In-Ceiling room set-up

[Erockeo]

I'm getting close to running wire in my house that is currently under construction. Electrical is finishing up this week and then I'm going to jump in before insulation. My house has an open floor plan with an L-shape for the first floor that includes the kitchen, dining area and living room. The L-shape is throwing me off in terms of how to position the in-ceiling speakers throughout for even, quality sound. I will not have a TV up in this space and am only planning to use it for background music, though use it frequently as I am a stay at home dad and avid cook who spends a lot of time in this space. I particularly enjoy rich bass tones, if that adds any important info, but do not plan on having a subwoofer on the floor. The room has nine foot ceilings and I have tried to attach the plans for the first floor, but do not think I'm allowed to do so. So, if that didn't work, here's a link to the house on the architect's site. There's a couple of shots that show the first floor layout. Not sure if anyone can help me with placement, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Currently, I was planning on using four Bowers & Wilkins CCM382's in the space. Other suggestions regarding speakers are welcome, but I am most concerned with suggestions on placing them throughout the space. Thanks for any help! /Users/albrightes/Desktop/First floor.png

 

[BMXTRIX]

While I like B&W for their floorstanding speakers, I think they aren't nearly as well versed as a company like Sonance which offers a couple dozen different versions of a 8" in-ceiling speaker:
Speakers | Sonance

A model like this one: Architectural Series Z8R | Sonance is particularly nice as it is a 3-way design instead of a 2-way design offering a better balance across the low-end to the high-end and has a pivoting woofer design which helps direct audio better and prevents a downward firing design which wreaks havoc in a installation with hardwood or tile floors.

On a more affordable budget, they offer this classic model with a 8" 3-way design on a more traditional grill: Original Series Large 832R | Sonance

In-ceiling speakers can be tough, but I've been very impressed with what Sonance has delivered over other companies when you are looking for quality sound from this type of speaker.

 

[zieglj01]

Look at picture B to get some idea for an L shape room, may need 3 or 4 speakers.
The picture on the right is for 2 pairs.

A nice speaker to look at - is the Boston VSi-5830 speaker, the tweeter and midrange
baffle can be rotated, plus it also comes with a boundary compensation switch, if placed
near a wall or corner.
BOSTON ACOUSTICS VSi 5830 3-Way 8" In-Ceiling LCR Speaker Each | Accessories4less

Also, the Boston VSi-580 has a pivoting tweeter and a wave-guide, plus the boundary
compensation switch when placed near a wall or corner.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosvsi580a/boston-acoustics-vsi-580-8-in-2-way-in-ceiling-lcr-speaker-each/1.html

 

[Erockeo]

Thanks for the feedback both on placement and brand. I'm definitely still interested in picking out the speaker, based on recommendation. I'll check out Sonance. I currently have Boston Micros for another room and have been impressed with them for their size and budget over the years, so they are a company I would consider again.

Regarding room set up, I had seen the diagrams you posted, zieglj01. Do I have to worry about L and R channels playing equally for anyone hanging out in any given space. Unless I had stereo speakers, you have to run each speaker from a L or R channel on the receiver, right? Is it a small enough space that it won't be noticeable? Am I overthinking placement...as long as I place them about 10 feet apart, spaced throughout the room, at least a few feet from any wall and not directly over a flat, horizontal surface, will I be okay?

 

[Erockeo]

Is accessoriesforless.com a reputable site? There prices for that BA speaker are really good.

 

[zieglj01]

Do I have to worry about L and R channels playing equally for anyone hanging out in any given space. Unless I had stereo speakers, you have to run each speaker from a L or R channel on the receiver, right? Is it a small enough space that it won't be noticeable? Am I overthinking placement...as long as I place them about 10 feet apart, spaced throughout the room, at least a few feet from any wall and not directly over a flat, horizontal surface, will I be okay?

Is accessoriesforless.com a reputable site? There prices for that BA speaker are really good.

I would want the in-ceiling placement as equal as possible - as far as everyone getting an equal stereo
balance, there is no guarantee > I would just want sound to cover the room >> in-ceiling speakers can
tend to spread sound like a flash-light or spot-light. You get what you get - however, I still do want it to
sound good.

I am not a real expert, when it comes to placing in-ceiling speakers.

Boston makes good higher-end stuff > AC4L is a good company, and a lot of us buy from them.

 

[rojo]

Is accessoriesforless.com a reputable site? There prices for that BA speaker are really good.

Yes, accessories4less.com is reputable, and I recommend them. They aren't the fastest at responding to emails, but you get what you order quickly, well-packaged, and for a really great price.

Edit: I just realized that zieg answered that already. It took me a minute to translate his shorthand.

 

[Erockeo]

Thanks for the reply. Any thoughts on how the BOSTON ACOUSTICS VSi 580 would work being used in an open floor plan with floor spread throughout an L-shape? They are a little nicer than I was planning on getting, but the price is so good via accessories4less, that its hard to pass it up unless they don't make sense in this case.

They are listed as LCR speakers. Will that help or hinder getting good coverage of the space from any individual space for a person. I'm not going to have any sort of echoing effect or the opposite of that, am I? I'm not to well versed in this area.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for the reply. Any thoughts on how the BOSTON ACOUSTICS VSi 580 would work being used in an open floor plan with floor spread throughout an L-shape? They are a little nicer than I was planning on getting, but the price is so good via accessories4less, that its hard to pass it up unless they don't make sense in this case.

They are listed as LCR speakers. Will that help or hinder getting good coverage of the space from any individual space for a person. I'm not going to have any sort of echoing effect or the opposite of that, am I? I'm not to well versed in this area.

If they did not make sense, then I would not have recommended them.

The do have a pivoting-aim tweeter, plus the added wave-guide to help spread
the sound.

L/C/R means that they are not restricted, and can be used in different set-up options.
For HT, it means - they can be used as 1 ea, for left, center and right channel, plus
be used as surround channels. For music, they can be used as 1 ea, for left and right
stereo channels. Plus, you can use a few for mono-channels.

 

[Erockeo]

Cool. I like the look of them and, like I said, I've liked BA in the past. Works for me.

 

[Erockeo]

Looks like accessories4less is offering them reconditioned, however, which I didn't realize. Makes me a little wary.

 

[rojo]

I wouldn't worry. The refurb stuff I've ordered from them has always been perfect. The product description will usually say something like "blemished but acoustically perfect" if they're scuffed. They're probably just open box. There are no unpleasant surprises when ordering from a4l.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Erockeo]

Thanks. I typed too fast anyway. Looked again, and then called to verify, but it said New. Bought and awaiting. Can't wait! Thanks for the help.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks. I typed too fast anyway. Looked again, and then called to verify, but it said New. Bought and awaiting. Can't wait! Thanks for the help.

The Boston is NEW