Im only 5.1 so maybe my opinions dont count so whatever
I could not disagree more!
Share your observations without any apology!
There's no option to listen to spatial mixes except in the format they're made available to one's multi-channel system.
The Atmos spec mandates and brags that the object-oriented technology will deliver:
Best possible sound from theater to headphones (and everything in between)
Dolby Atmos adapts automatically to your audio device and system to give you a spatial sound experience...
This is the QQ forum, not a quad on the ceiling and eight on the floor home cinema forum.
This place has always been the welcoming big tent for listeners at any point on the experience, collection size & equipment "property ladder."
That should never change.
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I've used the great info shared by
@sjcorne and others to put together a fixed-income-retiree Mac-based Atmos 7.1.4 rig.
Using what I already have combined with affordable used & mid-fi parts, promising results so far, but...
It's made me realize most of what I own and will continue enjoy is quad and 5.1, or stereo upmixed in DPL.
The improvements I hear from more channels are incremental gains over the core 5.1 information.
7.1 mixes often dilute what's in one of the rear pairs compared to 5.1.
Same with heights in 7.4.1, though there are excellent counter-examples.
5.1 on a decent system is always a great experience with a good mix, light years beyond airpods and mid-fi sound bars.
5.1 to Atmos, maybe not so much of a quantum leap at this point in time.
Especially for the "overhead" of extra expense for someone not a spacious homeowner with theater or man-cave.
The price of new AVRs seem to increase by $1,000 for each additional pair of channels past 7.1.
The better investment could be upgraded ear-level speakers.
Possibly without trading your present ones, as they could be used later for extra channels as the AVR market evolves.
Just my 2 cents. YMMV.
