In large mix rooms where a wider sweet spot is desired (e.g., a room designed for collaborative review sessions), an extended speaker layout using Array Mode can improve sound coverage.

Array Mode, available exclusively in the Dolby Atmos Renderer application, allows you to augment a standard monitoring layout with additional side, rear, and/or overhead speaker pairs. Each set of additional speakers is grouped with its corresponding primary speaker into a single array, which the Renderer treats as one logical position for bed panning and as distinct positions for object panning. This approach expands coverage while preserving accurate spatial rendering.

Before designing an extended layout, it is essential to first optimize speaker positions for the base configuration (up to 9.1.6) using the Dolby Atmos Room Design Tool and the How to Design a Dolby Atmos Mix Room guide. 

This article explores three types of speaker arrays that can be deployed independently or in combination:

• Side Surround Arrays
• Rear Surround Arrays
• Overhead Speaker Arrays

For best results, maintain consistency in speaker make, model, and output level across the array to ensure tonal uniformity and coherent imaging.

 

Side Surround Arrays

To implement a side surround array, one or two additional pairs of speakers are positioned adjacent to the standard Ls/Rs positions. These additional speakers are labeled Ls1/Rs1 and Ls2/Rs2.

Ls1/Rs1 should be positioned at a horizontal angle between 70° and 95° from the center speaker, while Ls2/Rs2 should be positioned at a horizontal angle between 105° and 130° from the center speaker.

It is important to maintain a minimum separation angle of 15° between Lw/Rw and Ls1/Rs1, and between Ls2/Rs2 and Lrs/Lrs. Additionally, aim for uniform spacing between all adjacent speakers in the array, with a separation angle range between 15-20°.

 

Figure 1: Plan view diagram highlighting side surround speaker array positions

 

Ideally, all side surround speakers should be placed at seated ear height, which is assumed to be approximately 1.2 meters from the floor. If needed, speakers may be elevated up to 20°, but all speakers in the array should be mounted at a consistent height to ensure uniform panning and imaging.

The delay for each additional surround speaker in the array should be set to the same value as the primary speaker (Ls/Rs).

 

Rear Surround Arrays

The Rear Surround speaker position can also be augmented for increased coverage. Configurations may include one or two additional pairs of speakers (i.e., a total of two or three rear surround speakers per side).

A two-speaker rear surround array should use Lrs/Rrs and Lrs2/Rrs2 to maximize sound coverage. Lrs2/Rrs2 should be positioned at a horizontal angle between 135° and 160° from the center speaker, and a minimum separation angle of 15° should be maintained between the rearmost side surround speakers (Ls/Rs or Ls2/Rs2) and the Lrs/Rrs speakers, and between Lrs/Rrs and Lrs2/Rrs2.

 

Figure 2: Plan view diagram highlighting two-speaker rear surround speaker array positions

 

A three-speaker rear surround array should use Lrs/Rrs, Lrs1/Rrs1, and Lrs2/Rrs2. Lrs1/Rrs1 should be positioned with a horizontal angle between 135° and 145° from the center speaker. Lrs2/Rrs2 should be positioned with a horizontal angle between 150° and 160° from the center speaker.

Again, a minimum separation angle of 15° should be maintained between the rearmost side surround speakers (Ls/Rs or Ls2/Rs2) and the Lrs/Rrs speakers. Uniform spacing should be maintained between all speakers in the array, with 15-20° of separation between Lrs/Rrs and Lrs1/Rrs1, and Lrs1/Rrs1 and Lrs2/Rrs2.

 

Figure 3: Plan view diagram highlighting three-speaker rear surround speaker array positions

 

Like the side surrounds, all rear surround speakers should be placed at seated ear height (approx. 1.2 meters from the floor) but may be elevated up to 25° if needed.

The delay for each additional rear surround speaker in the array should be set to the same value as the primary speaker (Lrs/Rrs).

 

Overhead Speaker Arrays

Overhead speaker arrays, while uncommon, can be used to expand vertical sound imaging and coverage. You may include up to two additional pairs beyond the standard Top Front (Ltf/Rtf), Top Rear (Ltr/Rtr), and Top Middle (Ltm/Rtm) speakers. These additional speakers are labeled Top Front Heights (Lfh/Rfh) and Top Rear Heights (Lrh/Rrh) An x.1.8 layout includes either front or rear heights, while an x.1.10 layout incorporates both.

There should be at least 15° of separation between the main speakers (L/C/R) and the Front Height Surround speakers, and between the Rear Height Surround speakers and the Rear Surround speakers. Additionally, there should be at least 15° between the Front Height Surround speakers and the adjacent Top Surround speakers.

 

Figure 4: Side view diagram highlighting overhead speaker array positions

 

For best results, Top Height speakers should be installed at the same height as the Top Surround speakers and symmetry should be preserved between the left and right.