Q: My Panasonic TC-P50ST30 plasma TV is getting a bit long in the tooth, so I purchased a Sony A8H OLED to upgrade to 4K. Back in 2011, I added an Onkyo TX-SR604 receiver (on your recommendation), along with a Paradigm 6.1 surround speaker set to create my home theater system. Will the Onkyo be capable of passing the 4K signal from my Dish Hopper set-top box to my new TV? And if I upgrade my receiver, should I get Dolby Atmos? I was looking at the NAD T758 V3 receiver, and it looks great, but it's very expensive at $1,499.
To create an Atmos system, I also would have to purchase at least two ceiling speakers. The Paradigm ceiling speakers are pretty expensive. Amazon sells the Micca M-8C ceiling speaker for only $40 each, and it has received good reviews. Would those be OK for Atmos speakers?
A: For starters, your Onkyo will not process a 4K signal, so you will need to upgrade your receiver. Because you've been happy with your Onkyo, I recommend you check out the Onkyo TX-NR595, widely considered the best mid-price choice. They are in short supply, but Costco has them for $399 and onkyousa.com has units for $419.
The NAD T758 V3 is outstanding in all respects. It has seven channels of potent amplification that can drive one center channel speaker, two front speakers, two surround speakers and two Atmos speakers. This configuration is called 5.1.2, the 5 standing for the normal five-speaker set, the 1 for the subwoofer connection and the 2 for the Atmos speakers. A 7.1.4 Atmos system would have seven speakers with a subwoofer and four Atmos speakers.
The NAD T758 V3 also includes Dirac, one of the best automatic setup and room correction systems. It is definitely worth the $1,499 price. I've used NAD gear for decades and have never been disappointed. (nadelectronics.com)
Finally, a word about Dolby Atmos for readers who might not be familiar with it. I've seen more and more inquiries lately about home theater systems with receivers and speakers, and while I love the simplicity of soundbars and their capabilities get better every year, they still cannot match a receiver paired with good speakers placed around the room.
Dolby Atmos is a surround format. In addition to the normal set of front, center and surround speakers, it employs speakers placed above to radiate downward toward the listeners, or pointed upward to bounce sound off the ceiling.
I was a bit skeptical of Atmos when it first came out because I thought home surround systems were complex enough for the average consumer to deal with. But Atmos creates an incredibly immersive surround field that locates objects with 3-D sonic precision. I have an Atmos soundbar with wireless Atmos surround speaker, and while it is very immersive, I do not get quite the same experience as I do with a system using ceiling speakers.
The Miccas will do fine for Atmos speakers.
Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.
