Suggestions on High-Quality In-Walls

Holy crap, I started a thread!

Okay, I'm helping out my uncle with a dedicated HT room he's putting together. He wants to go all in-wall, except for the sub(s). The setup will be 7.1 and in a room about 12x20. So far, I've come up with the following options:

RBH (SI in-walls are probably out of budget, how are the MC's?)
Phase Tech
Axiom (enough for the room?)
Sonance

I know there are others available, so let's get some input. In the subwoofer department, I think I'm going to recommend Hsu (VTF-3 MKII) or maybe a similarly price SVS, though so far I've been really impressed with my own Hsu.

While we're at it, I'm willing to hear ideas on other components as well. There's no fixed budget, but he isn't going to drop a fortune on this system. Front projection is very likely, so I'm looking for projector recommendations. The recently reviewed Panny projector is looking kinda sexy (at least to me, but it's his money ). For the front end, I'm thinking a RX-V2600 or 3806, and possibly an external amp. I need DVD-player recommendations too. I think I've got the cables down, though

Apparently Audioholics is reviewing some Energy inwalls right now, or will be.

Theres not alot of talk about inwalls here, so I'm not familiar with them.
I think the 2600 is a good choice for a reciever. I know squat about projectors, and denon 2000's models are good dvd players.

SheepStar
PS- According to your profile, you've started 99 threads....

I would recommend RBH for in-walls,..... I would also suggest you look at / listen to some Triad in-walls.

I have Jamo and Speakercraft in walls. They both sound OK. The Jamo's are 3 way with an 8" woofer and do much better then the 2 way speakercraft. IMHO make certain the speakers have an tweeter that can be aimed. You will need some sort of subwoofer for sure, and what you suggested is pretty good.

The speakercrafts are the AIM series. I don't recall the Jamo's model. The Jamo's will actually image a bit.

For a PJ - I prefer Optoma or Runco, just be sure to check lens throw and mounting options in your room. Left/Right of screen center is fairly critical to determine which PJ's you should consider. If the PJ can't be centered, you need to get one with lens shift. Get the PJ before you buy a screen, and make sure you've done all the calculations with accuracy. For screens, call up Da-lite and ask for some samples.

I’m going to add some of the other usual suspects to the list: B&W, Def Tech, Klipsch, Paradigm, Polk, PSB

I purposesly eliminated Kilpsch because they don't have any inwalls that could fill his room with sound. If they made an in-wall RF-5 or RF-7, it would be a different story. I forgot about Def. Tech, and I think I'll direct my uncle to some local dealerships, as we all know the best way to select speakers is to listen to them first hand.

I was also considering throwing out the Axiom W22 as an option. I emailed Brent and he said it would be fine for my uncle's room provided it gets enough power. I'm not so sure about Polk, but I'll add Paradigm and PSB to the list (damn those Cannucks for making good speakers!).

"Okay, I'm helping out my uncle with a dedicated HT room he's putting together. He wants to go all in-wall, except for the sub(s). The setup will be 7.1 and in a room about 12x20."

Why in-walls? A room that size can host some decent acoustics, and it's hard to get in-walls to do HT justice. And if you decide the room doesn't sound right, moving the speakers becomes a *very* big deal.

Sometimes it just has to be in-walls, I know. But for what you'll spend getting and installing good in-walls, speakers aren't that much of a stretch.

Hey, Jax,
I listened to some RBH MC inwalls a few weeks ago. I was impressed. I went there to audition some 1044s, but he had sold them. The inwalls were the only setup he had. I thought enough of them to buy the freestanding without listening to them. He said they would sound even better than the inwalls. They were using in-ceilings for the surrounds, actually, and I was really suprised how god they sounded with the inwall fronts and center. Can't remember what sub they were using.

The wall conditions you mount them in obviously have a large impact on the sound. Maybe give Ray (RLA) a call as I think he has installed a lot of them. The diff in the MC vs the Signature will be the Sigs will have more definition, be a little more polished, if you will. The MCs will be great for HT.

I understand that Atlantic Technology makes some fine in-wall speakers.

There are a couple of things about the Monitor Audio in wall speakers (Controlled Performance on the web site.).
They offer in-walls in each of their speaker lines, Radius, Bronze, Silver, Gold.

I also like the fact that the speakers are built with a back box already in place.

Jax,

Give this site a look-see. They may be out of his budget...I'm not informed as to their costs. I heard them once, and I was STUNNED by their performance. Bay Audio speakers!!! Best inwalls I've ever heard.

http://www.treeridge.com/soundsystems/ss_bayaudio.htm

LCD Projectors.

jaxvon said:

Front projection is very likely, so I'm looking for projector recommendations. The recently reviewed Panny projector is looking kinda sexy (at least to me, but it's his money ).

Click to expand...

If $2K is in his pudget for the projector, take a close look at the Panny AE900U and Sanyo PLV-Z4. See projectorcentral.com for more info and reviews. I think you can get the panny for <$1900 from visualapex.com after the rebate. Don't forget about mounting considerations and a screen. For the money, I think Crada and DaLite CinemaVision our good choices for the money.

http://www.triadspeakers.com/products/intropageceiling.html

If you want high end, check out this site. Triad speakers.

How's the search going?

Take a peak at the James in-walls The upper models will flap your pant legs

RLA,
How would you say the James compare to your old faves the RBHs?

Hi AV
I haven't done a side-by-side listening evaluation but the James appears to be a very capable speaker

In walls can perform very well when installed properly.

I'd never recommend inwalls over enclosed speakers, that misses the point. The nice thing about speakers already in the enclosures is that the speaker engineer designed the enclosure to maximize the sound from the speaker. The bad thing is that they take up space. And to be honest with you, most speakers are just plain ugly!

So, if you go inwall, maximize the sound also. Either install the manufacturer's back boxes, or make them yourself. With your budgetary issues, making them yourself might be the best option. Most manufacturer supplied enclosures cost big bucks, then there's the shipping on a 40 pound box...

It's not very difficult to make enclosures, and it makes a HUGE difference in mid and low end. The nice thing about building it yourself is that it's easier to fit into new construction, and you can adjust the shape to fit the wall. Insulate it, seal it, and viola, a speaker enclosure. Always talk to the manufacturer or look for specs regarding the necessary volume for the speaker enlcosure.

It becomes a little more difficult if you need to soundproof the speakers to adjacent rooms, but it's not something you can't figure out. A little more money in parts, a little more time.

In my opinion, aimable speakers aren't really necessary if you pay attention to the linearity and off-axis specs of a speaker. Some speakers even 'tweak' the tweeter a few degrees towards the listening area already. With all due respect to Speakercraft, their contributions to our industry, and all their great products, the AIM series is marketing gimmick, not sound engineering.

That last (longwinded) point I'll make is that you want to try and get the most driver cone as possible, or, as many sources capable of playing bass as possible. If you can get your L and R with dual 6.5" drivers over single, do it. This helps with nulls a lot, instead of all low end having to come from one large speaker. In your surrounds, go with an 8" driver over a 6.5", etc.

PS. Bay Audio might not be a good option. They only sell to Custom Install companies, definetly not on the Internet.

How exciting, playing with other people's money!

Axiom on-wall speakers.

The Axiom W22 is actually a full enclosed on-wall speaker. As such, it doesn't use the wall as its enclosure so you don't have to worry about black boxes or other installation issues. They should play loud enough in that room and a Yamaha RX-V2600 should be plenty of power to drive an 8 ohm axiom setup. If it will fly, the QS8s (hanging on the wall) would perform better for the surround channels and will simplify the installation.

bigpapa said:

I'd never recommend inwalls over enclosed speakers, that misses the point. The nice thing about speakers already in the enclosures is that the speaker engineer designed the enclosure to maximize the sound from the speaker. The bad thing is that they take up space. And to be honest with you, most speakers are just plain ugly!

So, if you go inwall, maximize the sound also. Either install the manufacturer's back boxes, or make them yourself. With your budgetary issues, making them yourself might be the best option. Most manufacturer supplied enclosures cost big bucks, then there's the shipping on a 40 pound box...

It's not very difficult to make enclosures, and it makes a HUGE difference in mid and low end. The nice thing about building it yourself is that it's easier to fit into new construction, and you can adjust the shape to fit the wall. Insulate it, seal it, and viola, a speaker enclosure. Always talk to the manufacturer or look for specs regarding the necessary volume for the speaker enlcosure.

Click to expand...

FYI- Triad in-walls are fully enclosed. Also, many other quality in-walls are fully enclosed (like RLA's James Loudspeakers).

Many require special considerations for installation, though. Some even require 6" stud walls. However you look at it, you're going to make big holes. It's easy when you use a rotary drywall saw (Rotozip style).

Besides, Jax just wants to spend some of that family money. If you ain't going to inherit the money, might as well help spend it