Before we discuss speaker wall plates, we need to address the issue of sound. More specifically, surround sound. When we do, what comes to most people’s mind is Dolby surround sound and quite rightly so. They are, without a doubt, a world leader in audio noise reduction and compression.
But did you know there is more than one type of Dolby surround sound speaker?
Let’s delve into Dolby Atmos. This groundbreaking technology, hailed by Dolby as a ‘revolution’ in cinema sound, now brings the same multidimensional experience to your home theatre. The versatility of this technology is inspiring, and we’re here to guide you through it.
Traditional Dolby surround sound speakers utilise speaker placement to create a 360-degree sound field for listeners. However, what Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers or the additional Atmos in ceiling speakers do is also direct the sound upwards. So, rather than just dealing with sound working in a 360-degree circle around the listener, it bounces sound off the ceiling, which gives it a truly 3-D feel.
These speakers come in two options: (i) integrated units that incorporate traditional speakers in addition to the Atmos technology, and (ii) add-on modules that only use the new Atmos elements that you would simply add onto your existing speaker set-up. This means the choice is between a brand-new, fully integrated setup or an add-on to your existing one.
Although two Atmos speakers would be enough to enhance your audio experience, the recommendation from the Dolby team is to use four speakers, if possible, for optimum results.
5.1.2 Set Up
The 5.1.2 setup utilises the standard 5.1 speaker recommendation from Dolby, with the addition of X2 Atmos-enabled speakers. If you are using Dolby-enabled speakers, then these should be placed on the front left and front right speakers, or installed in the ceiling above the listening position.
5.1.4 Set Up
The 5.1.4 setup utilises the standard 5.1 speaker recommendation from Dolby, with the addition of X4 Atmos-enabled speakers. If you are using Dolby-enabled speakers, they should be placed on the front left and front right, along with the rear left and right speakers, or installed in the ceiling around the listening position, as detailed below.
7.1.2 Set Up
Similar to the 5.1.2 setup, the 7.1.2 setup incorporates two additional speakers into the configuration. This adds an extra dimension to the surround experience, providing a fully 360-degree, 3D sound. The additional speakers can be used on the front left and right or installed in the ceiling as detailed below.
7.1.4 Set Up
Similar to the 7.1.2 setup, the 7.1.4 setup incorporates four additional speakers into the configuration. This adds dimension to the surround experience, providing a fully 360-degree, 3D sound. The extra speakers can be used on the front left and right, as well as the rear left and right, or installed in the ceiling, as detailed below.
9.1.2 Set Up
The 9.1.2 setup utilises the standard 9.1 speaker recommendation from Dolby, with the addition of X2 Atmos-enabled speakers. If you are using Dolby-enabled speakers, they should be placed on the front left and front right speakers, or installed in the ceiling around the listening position, as detailed below.
9.1.4 Set Up
The 9.1.4 setup utilises the standard 9.1 speaker recommendation from Dolby, with the addition of X4 Atmos-enabled speakers. If you are using Dolby-enabled speakers, they should be placed on the front left and front right, along with the rear left and right speakers, or installed in the ceiling around the listening position, as detailed below.
So, that’s the speakers and the setup options available, but how do you connect them all together?
Connection plates – also known as termination plates – are used in permanent AV installations. These plates enable equipment to be connected via panels, providing the added benefit of allowing multiple input devices to be connected from a single, easily accessible point.
We stock a variety of AV Wall Connection Plates for the most commonly used connections, along with a custom wall plate manufacturing service. This allows customers to customise their wall plates by selecting the appropriate connectors and wall plate. More specifically, our range of speaker wall plates for home cinema installations provides the perfect solution for surround sound installations, pairing perfectly with the Dolby Atmos range.
We use banana plugs to make connections between the speakers and the home cinema receiver via professional speaker wall plates and provide a single point of access for all devices and speakers.
A wide range of finish options is available on all our connection plates, including white or black plastic, Georgian or Edwardian brass, polished or brushed chrome, gunmetal black, and polished or brushed brass. This means there really is a speaker plate to match any decor, complementing your home cinema finish.
If you would like to discuss Dolby surround sound technology and the supporting speaker connection plates that we have available, you can call the experts today for free, independent advice. Therefore, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0800 669 6600 and speak with our AV experts today.
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