Ceiling install with only attic access?

[Wabbit]

12' above a stair case, 20' if I bounce over the railing on the way down to the coffee table... Anyone have success installing in ceiling speakers with only access from the attic?

I've done this with can lights pulling them up with string. Magnetic grills are perfect. Just not sure how to get a snug fit with the dog ears from above; if it's possible. Rather not deal with the cost of hiring a scaffold/ladder setup for one speaker.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Huh… I don’t think you can tighten them from the back side. I would try and find a ladder or some scaffolding etc.

 

[Wabbit]

Yeah. I was thinking I might just shim the dog ears with some wood shims on the back to get it snug fit. We shall see. Would be nice if they could be righted from both sides.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Yeah. I was thinking I might just shim the dog ears with some wood shims on the back to get it snug fit. We shall see. Would be nice if they could be righted from both sides.

I could see a shim working. Probably not ideal, but if some right it would basically be the same thing.

 

[highfigh]

Yeah. I was thinking I might just shim the dog ears with some wood shims on the back to get it snug fit. We shall see. Would be nice if they could be righted from both sides.

A shim might make it tight once, but the vibrations will make it move. Look for speakers that have a clip which snaps in place as the speaker is pushed in. I know Dynaudio has it, but haven't looked for others. BTW- Dynaudio are great speakers, but they're expensive.

Assuming you don't want to go up to the ceiling because you don't like being that high, which I can understand, a small man-lift is the safest way to go up to install the speakers. However, 20' is awfully high for speakers- the reflections could make the sound unmanageable.

 

[Eppie]

I replaced a smoke detector for the boss who has 20' ceilings in the entrance hall. Not fun. I managed with an extension ladder but on its own could not reach the center of the ceiling, so I purchase a pair of metal stand-offs (with rubber coating to protect the walls) which gave me enough reach. 12' is reachable with a tall step ladder but avoid the need to stand on the top rung. Safety first! Maybe a friend or neighbour has a tall enough ladder so that you can save the rental fee. Extension ladder feels safer as there is something to hold on to but it has to be short enough for that space.