Ceiling Speakers for rear speakers

[cohenri]

Anyone have an opinion on using two ceiling speakers for the rear speakers in a 5.1 HT setup? The way my room is set up it would be difficult to mount speakers behind the couch (or put speakers in the rear wall). If so, what ceiling speaker do you recommend.

I am building a new HT system and I am planning on spending about $2,500 on the receiver and speakers. I am leaning toward waiting for the Denon AVR-2807 and then adding the 5 speakers.

Any thoughts?

 

[j_garcia]

I would really pick the speakers first, then find a receiver that will adequately power them. The speakers make the biggest difference in how a system sounds so they should be where you start.

I have a friend with a 7.1 setup with the rears all being in-ceiling and it works pretty well.

 

[westcott]

I would really avoid placing speakers in walls or ceilings.

Most speakers are not designed for this application and it is nearly always a sound compromise.

You can use dipole speakers on the side walls and get pretty good ambient rear surround sound.

 

[Zuke]

I have heard a few ceiling surrounds and they sounded ok. If the ceiling is higher than 8' you are going to lose some of the effect.

 

[j_garcia]

I would really avoid placing speakers in walls or ceilings.

Most speakers are not designed for this application and it is nearly always a sound compromise.

You can use dipole speakers on the side walls and get pretty good ambient rear surround sound.

If you want to get technical, ALL speakers are a compromise. I agree, in-wall and in ceiling are not the best choice and if you can avoid it, I would. To say that in wall/celing speakers were not designed for that purpose is incorrect however.

If the ceiling is higher than 8' you are going to lose some of the effect.

My friend's ceilings are 10' and it seemed to work out pretty well. As long as the speakers are spaced well enough apart and placed correctly relative to the seating area, it shouldn't be too big of a problem. This means you will need to have them installed by someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[jcPanny]

Surround speakers

Remember, the surround channels in a 5.1 system should go on the sides of the listening position. If there is no room on the side walls for bookshelf speakers, then consider inwalls with an aimable enclosure or aimable tweeter so they can be pointed towards the listening position.

The speakercraft AIM series, for example, allows you to aim the whole speaker.

 

[j_garcia]

If there is no room on the side walls for bookshelf speakers, then consider inwalls with an aimable enclosure or aimable tweeter so they can be pointed towards the listening position.

Surrounds are not supposed to be aimed directly at the listener.

 

[cohenri]

Thanks

Thanks for all of your insight. Unfortunately, I can't put the speakers to the side of the seating area because there is a door directly to the right of the couch. I think my choices are really to mount speakers in the back right/back left corners of the room or the ceiling speakers. Otherwise, I may have to consider just a 2.1 or 3.1 system. Is it better to use ceiling speakers than not having a 5.1 system?

 

[westcott]

I think my choices are really to mount speakers in the back right/back left corners of the room.

This would be the best compromise.

[/QUOTE]Otherwise, I may have to consider just a 2.1 or 3.1 system.[/QUOTE]

A minimum of a 3.1 system IMO.

[/QUOTE]Is it better to use ceiling speakers than not having a 5.1 system?[/QUOTE]

You can always disconnect them if you are not happy with their contribution and run it in a 3.1 configuration. I tried my system with the rear surrounds in the back corners and it sounded pretty good.

 

[InTheIndustry]

It will work fine...

If possible put the speakers in the ceiling and on the sides and slightly back (vs. in the back/ middle completley). Either way will sound good, but on the sides and slightly behind is ideal. If you have attic access you can build a box for each speaker using 2X4's between the joists. Fill the box with insulation before sealing it and it will sound good. I use this set up a lot for people who don't have the architecture allowing mounted or floor standing speakers for their rears.

 

[Phantomguy]

If possible put the speakers in the ceiling and on the sides and slightly back (vs. in the back/ middle completley). Either way will sound good, but on the sides and slightly behind is ideal. If you have attic access you can build a box for each speaker using 2X4's between the joists. Fill the box with insulation before sealing it and it will sound good. I use this set up a lot for people who don't have the architecilture allowing mounted or floor standing speakers for their rears.

Is it important to get the enclosure size right? If your sub is set to cut at 80HZ I thought I would need to make them about 2 cu ft to handle bass from 80Hz upward. Is this so?

Also with this idea of making ceiling enclosures for in-ceiling speakers I guess that means that it is better to ceiling mount than wall mount (where making enclosures in exiting walls is all but impossible)?