Now that I have an Atmos capable pre-amp (Marantz AV8802A), I finally got around to planning and doing an Atmos elevation speaker installation.
Selecting a speaker for this application was a multi-month process, as there are not a large number of options yet, and I wanted to get as effective a solution as possible, because ‘moving’ a speaker on the ceiling is rather a chore.
Matching the MartinLogans was another concern, and while I considered the ML Architectural series and some box models, I finally came down on the side of preferring to go with coaxial designs as having more pro’s than say, having the FoldedMotion tweeter.
Atmos elevation speakers have some pretty unique requirements, first is a controlled 100 to 120 degree conical dispersion pattern. Second, is good point-source, time-aligned mids and highs, which basically only coaxial speakers nail.
After researching many options on coaxes, I came down to liking KEF and JBL as my options. In the end, I picked the JBL SCS8 as my elevation speakers.
I believe KEF is probably the ‘HiFi’ answer, but the JBL is specifically designed for this application, has great efficiency and very good mounting flexibility.
The aesthetics work for me, since my ceiling and the first foot of sidewalls are painted flat black. Stuff just disappears up there
The other thing that swung it for me is that some of the highest regarded demos at CEDIA and other shows rely on this unit. My local Dolby Cinema also uses the SCS line for elevation speakers and I’ve always enjoyed the results.
So I have four of them in my garage, waiting to be mounted this weekend.
I’ll document the adventure of installing them in this thread. Plenty more to come along with plenty of pics and measurements.
So here is a pic of one of the new SCS8's in front of my Monolith. The SCS8 is a big unit, but Monoliths makes anything look small.
Selecting a speaker for this application was a multi-month process, as there are not a large number of options yet, and I wanted to get as effective a solution as possible, because ‘moving’ a speaker on the ceiling is rather a chore.
Matching the MartinLogans was another concern, and while I considered the ML Architectural series and some box models, I finally came down on the side of preferring to go with coaxial designs as having more pro’s than say, having the FoldedMotion tweeter.
Atmos elevation speakers have some pretty unique requirements, first is a controlled 100 to 120 degree conical dispersion pattern. Second, is good point-source, time-aligned mids and highs, which basically only coaxial speakers nail.
After researching many options on coaxes, I came down to liking KEF and JBL as my options. In the end, I picked the JBL SCS8 as my elevation speakers.
I believe KEF is probably the ‘HiFi’ answer, but the JBL is specifically designed for this application, has great efficiency and very good mounting flexibility.
The aesthetics work for me, since my ceiling and the first foot of sidewalls are painted flat black. Stuff just disappears up there
The other thing that swung it for me is that some of the highest regarded demos at CEDIA and other shows rely on this unit. My local Dolby Cinema also uses the SCS line for elevation speakers and I’ve always enjoyed the results.
So I have four of them in my garage, waiting to be mounted this weekend.
I’ll document the adventure of installing them in this thread. Plenty more to come along with plenty of pics and measurements.
So here is a pic of one of the new SCS8's in front of my Monolith. The SCS8 is a big unit, but Monoliths makes anything look small.