My 10-year-old Yamaha Dolby Digital 5.1 AV receiver bit the dust during a power blip a couple of weeks ago.  I tried several things found on the internet to try and reset it without a successful resolution.  I ordered a new 7.1.2 Yamaha receiver with Dolby Atmos and DTX+ capabilities not planning to utilize it.

I installed the new receiver and everything is working great.  However, as I was reading through several reviews and other web articles I began to buy into the Atmos hype and start researching Atmos-enabled speakers.  I found a pair of Pioneer ones that I could use in the front that had both front surround and Atmos capabilities (2 sets of inputs per speaker).  I was hesitant to pull the trigger not wanting to shell out an additional $200 for the speakers but low and behold an Amazon $100 gift card showed up in my e-mail inbox from a market research study I did last week so I went ahead and pulled the trigger.

I'm wondering what difference to expect between 5.1 Dolby Digital and 5.1.2 Atmos?  Will it be a life-changing experience, a that's cool experience or no difference experience?

I'll be using the additional 2 channels as Zone 2 speakers for whole-home speakers.

FYI...After I disconnected everything from the old receiver and pulled it out I decided to plug it back in and power it up to see if it would.  Sure enough...it did.  I'm now selling that one on Facebook.