Dolby Atmos in Our Showrooms

From the Lange Nacht der Ohren 2014 onwards, there has been the opportunity to gain a first impression of the new 3D-sound standard Dolby Atmos in our big home theatre. Meanwhile, we have upgraded further demonstration rooms with the appropriate speakers and AV receivers and we're now offering the chance to test out Atmos set-ups both with the ceiling speakers as well as with Atmos-enabled loudspeakers.

KEF T301

Created for your unobtrusive ceiling installation is the incredibly flat KEF T301. With these speakers, the principle of “maximum sound in minimal space” was successfully executed, the two mid/woofers (115 mm) and the tweeters (25 mm) bring a wide frequency range from 80Hz to 30KHz to the air. We have two screening rooms each equipped with a T301. Whatever the future holds for over-head technology, a pair KEF301 will always be an extremely appealing member of the gallery.

KEF T301 als Dolby Atmos Deckenlautsprecher

KEF T301 Deckenlautsprecher in der Nahaufnahme

KEF T301 in schwarz für eine Dolby Atmos Installation

Dolby Atmos Installation in unseren Heimkino-Studios

KEF R50

Another concept pursued were the Dolby Atmos-enabled KEF R50 speakers from the R-series. They’re put into surround-mode and the sound initially radiates upwards towards the ceiling and the sound finally arrives via indirect reverberations to the ear. Based on the highly successful KEF Uni-Q, a 25 mm tweeter and a 130 mm mid / woofer made of aluminum also form a broad band from 96 Hz frequencies between 19.5 KHz. This option is of course easier to install because ceiling installation is not required. In order to achieve a good result, additional factors such as the placement of the speakers according to the seating position, the ceiling height and the like, should also be given consideration.

KEF R50 Dolby Atmos Enabled Speaker

KEF R50 Dolby Atmos Modul ohne Cover

Our Conclusion

Based on our experience, we prefer the ceiling installation as it’s more flexible and sonically more convincing. The placement of the additional speakers is determined by the locations of the surround speakers and in turn additional shelves or stands are needed. Such a restriction does not take place with is not responsible for the positioning of ceiling speakers. Even if you are not totally sold on the ceiling, you’re always able to at least try out some alternatives and and eventually you will be able to determine the best possible result for the actual listening position. In addition, from a phonetic perspective succeed stretching the three-dimensional sound space with ceiling speakers better and individual sound events are more accurately determinable.

Dolby Atmos für's Heimkino



6 replies on “Dolby Atmos in Our Showrooms”

  1. Jim on

    May I ask how you attached your flat Kef’s to the ceiling please? I realise they slot on the screws but how do you make them stay in place? Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Yves Smolders on

    Hello,

    I also would like to know how you secured the T301’s to the ceiling and if the dispersion is good enough in your opinion.

    Reply
    • Florian on

      Hello, disperion ist best you can geht with this small depth.

      If it is possible the CI130QR is a better, but it needs 7,8 cm in ceiling depth…

      We don’t secured it, it sticks good enough.

      But if you wish, it is easy to secure it with a single screw or a piece of glue.

      Best regards,

      Frank Wollsiefen
      HiFi im Hinterhof

      Reply
  3. Dave on

    Hi Florian.
    The 301s look great. What speaker keads are you using on the ceiling please? They look very flat too.
    Also do the 201 and 101 sound good on the ceiling?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Florian on

      Hi Dave, sorry for the late response. You can use the KEF 201 or 101 as well, but there will be an audible difference regarding the richness of the sound. A good amplifier might help to compensate for that – at least to a certain degree. About the speaker leads: Nothing fancy here. Just standard good quality audio cables with some additional cable sheating to match them with the color of the ceiling. Best, Florian

      Reply
  4. André Zibaia on

    Hi,

    I have a pair of KEF T101s that I want to use as ceiling ATMOS speakers, also.

    I would really like to know how you secured them to the ceiling. I mean, I know they have their own slots, but how do they stay in place without the help of gravity?

    Thanks a lot!

    André

    Reply

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