5.1.2 setup with overhead speakers.

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Figure 9: Standard 5.1.2 setup with Dolby Atmos enabled speakers.

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Figure 10: Standard 5.1.4 setup with overhead speakers.

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Figure 11: Standard 5.1.4 setup with Dolby Atmos enabled speakers.

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Figure 12: Standard 7.1.2 setup with overhead speakers.