SVS Prime Elevation Speakers - Pair (Premium Black Ash)

These speakers are excellent as height speakers in an Atmos/Surround system intended for music reproduction. I set up a 7.1.4 system using four SVS Elevation for the height speakers, and two SVS Elevation speakers for the rear surround. They are perfect for the purpose, and integrate nicely with and supplement my larger, main, L/C/R/Surround speakers using room/speaker eq software (Dirac Live). Measured frequency response was down to between 50 and 60 Hz (depending on location), consistent with the SVS specs.I've had them for several weeks, listening to a variety of styles, including rock, jazz, classical, techno, electronica, and these speakers sound fine for all genres and styles.Physical installation is straight forward using the included hardware and template. Thanks to the angled (about 20 degrees) baffle, a high wall mount works fine instead of risking your life installing on a ceiling. The instructions direct installing at least two of the mounting bracket screws into studs. In my house, the wall studs were not convenient for all speakers. Therefore, I installed a couple of speakers to drywall using zinc drywall anchors, and it worked just fine for me. I used #6 metal anchors with the screws provided by SVS (which are washer head, necessary).These speakers installed on a wall will not accommodate banana plugs, unless they are very small, I used a bare wire connection, which worked great. The bare wire holes will accept 10 or 12 gauge speaker wire with no problem. I used a socket wrench (gently) to get them nice and tight.The cosmetics for the black ash (actually vinyl) are good enough. The black ash version doesn't show fingerprints or other signs of handling. The surfaces have some texture, which is helpful when mounting. I've seen the SVS glossy black/white finishes, they are nicer, but the black ash vinyl has a fine, neutral appearance.Along with the speakers, you also get first class customer technical support. I pummeled SVS with numerous questions, and always received polite, and helpful responses, usually within one day of my email.These are fine supplemental speakers for Atmos height and back surrounds. They are very efficient and will not stress an AVR. Matching them to larger speakers is simple, either using software or making a manual adjustment by ear (I did both). The mounting hardware is a simple, intelligent design. The instructions enclosed are great, and SVS customer service is exemplary. These speakers are, in my opinion, a great value.

I did a lot of research on a Dolby ATMOS and various ATMOS speaker products prior to my purchase. The reflective type speakers that bounce sound waves off the ceiling were not convincing to me in their scope of operation. My sloped ceilings were also of concern for reflective speakers. When I came across SVS Prime Elevation Speakers and read how the speakers function in a home theatre environment, particularly in a Dolby ATMOS role I knew I found the proper solution. The resulting performance is just spectacular! Instead of relying on reflective sound wave ceiling bounce, the SVS Prime speakers project the sound directly into the listening area. The resulting ATMOS effects are spot on accurate. Another factor in my decision was noticing speaker types used in professional applications like movie theaters which use downward firing height speakers installed near the ceilings.I particularly enjoy playing Apple's Dolby ATMOS Spatial Audio music, WOW, the effects and accuracy of the tracks with my AVR system and the SVS Prime speakers are absolutely amazing, it literally feels like you're sitting in the middle of the band performing the song.While the SVS Prime speakers are in the premium price range I assure you they are worth it for the premium performance you will receive from these magnificent speakers. I also appreciate the premium build quality of the SVS Prime Speakers and how well they blend esthetically with my Definitive Technology Speakers. Now I just need to get my speaker wire into the wall, too hot for an attic trip in the desert summer of AZ.Dolby ATMOS performance notes; After some trail and error I discovered Dolby ATMOS has configuration requirements for proper performance. If you also use wireless speakers in your system Dolby ATMOS will not be available when your wireless speakers are connected. Dolby ATMOS apparently only functions when it detects a proper Dolby speaker setup; 5.1.2, 7.1.2 etc. I also discovered when the wireless speakers are connected to my system and I'm browsing movies in Apple TV, Dolby ATMOS enabled content will not display 'Dolby ATMOS' as being available?! I disconnected my wireless speakers and the same movie would then display 'Dolby ATMOS' as being available. I found it enlightening that even my streaming video device apparently checks for proper Dolby speaker requirements and only displays the Dolby content it can produce based on your systems speaker setup.My System:5.1.2Apple TVOnkyo TX-NR696Definitive Technology Pro 2000 Front SpeakersDefinitive Technology Pro 2000 Center SpeakerSVS Prime Elevation Dolby ATMOS Height SpeakersPolk Audio MC80 Rear Surround (in-ceiling) SpeakersBose 500 Smart Speakers Multi-Room Wireless (connects through Apple TV)Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Subwoofer

I had Infinity bookshelf speakers that I faced upwards on my towers. I finally decided to take the plunge and give these a try. These made a huge difference in my overall sound in movies. I have looked at other speakers and am happy I purchased these.