Separates are worth it when you want maximum audio performance, long-term upgradeability, and you have a higher budget. Otherwise, an AV receiver delivers better value and simplicity. The trade-off comes down to one box …
You need exact numbers to place Dolby Atmos speakers well. In a 5.1.2 setup, mount two overheads at 45° elevation, or 65° from horizontal. A 7.1.4 layout uses four tops at 45° in front of and 135° behind the main …
Most rooms need only 20–50 watts per channel, far less than most people buy. The quick rule: small room = 20–50W, medium = 50–100W, large = 100–200W per channel with average-sensitivity speakers. Speaker sensitivity can …
You should prioritize eARC for audio. Add HDMI 2.1 only if you game at 4K/120. For most 4K HDR movie and streaming setups, HDMI 2.0 with eARC is enough. A receiver like the AT-500 8K Dolby Atmos processor covers these …