HELP no idea about speakers!

K

katheD

Audiophyte
Hi there,

I just renovated my kitchen and dining area and I wanted in-ceiling speakers so i went to best buy and purchased 8" In-ceiling speakers Polk RC 80i. (two for the kitchen and two for the dining room).
Now i need to make them work but i don't know what to purchase is it an amp, is it a receiver? all i want is to play some nice music when i have people over at my home.
I don't know if this exists but i will like to be able to play the music from my cellphone (apple or android) and hear it in the speakers, also be able to use spotify.

Can anybody help me and tell me what do i need to be able to have this features. I don't like loud music so i don't think i will need a sub.

Thank you in advance.
Kathe
 
everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
Did they wire volume controls? What's your budget
 
K

katheD

Audiophyte
Did they wire volume controls? What's your budget
What do you mean with wire volume controls. Forgive me for my lack of knowledge but i have no idea about watts and things like that. The speakers i got still in the box unopened. they're the polk rc 80i two pairs.
Budget: nothing too expensive just something that works and has the features i would like to have.
 
everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
Did you have the wire run when you remodeled? If so did they wire in volume controls for each area? What's your budget
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K

katheD

Audiophyte
Budget: Nothing too expensive, but mostly would like something with the features of playing the music that's on my phone and using Spotify.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
So you're going to cut into the ceiling and wire it now after the re-model? You doing this yourself or hiring someone? The ready to go bookshelf speakers with the built-in amps and bluetooth afterlife is suggesting just might be a heck of a lot easier....
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
I would not carry out your plan. That is yesterdays technology. You need a wireless system like Sonos.
 
everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
Again who wants any visible speakers in that area? Dont disagree with the options, but for background music on a budget and kitchen and dining room, I wouldnt want to see speakers let alone the space requirements. Not sure what @TLS Guy means by old tech but the listed gear covers your requirements.
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
Hi there,

I just renovated my kitchen and dining area and I wanted in-ceiling speakers so i went to best buy and purchased 8" In-ceiling speakers Polk RC 80i. (two for the kitchen and two for the dining room).
Now i need to make them work but i don't know what to purchase is it an amp, is it a receiver? all i want is to play some nice music when i have people over at my home.
I don't know if this exists but i will like to be able to play the music from my cellphone (apple or android) and hear it in the speakers, also be able to use spotify.

Can anybody help me and tell me what do i need to be able to have this features. I don't like loud music so i don't think i will need a sub.

Thank you in advance.
Kathe
I have 2 pairs of RC80i...in my system they function at Atmos speakers...they're fine for that or basic whole house music where SQ is not your primary concern...just want the music.

If SQ matters (I understand loudness does not) and you want to stick with in ceiling speakers...you can still do better than the Polks, but it will cost more $.
 
BoredSysAdmin

BoredSysAdmin

Audioholic Slumlord
Hi there,

I just renovated my kitchen and dining area and I wanted in-ceiling speakers so i went to best buy and purchased 8" In-ceiling speakers Polk RC 80i. (two for the kitchen and two for the dining room).
Now i need to make them work but i don't know what to purchase is it an amp, is it a receiver? all i want is to play some nice music when i have people over at my home.
I don't know if this exists but i will like to be able to play the music from my cellphone (apple or android) and hear it in the speakers, also be able to use spotify.

Can anybody help me and tell me what do i need to be able to have this features. I don't like loud music so i don't think i will need a sub.

Thank you in advance.
Kathe
I would not carry out your plan. That is yesterdays technology. You need a wireless system like Sonos.
Hello Kathe,
And welcome to AH. Usually, people ask us what to get (including speakers). While you have a fairly clear idea what you want, but oblivious to how to get there. It is possible to get where you want but it won't be cheap or easy.
TLSGuy is right. Return the polks and get either Sonos or Denon's HEOS system. Getting a SmartSpeaker is another decent choice. These devices would provide you with decent sound, ease of use and install, as well as lots of good features.
 
tmurnin

tmurnin

Full Audioholic
Just to be clear, I'm assuming that your home isn't currently wired for in-ceiling sound, meaning that there are no existing speakers or face plates in the ceiling today. If you wanted to install those Polks (or something similar), you would have to cut into your drywall ceiling and run speaker cables from every speaker to some sort of music source (aka an amplifier or receiver), and you'd ideally want wall-mounted volume controls as well. While it is possible to do this, you need to understand that it would be a messy and costly project and would either require you to do the work or to hire a contractor (possibly multiple) to run the wire, install the speakers and connect them, and then patch and paint the holes cut into the drywall.

That is why people are recommending the Sonos/HEOS options. You can get relatively unobtrusive Sonos speakers that sound great for background music (the Play:3 or a couple of Play:1's are nice), they are very simple to set up and operate, and don't require any modifications to your house.

If you are dedicated to the in-ceiling approach, I'd look up a local contractor who specializes in home audio, or maybe an electrician, but that cost is likely to be well over $1000.
 
D

Drunkpenguin

Audioholic Chief
Kath hasnt posted since Saturday, I feel like maybe they are not coming back? But this is why I suggested throwing an Amazon Echo in the kitchen. I think OP was way over their head and Bluetooth speakers were built for situations like this.
 
tmurnin

tmurnin

Full Audioholic
Kath hasnt posted since Saturday, I feel like maybe they are not coming back? But this is why I suggested throwing an Amazon Echo in the kitchen. I think OP was way over their head and Bluetooth speakers were built for situations like this.
Agree completely. I just wasn't sure she understood what we were trying to tell her
 
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