Doing In-Wall speakers in a livingroom (New Construction)...looking for input please

T

Talktolee

Audiophyte
Hi All,



I am looking for input on some speakers that I am looking at purchasing from www.monoprice.com that are in my budget for our new home construction. I am sure there way better speakers available however I was given a strict budget by the better half and think the ones I found will work out ok...

I am about ready to order and have a couple of questions before I decide and am hoping I can get some general input on a couple of different selections.


DISCLAIMER #1

If I am picking something that is not that good or stupid in your opinion by all means tell me. I would have liked to spend more time researching this but with all the decisions coming on various other parts of the house I just don't have time.

DISCLAIMER #2

The room size is 15.6 feet by 15.0 feet. Is the size of the speakers appropriate for this room size? It isn't going to be a home theater room but something for movies and general TV. The main reason for getting in-wall speakers in this room was due to the size of the room and how it connects with the kitchen (open concept) and being able to see the t.v. from the kitchen sink. Basically so my wife doesn't have to put the volume @ 40 on t.v. speakers so she can 'hear the t.v.".



I would think the 8 inch speakers that are available on the website would do nice but not sure if it is overkill and should be looking at the smaller 6 1/2 inch speakers. I was thinking the larger size to possibly avoid the need for a floor standing sub...I know they have wall mounted subwoofers but it looked complicated and don't want to get into that at this time.


Center Channel

Is there a big difference between these two outside of the price and size? The specs seem the same with the main difference being the dimensions...I am able to modify the wall studs between where the center channel would eventually go to create the opening which will give me about 28 inches of room for placement of the center channel allowing me to keep it in line with the middle of the t.v.

Option #1
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083704&p_id=4881&seq=1&format=2

Option #2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083704&p_id=6317&seq=1&format=2


Ceiling Speakers (Rear's)



I liked the initial idea of the angled woofer (option #2) but the price is more than the other option #1. Would I notice a big difference in performance with an angled woofer or is a straight ceiling speaker just fine?


Option #1
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=4104&seq=1&format=2


Option #2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=4929&seq=1&format=3#specification

L/R Speakers

In this application would I notice the 2 way vs the 3 way? I have read that all depends on the speaker 'construction'. I cannot really find a informative post regarding monoprice speakers in this regards...

2 way speaker

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=4101&seq=1&format=2

3 way speaker
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=6816&seq=1&format=2


Thanks for any input and by all means I appreciate any comments.



As far as a receiver I currently have an Onkyo SR-TX806 from my previous home theater which will work just fine for this application...I can also get a lower end receiver to power these speakers since I was planning down the road to re-use the Onkyo in the new home theater room once it is constructed.



Lee
 
Last edited:
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
At this budget, I doubt there are many choices at all, and I guess I could blindly go with Monoprice because just about everything they sell is of very high value, cables, hdmi switchers, tv mounts, etc. I think even BMX might be using a set.

What I would lean towards, as my not-well-thought-out-off-the-cuff remarks.

Larger speakers with the 8" if it's ok. However, don't be fooled that this will make up for a lack of a sub, not even close, by a really long shot.

Then I'd use the identical speaker for the center speaker. The whole idea of the horiz MTM is purely for aesthetic compromise. The audio suffers from this design, and in your case, if you don't have to do it, then why?

Ceiling speakers, well obviously it depends where they are located. If directly above you, don't angle, if behind you, angle. I have read someone hear saying that the angled tweeter is a bad compromise if the woofer isn't angled, due to comb filtering, but who knows. If the whole thing is angled, I say go for it.

So there you go. I know you aren't expecting hifi, but in case you were, don't. Inwall/ceiling speakers cost a lot more when you get to quality stuff. Just how it goes.

edit: forgot, I'd probably go for the 2way over the 3way. More xovers means more complexity, and at this budget, I doubt there was the best design/implementation.
 
XEagleDriver

XEagleDriver

Audioholic Chief
+1 on these points

1) . . . use the identical speaker for the center speaker.

2) . . . go for the 2way over the 3way.
Lee,

+1 to Josten's points above.

As my signiture states I am using four Monoprice's inwall 6.5"s in my non-critical listening, family room. I have been very pleased with the sound and value given the stated purpose and cost.

I choose 6.5" versus 8" to make the installation a bit easier (more room to play with between the studs in choosing placement).

FWIW: Given your purpose, clearer TV sound, 8" may not be worth the added cost or reduced installation flexibility either.


Cheers,
XEagleDriver
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
Emotiva has inwalls on sale right now if you can convince your better half to go a wee bit higher.
 
LPChris85

LPChris85

Audiophyte
I just installed 4 of the 6.5 monoprice in walls in my father's living room with the cheaper LCR monoprice had to offer. The one down side to the cheaper LCR is that it is too wide to fit between 16 inch studs, so we had to trim the studs a bit to fit the speaker.

sound quality isn't mind blowing but it is very surprising for the low price we paid. We also went with the in wall 10 inch passive sub woofer. I haven't been able to use it because I still need an amp for it but will let you know once I get one.
 
S

Slee_Stack

Junior Audioholic
Emotiva has inwalls on sale right now if you can convince your better half to go a wee bit higher.
I have a pair of the 6.5" Emotiva UAW-6.2s installed and they sound good to me. However, I'm using them for surrounds and have done no critical listening with them.

One thing you may want to consider if you think you may 'upgrade' the inwalls later is the cutout size. If you buy bigger inwalls (8") and want to put in a nicer, smaller (or different sized) set down the road, then you are probably looking at installing a new section of sheetrock. Not a big deal, but a hassle nonetheless.

IMO, if someone is going to go to the hassle of installing inwalls, why put a relatively cheap speaker in anyway? I value personal time and effort, even if I'm not getting paid for it.

I will grant that maybe monoprice speakers are OK. As stated by another poster, I've liked all their other stuff (wire, connects, mounts, etc.).
 

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