Rectangular vs. round ceiling speakers

[docbruce]

Hello Forum,
I am a brand new member and not terribly knowledgeable about home theater. I just purchased a new Samsung 40" LCD HDTV and an Onkyo 650 7.1 receiver to replace an 18-year old JVC receiver. The previous owners of my home had installed 4 Polk rectangular speakers in the ceiling (sorry, don't know model #, but they're 11" X 7 1/2"). The room is a rectangular family room about 13' X25' with the kitchen at one end. I was never impressed by the sound of the ceiling speakers (I do not yet have a sub but plan on getting one soon - considering a Hsu STF-1). A salesman at a high-end home audio/theater store told me that rectangular speaker should NEVER be installed in the ceiling - only ROUND due to the sound dispersal pattern. He suggested taking the Polks out and placing them in the wall on either side of my TV and drywalling the rectangular holes closed and installing round speakers to use as the side and rear surrounds. Can I just upgrade to a better rectangular speaker and leave the ceiling layout as is? Thanks for any advice.
docbruce

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hello Forum,
I am a brand new member and not terribly knowledgeable about home theater. I just purchased a new Samsung 40" LCD HDTV and an Onkyo 650 7.1 receiver to replace an 18-year old JVC receiver. The previous owners of my home had installed 4 Polk rectangular speakers in the ceiling (sorry, don't know model #, but they're 11" X 7 1/2"). The room is a rectangular family room about 13' X25' with the kitchen at one end. I was never impressed by the sound of the ceiling speakers (I do not yet have a sub but plan on getting one soon - considering a Hsu STF-1). A salesman at a high-end home audio/theater store told me that rectangular speaker should NEVER be installed in the ceiling - only ROUND due to the sound dispersal pattern. He suggested taking the Polks out and placing them in the wall on either side of my TV and drywalling the rectangular holes closed and installing round speakers to use as the side and rear surrounds. Can I just upgrade to a better rectangular speaker and leave the ceiling layout as is? Thanks for any advice.
docbruce

Interesting comment from someone who should know better
The cones of speakers are round so it has dispersion 360 degrees but may not be equally uniform on all axis.
How are they placed in reference to where you sit to watch the show, are all 4 behind you, two to the side, two up front and two behind?

Generally speaking, ceiling speakers by their location will yield a different experience that floor standing and wall mounted surrounds.

In the end, it would depend on how great the sound matters to you.

 

[Haoleb]

The salesman doesnt know what he is talking about regarding the sound dispersion as Mtry pointed out. Round ceiling speakers are virtually identical except for the fact they use a coaxial type design. The main reason to use round speakers in the ceiling is because they look better and you only have to find the center of your hole to get them installed perfectly, Vs a square speaker where you need to measure it in relation to something else and get it lined up. Which isint always an option. Its not like hanging them on a wall where you can just use a level. That being said, The only in wall speakers I have heard which I would be able to have in my home and not think I was missing out on alot vs floorstanders are 7 grand a peice so your not going to get as good of performance from a box type speaker as you will in an in-wall of the same price. IMO. Also, for proper surround sound effects you will want the speakers in a position like the salesman suggested, vs in the ceiling. It just wont sound right.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Like Haoleb was saying; it's much easier to cut a round hole than a square.

Unlike what Haoleb said; in-ceilings sound great as surrounds. I had to use in-ceilings; I thought I was compromising but they are impressive for surrounds.

 

[Davemcc]

I've got to go with Haoleb on this one. I've got my surrounds near the ceiling due to having doorways where speakers should be, and 'meh'. I'd rather have them lower.

 

[Haoleb]

In ceiling surrounds work ok. But LCR in the ceiling work quite badly. From the sound of things the original poster has only speakers in the ceiling. Also, Rereading my other post I meant to say your not going to get as good of performance out of an in-wall speaker as you will in a bookshelf or floorstander of the same price. Didnt catch that lastnight and its too late to edit it now