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Q I’m planning a significant overhaul of my home theater and am leaning toward using the configuration suggested for Auro-3D: 10.1, with four corner speakers and one overhead voice-of-god speaker. In replacing my current AV receiver with separates, I am concerned about buying amplifiers that I can keep over the next several advances in surround sound tech/features. Here’s my question: When using height speakers, is it important that they be amplified at the same power as those near ear-level?—Quest Fanning / Brooklyn, NY

A Yes. Since the audio signal directed to individual speakers in object-based Atmos and channel-based Auro-3D systems are full-bandwidth, it’s important that each speaker receives the same level of power. This will be true for both height and ear-level speakers. When planning your system, you should seek out amplifier combinations that deliver equal power—a 7 x 200-watt plus a 3 x 200-watt model, or two 5 x 200-watt models, for example. As for future advances in surround sound, amplifier tech is unlikely to change much—power amplifiers are perhaps the most stable components of any sound system. You won’t have to worry about replacing them in the near term.