re: I'm ready to step up my home theater audio system.....

They do not. Ideally they are installed "IN" the ceiling pointed at the listening area. But you also have the other surround speakers at ear level. The idea is to surround the listener with speakers, left, right front back and overhead. So if there is a scene for example with bullets or mortar fire (Saving Private Ryan 4k edition with Atmos) you can literally hear the bullets going around and over you. If you get a decent Atmos receiver it can even render non-Atmos movies in pretty close to Atmos sound.