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Better Atmos Speakers? Yes. But Upgrade THIS First!

Poes Acoustics

5,829 views

Are expensive Atmos speakers worth upgrading? In this video, I answer a viewer who is considering replacing his Klipsch in-ceiling speakers with Perlisten models in a 7.2.4 home theater.
The Perlistens are unquestionably a more capable speaker—but that doesn’t necessarily mean the ceiling speakers are where the biggest improvement will come from.
I break down why speaker matching matters, what makes a higher-performance Atmos speaker better, and why the LCR and ear-level speakers usually have a much greater impact on the overall sound of a theater.
We’ll look at:
Why the Perlisten is a meaningful upgrade
Output, compression, directivity, and distortion
Why matching the entire speaker system matters
Why your LCR speakers should usually get priority
When upgrading Atmos speakers actually makes sense
Whether tearing apart a sound-isolated ceiling is worth it
The goal isn’t simply to buy the best speaker—it’s to spend money where it produces the biggest audible improvement.

Got questions about Home Theater, Acoustics, AV equipment, or the science behind it all? Drop them in the comments below, and I GUARANTEE to answer all the questions with a YouTube Super Feature "$THANKS" ($30 minimum) in an upcoming videos!

If you'd like to book a private acoustic consultation with me or are interested in purchasing top-tier Home Theater equipment, please visit our website: https://www.poesacoustics.com.

We proudly carry industry-leading brands like Perlisten, Real Acoustix, Trinnov, RTJ and more.

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16 Comments

@Zachary_Setzer-JD-MTWM-CTFA 6 days ago

Looks like this new approach to content is off to a very successful start. I hope you can keep it up!

@jmsteffen 3 days ago

I had been using the "bounce off the ceiling" Atmos speakers and recently (and reluctantly) upgraded them to in-ceiling Sonance VX80 series speakers on the advice of my local Hi Fi brick & mortar. I wasn't convinced that I would get the immersive experience due to my 12' ceilings. After setup and calibration I am very happy with the results. Movies sound great. These supplement my Sonus Faber Sonneto G2 series front/center setup with REL sub. Certainly "good enough for who it's for" and great WAF.

@fivokicksall 5 days ago

I run Revel PerformaBe LCR and front wides and Klipsch RP surrounds. That hit close to home...

@CSOCSO 6 days ago

%100 happy with my Klipsch RP system, and I know putting myself into car purchasing-level debt won't make me happier just because the speakers are sooo much better.

When you think it cannot be better, then you can treat your room properly and do a calibration and experiment with different target curves, and I mostly mean different high-frequency roll-offs.
You can try the default Dirac calibration, then try something with 2-3db roll off then 5db roll off.
And don't be surprised when you have to crank the volume a little higher and realize that somehow the system sounds clean and can be turned up louder (besides what the volume number shows)
Both room treatment and a processor that has a good calibration can be useful even if you decide to upgrade speakers.

@battousai412 4 days ago (edited)

Currently, all Perlisten s lcr. Would it be better to add s4s for front front wides or side and or rear surrounds? Im doing it all in pieces so temporary I was going to use old bpvx/p Definitely Technology or keep it all Perlisten s and adding them overtime. I did watch the whole video, im loving the new longer format, its alot more helpful and informative and i hope you keep it up.
Anyway, I kmow you put a hierchy order to upgrading in this video but I wasn't sure where that places front wides?!? I have older Definitely technology powered speakers i could still use for my surrounds if lcr then front wides would be prioritized over any side or rear surrounds? Or should one do lcr, then subs, then surround sides, surrounds rear, atmos heights, and last front wides? Guess my thinking is front wides would add to the most important lcr or if i should add bed layers surrounds atleast on sides or when best to add front wides? I currently, have perlisten s7t fronts, s7c center, and 2 d215s subs and just ordered a pair of s4s speakers...so where would they best best b placed until i order another pair or so?

@mkhaudio 6 days ago

All you say leads to 10 percent difference ,klipsch RP lines are excellent, 90 percent is room dedication. You must have terrible room for klipsch to sound bad and harsh. Test them in a proper room and you will love them

@RyanRager44 6 days ago

Spot on with everything as usual

@jacksherman5696 5 days ago (edited)

From my research the SVS Ultra Elevation’s are considered one of the best Atmos speakers you can get. Of course they are on ceiling not in ceiling but the included mounts worked really well. I went with SVS Titans, dual PB3000 R/evolution subs, Ultra bookshelf’s, Ultra Center and six Ultra Elevation two as rear surrounds, two as front height mounted on the ceiling and two as rear height mounted just behind the seats. Running it all with an Onkyo TX-RZ70

@stefanhartmann624 6 days ago

I like the Slides, it helped me to understand all better. 👍👍 Thanks for sharing this.

@hectorortiz8267 6 days ago

Great video. I'm with you on having the same speaker maker.

@Problmhouston 6 days ago

Well I am just going to forewarn you Matthew P. when you come to tune my Trinnov/Buckeye amps/Focal 1000 in-wall base layer/Klipsch in ceiling system take it easy on me.

@himtowell 5 days ago

I have a very similar system to the one you described trying to calibrate. KEF Ci3160RLM-THX for LCR, Klipsch in-walls (R-5800-W II) and in ceiling (CDT-5650-C II). It sounds great to my untrained ears, but I absolutely can hear a difference between the front stage and surrounds during pans. I am planning to upgrade my surrounds and tops to KEF at some point to match my LCRs.

@pandasupermind 6 days ago

You made a statement that the perlistens would play a lot louder than the klipsch, i don't know which klipsch he has but most perlisten ceiling speaker are rated at 89.7 (S3ic) and x2ic (90) db. They are 4 ohms speakers rated at 2.83v/1m not 1w/1m. So they are really only 86.7 and 87 db sensitive 1w/1m, which won't play a lot louder than most ceiling speakers.

@andreasmoller9798 5 days ago

I only need 2 channel no matter if it’s music movies or gaming. Arendal 1528 monitor 8 and Hegel h390 serve me very well

@huymammin5915 6 days ago

main thing in home cinema audio is amplifyers. A LOT OF GOOD GOOD AMPS. youre atmos auriosystems cost 10$ in China to make, and 300$ of commertials and benefits for resellers and couriers 😂 and you want MORE speakers at ceiling 😂 try to buy 2 good amps for stereo and compare that stereo scene in movie with all that atmos mode 🤣

@markyconfident 6 days ago

Klipsch "commodity speakers" hahaha yea ok my RP180 LCR in ceiling at $900 a piece are just junk right ! hahah its very obvious how far up the ass you are with free gear you get from perlisten. Also why do all you calibrators think everyone wants a dull boring ass flat sound??