Ceiling and Wall Mounted vs. floor stand speakers

[kesylvester]

I am about to install a home theater system and need more experienced opinions. While I have an ear for high quality sound, I do not have the time to listen to and compare every system. Seeking opinions about wall and ceiling mounted vs. floor or shelf systems. Brand names would also be helpful.

 

[GranteedEV]

Ceiling mounted are only for background listening... don't bother for anything other than a kitchen or PA setup.

On paper, a well designed wall mounted setup can have some definite advantages; unusually even power response and improved sensitivity.

The main problem is that it can cause phantom images to muddy up the soundstage/imaging/on-axis response. Speakers IMO are preferably 5 or more feet away from any boundaries in my opinion with very round frontal features.

How much that matters to total fidelity, is not something I know. You can still get good sound quality with a wall mounting. In-walls with high volume back-boxes are generally prefered over shallow on-walls to produce non resonant bass.

Before suggesting anything we really need to know your budget!!!

 

[htgeek]

I've heard a lot of in wall/ ceiling speakers (Triad, Atlantic Technologies, Episode, Speaker Craft) and if placed correctly they can produce quality sound. That being said I do prefer in room floor standing speakers. Sometimes just moving a speaker a inch or two can make a difference in what you hear. In walls don't allow the ability to experiment with placement. If you decide to go that rout try to consider all variables, room acoustics and volume of air you need to move, seating placement (ear height across all seats) if you have the opportunity get your hands on the speakers and play around with placement before pulling wire and cutting holes. Also make sure they have a good back box accessory or are built into a box. But really my recommendation is to go freestanding system. Overall better sound and ability to play with your environment can't be matched.

 

[walter duque]

When it comes to In Wall systems this http://www.magazine-audio.com/2008/cinepro-home-theater/ is the best that I have ever listened to, but I am sure there is better. This system can also be wall mounted and also comes with grills.

 

[bikdav]

My Opinion

The in room floor standing speaker option [or a "bookshelf" speaker on speaker stands] sounds like the best option. That's how my systems are. In my case, this option resulted in almost no set up and installation headaches and _ believe it or not _ less money.

 

[FirstReflection]

In-room speakers are always sort of the defacto choice. Wall-mounted speakers represent a likely compromise, and in-ceiling speakers even more so!

Basically if you CAN use regular tower or bookshelf speakers, then that is the choice that most of us would find the most comfortable. But if you are seriously limited in terms of placement, then towers or bookshelf speakers aren't always the best choice. If your speakers are going to be crammed right up against a wall or two anyway, then you might as well look at speakers that are designed to go right up against the wall!

Paradigm, RBH and Focal offer in-wall and on-wall speakers that I quite like. Paradigm's Signature on-wall speakers are very good, and not too picky about placement, but they are also expensive! RBH's selection of in-wall speakers are impressive, as are Focal's, which can also be wall-mounted with their back-boxes.

In-ceiling speakers should not be used for any front channels and should only be used for surround or surround back channels when you have no other option, IMO. They're an OK compromise for surround duty, but I'd never ever use them for the front three.

 

[bikdav]

Good Points

In-room speakers are always sort of the defacto choice. Wall-mounted speakers represent a likely compromise, and in-ceiling speakers even more so!

Basically if you CAN use regular tower or bookshelf speakers, then that is the choice that most of us would find the most comfortable. But if you are seriously limited in terms of placement, then towers or bookshelf speakers aren't always the best choice. If your speakers are going to be crammed right up against a wall or two anyway, then you might as well look at speakers that are designed to go right up against the wall!

Paradigm, RBH and Focal offer in-wall and on-wall speakers that I quite like. Paradigm's Signature on-wall speakers are very good, and not too picky about placement, but they are also expensive! RBH's selection of in-wall speakers are impressive, as are Focal's, which can also be wall-mounted with their back-boxes.

In-ceiling speakers should not be used for any front channels and should only be used for surround or surround back channels when you have no other option, IMO. They're an OK compromise for surround duty, but I'd never ever use them for the front three.

Thank you for clearing that up. I forgot about the on wall speaker option. You're very right about the ceiling speakers. Not long ago I heard those being used for surround duty _ 5.1 channels _ and even there, it wasn't that impressive.

 

[DD66000]

As was mentioned, if you have the room to place the L/R speakers about five feet away from the side walls and out at least four feet from the end wall, that will give you the best possible soundstage, especially for stereo playback.

If you have to go with in-wall/on-wall, I'd do on-wall, as you can experiment with their placement. Whereas, with in-wall, once you cut out a patch of drywall and don't like the sound, you have a bunch of patch up work to do.

We could also use a budget you have in mind.

 

[bikdav]

Hey DD66000, I like that picture of the JBL L212 that you put up in your photo. I remember hearing that three piece system during my high school days. That was my very first introduction to a powered subwoofer. Yes, I was impressed with the L212 system.

 

[DD66000]

Hey DD66000, I like that picture of the JBL L212 that you put up in your photo. I remember hearing that three piece system during my high school days. That was my very first introduction to a powered subwoofer. Yes, I was impressed with the L212 system.

Those are not just any L212s. As you can see, they are mirrored imaged, providing a better soundstage. Second, I built dc biased XOs, what JBL calls Charged-Coupled Networks. Which eliminates capacitor distortion. JBL started using those on the original Everest back in the '90s and every K2 and the new Everest II, since.
I've got them connected to a Parasound P7 pre-amp/HCA 2205A power amp.