Master Dolby Atmos with Onkyo TX-NR676 | Add Zone 2 and Preserve Atmos

Master Dolby Atmos with Onkyo TX-NR676 | Add Zone 2 and Preserve Atmos

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting Up Zone 2 with Dolby Atmos
3. Benefits of Using Zone 2
4. Connecting the Speakers for Zone 2
5. Zone 2 Configuration on the Onkyo TX NR 676
6. The Limitations of Zone 2 on the Onkyo TX NR 676
7. Using Zone 2 Pre Outs for Full Dolby Atmos Experience
8. Zone 2 Volume Control
9. Alternative Options for Zone 2 Setup
10. Conclusion

Setting Up Zone 2 with Dolby Atmos

If You're a home theater enthusiast or an audiophile, you probably understand the importance of having a dedicated zone for your audio setup. A zone allows you to have multi-room audio, giving you the flexibility to play different audio sources in different rooms of your house.

In this article, we will specifically focus on setting up Zone 2 with Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is an immersive audio technology that provides a more realistic and immersive sound experience. By combining Dolby Atmos with Zone 2, you can enjoy the benefits of multi-room audio while still keeping the Dolby Atmos experience in your main room.

Introduction

Before we dive into the setup process, let's first discuss the benefits of using Zone 2. Having a dedicated zone in your home allows you to have a separate audio source playing in another room while still enjoying your main audio setup. This is especially useful when you have guests or family members who want to listen to different audio content. You can have your main surround sound system playing a movie or TV Show in the living room, while having music playing in another room through Zone 2.

Benefits of Using Zone 2

Zone 2 is particularly useful in scenarios where you have your music library or other audio equipment in one room and a separate room where you want to have a pair of speakers. For example, if you want to listen to music in your study while your family watches a movie in the living room, Zone 2 allows you to do just that. You can connect two speaker wires to the Zone 2 output of your AV receiver and run them into the other room. This way, your music won't interrupt the audio in the main room, providing a seamless and enjoyable audio experience for everyone.

Connecting the Speakers for Zone 2

Now that we understand the benefits of using Zone 2, let's move on to connecting the speakers for Zone 2. The Onkyo TX NR 676 AV receiver, for example, has the capability to power seven channels and connect nine speakers simultaneously. However, when Zone 2 is turned on, the power to the Height channels or surround back is redirected to Zone 2. This means that if you're using the full 7.1 setup or a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos setup, you will lose the power to those channels when Zone 2 is activated.

To connect speakers for Zone 2, simply plug in the speaker wire to the zone 2 terminals on the back of your AV receiver. Once the speakers are connected, you can control the volume of Zone 2 through the front panel of the AV receiver or through the remote control. To change the volume, select Zone 2 as the source and adjust the volume knob accordingly.

Zone 2 Configuration on the Onkyo TX NR 676

To configure Zone 2 on the Onkyo TX NR 676, navigate to the setup menu and go to the speakers section. From there, you can select the configuration options for Zone 2. If Zone 2 is off, turn it on to activate the zone. Once Zone 2 is enabled, you can select the source for Zone 2 through the front panel or the remote control. For example, you can choose to play music from a connected phono or CD source.

The Limitations of Zone 2 on the Onkyo TX NR 676

It's important to note that when Zone 2 is activated on the Onkyo TX NR 676, the Dolby Atmos functionality in the main room will be downgraded to 5.1. This means that you will lose the immersive sound experience provided by Dolby Atmos. If you want to keep both Zone 2 active and Dolby Atmos functionality in the main room, you will need to use the Zone 2 pre outs on the back of the AV receiver.

Using Zone 2 Pre Outs for Full Dolby Atmos Experience

To maintain the Dolby Atmos functionality in the main room while using Zone 2, you can connect the Zone 2 pre outs on the Onkyo TX NR 676 to an integrated amplifier. By doing so, you bypass the volume control and preamp stage of the integrated amplifier, ensuring a direct and unaltered audio signal.

To connect the AV receiver to the integrated amplifier, use RCA cables to connect the Zone 2 pre outs on the AV receiver to the input of the integrated amplifier. This setup allows you to have full Dolby Atmos functionality in the main room while still powering the speakers in Zone 2 through the integrated amplifier.

Zone 2 Volume Control

When it comes to controlling the volume for Zone 2, there are a few options available. You can use the volume control on the front panel of the AV receiver or the remote control. Alternatively, if you have an integrated amplifier connected to the Zone 2 pre outs, you can use the volume control on the amplifier to adjust the volume for Zone 2. It's important to note that changing the volume of the main room will not affect the volume of Zone 2, and vice versa.

Alternative Options for Zone 2 Setup

If you don't have an integrated amplifier or prefer a different setup for Zone 2, there are alternative options available. One option is to use a separate AV receiver or amplifier specifically for Zone 2. This allows you to have a dedicated audio setup for the Second room without affecting the main room's audio experience.

Powered speakers are another alternative for Zone 2 setups. Powered speakers have built-in amplification and volume control, eliminating the need for an external amplifier or integrated amplifier. By connecting your AV receiver's Zone 2 pre outs directly to the powered speakers, you can easily enjoy multi-room audio without the hassle of additional equipment.

Conclusion

Setting up Zone 2 with Dolby Atmos can enhance your home theater experience and provide you with the flexibility of multi-room audio. Whether you choose to use an integrated amplifier, a separate AV receiver, or powered speakers, it's important to consider your specific setup requirements and budget. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enjoy the benefits of Dolby Atmos while still having a dedicated audio zone in your home.