All,

We have a client that has a funky room (funky means lots of chopping to get wires in-ceiling, crazy angles, 16'-18' ceilings, live surfaces, etc.) but he really wants Atmos. Anybody experimented with:

Atmos reflecting module speakers like the Def Tech, PSB, Klipsch, etc. models in the rear channel instead of the front? We can't use tower speakers in front due to a lack of floor space (there literally isn't any) but we can get wires to the back and the client doesn't mind towers in the rear.

Using 2 in-wall speakers in the front channel for Atmos above the TV with the tweeters either pointed down to provide direct sound or pointing them up to reflect the sound to the listening area. We can get wires a few feet above the TV with ease.

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

You're really the only one that can have real input on this. If the customer is willing to pay for it then run the wires to the best locations you can come up with. Explain the best solutions in your opinion to them and go from there. If they want to try the DSP and reflecting options then just add in "the downside to this is I can not guarantee favorable results".

For the fronts...

[Link: speakercraft.com]

I've heard them in a demo room that had those annoying stippled ceiling tiles found in older office buildings and they did a surprisingly good job - mated to Speakercraft in-wall LCR's. The beauty was you could get one grill to cover both the front and ATMOS speakers.
I believe up-firing modules got a bad name by the little junkers from the likes of Onkyo... the larger Klipsch / Elac seem to go a lot better. But as with all up-firing versions, you'll want a flat ceiling for it to work well.

Of course the prefered DTS:X configuration seems to consist of traditional front height speakers... and it plays pretty nicely with ATMOS content to my ears.