Looking for good in-ceiling speakers

[richz]

Hi Everyone:

I'm new to this forum. I'm doing a renovation and I'm looking for good in-ceiling for both music and movies. People have recommended the B&W in ceiling. But this whole world is new to me.

Also, if you can provide good sellers that would be helpful also.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[m_vanmeter]

to start the conversation....why "in-ceiling" speakers ? When you mention "movies", then you are considering a home theater setup and not just ambient background music. The optimum home theater speaker setup uses directional monopole speakers in the traditional Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 speaker layout. Dolby recommends the speaker tweeters be at "ear level", or as close to it as your layout will allow.

In-ceiling speakers, even the best, are a compromise. You will never create the best surround sound soundstage with the audio coming from above your head. If esthetics (or the wife) require all speakers to be "out of sight", then I really hope you will consider in-wall speakers for at least the front three main speakers, left-center-right, and a separate stand alone in-room subwoofer. The 2 (5.1 system) or 4 (7.1 system) surround speakers may be in-ceiling units, as long as the speakers, or at least the tweeters, can pivot to aim at the listening area.

B&W is a superb company for both in-ceiling and in-wall units, as is Triad, Definitive Technology, Klipsch, PSB, Polk, and many others.

Now, after all that preaching about the ills of in-ceiling only speakers.....a few questions:
1. please let us know your budget,
2. describe the room you want to convert,
3. what audio/visual equipment do you have now, or want to get to go with the speakers,
4. are they any "deal breaker" rules you must live with..... i.e. "she who must be obeyed" said "no big speaker enclosures in the room !"

 

[mperfct]

to start the conversation....why "in-ceiling" speakers ? When you mention "movies", then you are considering a home theater setup and not just ambient background music. The optimum home theater speaker setup uses directional monopole speakers in the traditional Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 speaker layout. Dolby recommends the speaker tweeters be at "ear level", or as close to it as your layout will allow.

In-ceiling speakers, even the best, are a compromise. You will never create the best surround sound soundstage with the audio coming from above your head. If esthetics (or the wife) require all speakers to be "out of sight", then I really hope you will consider in-wall speakers for at least the front three main speakers, left-center-right, and a separate stand alone in-room subwoofer. The 2 (5.1 system) or 4 (7.1 system) surround speakers may be in-ceiling units, as long as the speakers, or at least the tweeters, can pivot to aim at the listening area.

B&W is a superb company for both in-ceiling and in-wall units, as is Triad, Definitive Technology, Klipsch, PSB, Polk, and many others.

Now, after all that preaching about the ills of in-ceiling only speakers.....a few questions:
1. please let us know your budget,
2. describe the room you want to convert,
3. what audio/visual equipment do you have now, or want to get to go with the speakers,
4. are they any "deal breaker" rules you must live with..... i.e. "she who must be obeyed" said "no big speaker enclosures in the room !"

We need a sticky on in-ceiling speakers. I think I see this question at least 5-6 times a week.

Nothing against you, Rickz. Just know that going in-ceiling presents a few more complications in getting great sound.

 

[AVRat]

I'll 2nd vanmeter's post and wait for richz's response. Actually, I think I'll copy it for future use giving proper credit of course!

 

[16hz lover]

Solus loudspeakers(in ceiling) are the best sounding per dollar I've heard.

 

[richz]

First off - thank you for the helpful advice so far. It is much appreciated.

To answer your questions:

1. One of the rooms is a family/home theater type room. The other rooms are more formal/dining. It was a major renovation so we just figured let's accomodate ceiling anyway and if we don't need them we can just cap them. We CAN put front-facing speakers in the family room. So it can be 3 facing + 4 in ceiling for that room.

2. Budget - I have no idea. Say - $400 per ceiling speaker? Is that foolish? I also need a receiver and if the front-facing speakers are needed, those as well.

3. The equipment does not exist yet. I do have a PC media center for music and some Web stuff + cable / dvr. I guess I need a nice receiver. I'll be buying a TV as well (probably 52" lcd - they're getting cheap).

4. There are no deal-breaker rules. She's a good woman! Heh.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Rich

 

[AVRat]

Well Rich we’re getting a little closer here.

How large is the family room (L x W x H)?
Facing speakers? Can they be in-room floorstanding/bookshelfs or are in-walls preferred? If in-room, how important is aesthetics? Will basic black cut it?
You want 7.1 for the HT, how many other pairs of speakers in the other rooms? Some sort of separate amplification is going to be necessary for the multi-zone speakers.
Did you wire in for volume controls for the zone speakers?

 

[greggp2]

Hi Everyone:

I'm new to this forum. I'm doing a renovation and I'm looking for good in-ceiling for both music and movies. People have recommended the B&W in ceiling. But this whole world is new to me.

Also, if you can provide good sellers that would be helpful also.

Thanks,
Rich

B&W makes great speakers in general. Also check out Sonance... http://www.sonance.com/

Sonance has some of the best in wall/ceiling speakers available as well..