Building Standard Surround Sound Speakers into the Wall

[Almighty]

Can this be done?

I had an idea to take my speakers I have for surround sound and run wire through the walls. Then cut a hole in the drywall and mount the speakers to a stud with a speaker hanger and tilt them in the right direction. I would then cover this with a standard in wall speaker cover that can be painted.

Will this just sound like crap?

And should I just sac up and by specific in-wall speakers?

 

[Almighty]

My Thought Process

Doesn't the wall just act like a speaker box. I guess the only problem is if I don't get the edge of the speaker right up against the wall. Then I could have some reflection within the wall.

And where can you buy paintable speaker grills, any ideas?

 

[no. 5]

What is the make/model of the speakers in question?

 

[jinjuku]

Can this be done?

I had an idea to take my speakers I have for surround sound and run wire through the walls. Then cut a hole in the drywall and mount the speakers to a stud with a speaker hanger and tilt them in the right direction. I would then cover this with a standard in wall speaker cover that can be painted.

Will this just sound like crap?

And should I just sac up and by specific in-wall speakers?

I don't know if they will sound like crap... But they may have BSC (Baffle Step Compensation) built into the x-over. Your baffle step will change with them embedded in wall.

They would most likely do ok for surround duty. Are they ported or sealed?

 

[Almighty]

Speaker Specs

The speakers are Surround Speakers from Panasonic (SB - AFC95). See the picture, I don't believe they are ported. I will double check tonight.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Run Luke Run -- Don't Do This!

Can this be done?

I had an idea to take my speakers I have for surround sound and run wire through the walls. Then cut a hole in the drywall and mount the speakers to a stud with a speaker hanger and tilt them in the right direction. I would then cover this with a standard in wall speaker cover that can be painted.

Will this just sound like crap?

And should I just sac up and by specific in-wall speakers?

Almighty,

I would absolutely NOT do this for the following reasons:

1) Home resale value--this will look like (and sound like) a rube-goldberg solution of the worst order.

2) Other Better & Inexpensive Options--Even inexpensive 5.25" or 6.5" Kevlar in-walls, such as Monoprice's, are WAY better than the 1.8lb, SB-AFC95 speakers you intend to install and are very inexpensive at ~$45 a PAIR!!

Take your pick from this page: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10837

3) Fit & Finish--To adequately install the speaker to the stud inside the wall will require a hole larger than the ~4"x5" size of the speaker--fit & finsih of the end product will not be pleasing.

4) Bad Sound--The sound will be crap, due to the speakers, the install, and the odd resonances of this wall partial enclosure.

As you said "Sac Up" and spend the $45--way worth it!!

XEagleDriver

 

[GO-NAD!]

Almighty,

I would absolutely NOT do this for the following reasons:

1) Home resale value--this will look like (and sound like) a rube-goldberg solution of the worst order.

2) Other Better & Inexpensive Options--Even inexpensive 5.25" or 6.5" Kevlar in-walls, such as Monoprice's, are WAY better than the 1.8lb, SB-AFC95 speakers you intend to install and are very inexpensive at ~$45 a PAIR!!

Take your pick from this page: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10837

3) Fit & Finish--To adequately install the speaker to the stud inside the wall will require a hole larger than the ~4"x5" size of the speaker--fit & finsih of the end product will not be pleasing.

4) Bad Sound--The sound will be crap, due to the speakers, the install, and the odd resonances of this wall partial enclosure.

As you said "Sac Up" and spend the $45--way worth it!!

XEagleDriver

What he said...

 

[Almighty]

You're right

That's why I asked. If I'm going to put a bunch of work into I might as well be left with a quality product.
Do you know if those Kevlar speakers are paintable?
But that website is great and I think I'll get more from that site to make the whole install look better.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[XEagleDriver]

Yes they are

That's why I asked. If I'm going to put a bunch of work into I might as well be left with a quality product.
Do you know if those Kevlar speakers are paintable?
But that website is great and I think I'll get more from that site to make the whole install look better.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff,

Glad to assist.

Yes they are paintable, and come with templates both for the install (cutout) and to mask for painting.

The speaker magnets are stout, the crossovers are of suprisingly good quality given the price--I really don't quite know how they do it, but enjoy the sound immensly. I have installed four of the rectangular style in one room and two of the circular style in another room.

For the install, I found a Rotozip (or similar tool) to be way superior to a dry wall hand saw. For the circular speakers, the rotozip with its circle cutting tool attachment was worth it's weight in gold!!

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[Almighty]

Thanks again

I have my order arriving soon and I'll give you all an update how it turned out.