Concept-stage research; no equipment has been ordered and installation details remain provisional.
Updated 13 October 2026 · Listed prices are dated records
Open the front lounge, then choose More → Front lounge equipment. Baseline keeps the room as it was; Owned 5.1 adds the existing-equipment fit study. Future speaker study substitutes proposed Wizard S6 plus mains and shows two teal front height markers. The sofa, curtains, wall television and French doors stay in place.
The Denon AVR-3311 is owner confirmed: 434 W × 381 D × 171 H mm. The Richter Cheetah centre uses the archived 650 W × 415 D × 195 H mm envelope. Older MkII fronts and Predator surrounds remain unidentified variants with illustrative dimensions; the photographed Richter sub is only tentatively represented by ThorII dimensions. Generic stands and the open 1500 W × 500 D × 650 H console are provisional and have no verified load ratings.
The official AVR-3311 manual (PDF page 4, installation diagram inspected) recommends more than 300 mm around the receiver and keeping equipment off its top. The open study provides about 309 mm above, 485 mm each side and 310 mm behind; cable bends, power and physical installation still need checking.
The proposed mains use the official Wizard S6 plus stabilised 300 W × 359 D × 1003 H mm envelope. The two height markers show only a possible front pair, with the Krix IC-32 face diameter. There is insufficient room for a corresponding rear height pair behind the fixed sofa under the usual 30–55° layout. No ceiling holes, cavity fit, wiring or functioning 5.1.4 system are represented. AVR-3311 does not decode Atmos; that future concept needs suitable electronics. A 6.1 rear centre is omitted because it would crowd the fixed sofa/window area.
These are visual options, subject to site measurements and acoustic trial. The surround placement is near-side rather than the preferred rear-side angles. Spare speakers are kept out of the room.
The expanded study favours a large OLED with 5.1.4: five ear-level speakers, the existing active subwoofer and four dedicated overhead speakers. Retain the Richter centre and ordinary bookshelf surrounds where they remain healthy. 7.1.4 adds a separate ear-level rear pair but brings additional placement, access and amplifier requirements. “Full Atmos” does not refer to a single mandatory speaker count. The sofa position needs revisiting to create practical space for the rear overhead pair before ceiling locations are fixed.
A projector remains a credible film-night alternative, but its larger image brings additional requirements: stronger daylight control, a verified lens-to-screen distance, ceiling mounting and ventilation, and a screen height that works around the substantial centre speaker. An opaque screen with the centre below it is the simpler initial comparison. An acoustically transparent screen allows speakers behind the image but needs additional depth and material-specific installation checks.
Richter's archived Cheetah specification gives a 650 W × 415 D × 195 H mm cabinet, 10 kg weight and 6 Ω nominal load. A substantial open shelf or stand is needed; cables and terminal access require additional depth. Verify that the actual unit matches this version before making joinery. Richter Cheetah specification
The older bookshelf speakers are candidates for surround duties. The subwoofer's exact model still needs checking before using model-specific specifications. Reuse depends on condition, placement and listening tests, not age alone.
The receiver is confirmed by its owner as the Denon AVR-3311. Denon documents seven amplifier channels, HDMI 1.4a with ARC, HD-audio decoding and Audyssey MultEQ XT. It can remain the interim conventional-surround receiver; Atmos still requires an upgrade. Denon AVR-3311 specifications
Test TV apps or a TV-connected streamer returning sound through HDMI ARC, using the Denon's MONITOR OUT 1 and HDMI Control ON. Keep modern 4K/HDR video sources connected to the TV rather than relying on this older receiver's video stage. Check actual TV/app audio-format compatibility; ARC is not eARC, and optical is a fallback rather than the only connection. The manual specifies 6–16 Ω speakers. Denon manual
Richter currently lists the Wizard S6plus at A$2,999, Aurora S7SE standmount at A$3,999 and Wizard S7SE at A$5,999. The Wizard S6plus is the obvious floorstander to audition around a A$3,000–4,000 mains allowance. Aurora requires suitable stands as well. These are listed prices, not delivered quotes. Richter Australian range
The Wizard S6plus is rated 4 Ω nominal with a 3.5 Ω minimum, so its compatibility with the old receiver should not be assumed. The amplifier upgrade may need to accompany the new fronts rather than follow much later. A shared brand name also does not guarantee tonal matching with an older centre: audition dialogue and left-to-right movement. Wizard S6plus specifications
The manufacturer's official audition locator is available, but a current Perth demonstration location and stock have not yet been verified. Richter where to buy
Sony Australia lists a 77-inch BRAVIA 8 K-77XR80 with an approximately 1713 W × 984 H × 38 D mm body, without stand. It is a useful real envelope for planning. Its raised soundbar stand should not be assumed to clear a 195 mm-tall centre speaker. Sony AU specifications
A 110-inch 16:9 projected image measures approximately 2435 × 1370 mm, excluding frame and housing. Epson Australia's EH-LS12000B is one concrete conventional-projector reference, with a 1.35–2.84 throw ratio. The calculated wide-end throw for that image is about 3.29 m, before allowing for the projector body and installation clearances. This is a fit-check example, not a purchasing recommendation. Epson AU specifications
The additional surrounds are described only as “bi-directional”; the owner reports a “Richter Predator” badge, but their exact model and radiation pattern remain unverified. A “Mk II” marking on the front pair identifies a generation, not a unique model. The supplied photographs show a grille-covered Richter cabinet and a faded Richter Acoustics rear label; they do not establish driver layout or phase switching. Dolby specifically cautions against dipole surrounds for Atmos because of diffuse localisation. This should not be misquoted as a blanket prohibition on bipoles. Until identified, the ordinary bookshelves are the baseline ear-level surrounds, and the extra speakers should not be assumed suitable for overhead mounting. The smaller centre can be tested as an alternative centre or considered separately for the family room; a standard Atmos layout still uses one front centre. Dolby guidance
5.1.4 requires nine processed and amplified speaker channels; 7.1.4 requires eleven. An active subwoofer supplies its own amplification. A second sub is optional, making 5.2.4 without adding another passive-speaker amplifier channel. Denon Australia lists the AVC-X3900H with nine amplifiers and 11.4-channel processing, illustrating a 5.1.4 one-box system or a 7.1.4 system with extra amplification. The AVC-X6800H has eleven amplifier channels. These are capability examples, not price or stock commitments. AVC-X3900H · AVC-X6800H
The four-height budget also needs ceiling speakers, wiring, installation and calibration. The AVR-3311 cannot decode Atmos. Prioritise good placement over adding rear channels simply to use every spare speaker.
Dolby’s four-overhead home guides place top-front and top-rear pairs on either side of the listening position, with 30–55° side-view elevation regions. The rear pair needs meaningful space behind the listener. For 7.1.4, side and rear surrounds have separate 90–110° and 135–150° horizontal regions. Keep those ear-level channels distinct from the overhead layer and preserve door/curtain access. Dolby 5.1.4 guide · Dolby 7.1.4 guide
Before committing: test the screen outline and sofa position, confirm actual seated eye/ear height, check door and curtain clearances, identify every retained speaker, and verify projector cooling and mounting requirements if choosing projection.
The AVR-3311 supports a conventional 6.1 layout with a single rear-centre speaker. Its manual specifies SURR. BACK/AMP ASSIGN L, Amp Assign Normal, and S.Back 1spkr. Power off before wiring; do not combine amplifier outputs or parallel speakers as a shortcut. Denon manual, printed pages 46 and 75
A smaller centre beneath the rear window is worth testing only if its tweeter has a clear path past the sofa and it is not too close to listeners. A low hidden speaker behind the sofa may fit physically while sounding poor. This is a reversible legacy-surround experiment, not an additional centre in the proposed standard 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 Atmos layouts.
Research checked 13 October 2026 · Specification-led shortlist, not a listening comparison · Prices and stock can change.
Shortlist four KEF Ci160ER at about A$1,000, or four Krix IC-32/Hemispherix A20 at about A$1,700 if the ceiling cavity accommodates them. Krix is the preferred renovation option for its genuine angled baffle and enclosed rear housing; KEF is the value choice with documented broad coverage. JBL Stage 260CSA is another credible angled option at A$1,596 for four.
Keep the four overheads identical. Finalise seating and rear-speaker geometry before cutting holes. An angled speaker improves aiming but cannot create missing space behind a sofa near the rear wall. The current Denon AVR-3311 is not an Atmos receiver; four discrete Atmos overheads require a suitable future receiver upgrade.
All prices are AUD, speakers only. Two/four totals are arithmetic, not quoted bundles. Delivery, installation, wiring and accessories may add cost. Listed availability does not guarantee four units immediately.
A$249 each / $498 for two / $996 for four
Eastwood HiFi lists single units at $249. NAPF advertises $165 each but only two in stock; this is not a verified four-speaker deal.
6.5-inch woofer; swivelling tweeter only, fixed woofer. 8 Ω; 89 dB sensitivity (1 W/1 m). Grille Ø244.5 mm; opening about Ø208 mm; manufacturer flush mounting depth 82.6 mm, overall depth 95.3 mm. No numerical coverage angle verified.
Eastwood HiFi · NAPF limited-stock offer · Official specifications
A$250 each / $500 for two / $1,000 for four
Douglas Hi-Fi lists $250 individually. West Coast HiFi Malaga lists in stock at $250, with separate $225 promotional wording to confirm.
Fixed, downward-facing 6.5-inch Uni-Q coaxial array; no pivot. Manufacturer specifies 110° nominal coverage. 8 Ω; 89 dB (2.83 V/1 m). External Ø234.6 × 88.7 mm; cutout Ø196 mm; mounting depth 85.2 mm.
Douglas Hi-Fi · West Coast HiFi Malaga · Official technical sheet
A$399 each / $798 for two / $1,596 for four
HeyNow HiFi lists in stock; Space Hi-Fi lists dispatch in 2–4 days. JBL's own AU shop says sold out; confirm retailer inventory.
Angled woofer-and-tweeter baffle, rather than tweeter-only adjustment. 6.5-inch woofer, 1-inch tweeter; 8 Ω; 87 dB (2.83 V/1 m). Square grille 248 × 248 mm, cutout 219 × 219 mm. JBL product page says 127 mm mounting depth; its PDF says 125 mm. Plan conservatively and use the supplied template. Numeric baffle/coverage angle not verified in official material.
HeyNow HiFi · Space Hi-Fi · Official specifications · Official specification PDF
A$425 each / $850 for two / $1,700 for four at dealer price
West Coast HiFi lists in stock through Cannington, Joondalup and Midland. Krix's current manufacturer price is A$445 each with white grille, or $1,780/four.
Fixed 20° angled front baffle directs both drivers toward seats. Enclosed rear housing, front-ported acoustic design. 4-inch woofer; 6 Ω nominal / 4.2 Ω minimum; 86 dB (2.83 V/1 m). External Ø255 mm; recommended cutout Ø207 mm; mounting depth 157 mm. No numerical dispersion specification verified.
Wide coverage is desirable. Dolby permits downward-facing overheads when their dispersion is approximately ±45° across 100 Hz–10 kHz or wider; narrower designs should be aimed toward the primary listening position. KEF's nominal 110° is encouraging, but is not proof of uniform response across that whole band and every seat. Rotate Krix/JBL angled baffles toward seating. A 20° baffle cannot substitute for calculating speaker-to-seat angles. Dolby home-theatre installation guide, page 7
Mounting depth is not total installation clearance.
No acoustic backbox above is represented as a certified fire barrier or proof of compliance. Check installation against the exact supplied product and actual ceiling construction.
Audition or quote KEF versus Krix first. At the normal $249 Polk price, KEF costs almost the same and has clearer coverage data. JBL makes sense if its square grille suits the room and its insulation clearances work.
Monitor Audio C2M-CP is a credible enclosed alternative, but A$779 each / A$3,116 for four is difficult to prioritise here; mounting depth is 177.5 mm. Focal 100 ICLCR5 at A$1,050 each / A$4,200 for four also exceeds the initial overhead recommendation. Preserve budget for the Atmos-capable AVR and the rest of the system. Monitor Audio official specifications · AU Monitor Audio pricing · Focal AU pricing
Planning status: product shortlist, not an approved four-hole installation layout. Resolve seating and door clearance before final overhead positions are committed.