You know, I came into home cinema with Dolby Pro-Logic, then Dolby Digital/dts, then 6.1, 7.1, but I think this is where I tune out, barring a lottery win.
I suspect the whole 'object' thing is a bit smoke & mirrors. We already have object-based sound. A sound mixer most certainly isn't limited to just using the position of 7 speakers in a 7.1 speaker set up. A sound played (for example) at equal volumes in both your centre and front left speakers should sound like it's coming from half way between the two.
As for 'height' speakers, it's well documented that human's hearing accuracy is mainly on a lateral, horizontal plain, with far less sensitivity to vertical placement.
I'm not saying there will be no upgrade. But it certainly looks like shelling out a lot of money for what will be a subtle improvement, at best.
Buying a new amp (minimum £1,400) and at least two new speakers. We're genuinely looking at £2k just as a starting point.
And come on, we all know what we're like. Anyone 'not happy' enough with 7.1 to crave an upgrade to Atmos is going to feel they have less than they could unless they buy at least 4 ceiling speakers and an extra sub.
I've never sat in a film and thought 'blimey, this sound lacks height'.
Finally, and this is just me being old I suppose, I'm enjoying fewer and fewer new films, and the ones I am enjoying are less likely to have a massive sonic impact.
I'm sure I'll enjoy
Gravity when I finally get round to seeing it, but I'm more of a
Grand Budapest Hotel fan myself.
Best soundtrack I've heard on an action film for years was
Skyfall. Guess what - not even 7.1, just vanilla 5.1.
I know, I know...
Steve W