Ceiling Speakers - recommendations?
Discussion
As the title says - can anyone recommend good quality ceiling speakers. I'm guessing they should be directional? but, apart from that, I know nothing.
Will be used as part of a 5:1 cinema system and general music listening.
Before anyone says 'go floor mounted', the open plan nature of my house makes floor standing, and wall mounted, a non-starter.... I think!
Thanks!
Will be used as part of a 5:1 cinema system and general music listening.
Before anyone says 'go floor mounted', the open plan nature of my house makes floor standing, and wall mounted, a non-starter.... I think!
Thanks!
Gary
I'd seen another similar post, but from a house renovation by mattdaniels, here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
IIRC, VEX supplied the kit.
I'd seen another similar post, but from a house renovation by mattdaniels, here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
IIRC, VEX supplied the kit.
Thanks 5pot.
It really depends on budget and the space you have for them, in both space and depth.
Whatever you do, make sure that the cut outs for the speakers are the same across the whole range so that you can easily upgrade when and if you want to.
My personal favourites at the mid to budget range are the Monitor Audio CT range which have no lip or bezel on show at all and the grills are lovely and flat which really help the look of a ceiling.
The CT range has adjustable tweeters so that you can focus the high end sounds towards the seating area. As you move up their range you can get speakers where the whole speaker mounting swivels so the low, mid and high ranges are all more focused at the seating area but you a bit more depth in the ceiling for these. Also don't forget that you will probably need firewood step go up behind them to maintain you fire regs.
Another range that is less well known but great reviews in our market in Niles.
Hope that helps.
V.
It really depends on budget and the space you have for them, in both space and depth.
Whatever you do, make sure that the cut outs for the speakers are the same across the whole range so that you can easily upgrade when and if you want to.
My personal favourites at the mid to budget range are the Monitor Audio CT range which have no lip or bezel on show at all and the grills are lovely and flat which really help the look of a ceiling.
The CT range has adjustable tweeters so that you can focus the high end sounds towards the seating area. As you move up their range you can get speakers where the whole speaker mounting swivels so the low, mid and high ranges are all more focused at the seating area but you a bit more depth in the ceiling for these. Also don't forget that you will probably need firewood step go up behind them to maintain you fire regs.
Another range that is less well known but great reviews in our market in Niles.
Hope that helps.
V.
VEX said:
Thanks 5pot.
It really depends on budget and the space you have for them, in both space and depth.
Whatever you do, make sure that the cut outs for the speakers are the same across the whole range so that you can easily upgrade when and if you want to.
My personal favourites at the mid to budget range are the Monitor Audio CT range which have no lip or bezel on show at all and the grills are lovely and flat which really help the look of a ceiling.
The CT range has adjustable tweeters so that you can focus the high end sounds towards the seating area. As you move up their range you can get speakers where the whole speaker mounting swivels so the low, mid and high ranges are all more focused at the seating area but you a bit more depth in the ceiling for these. Also don't forget that you will probably need firewood step go up behind them to maintain you fire regs.
Another range that is less well known but great reviews in our market in Niles.
Hope that helps.
V.
Luckily I have at least 4 feet of void above the living room celing!!It really depends on budget and the space you have for them, in both space and depth.
Whatever you do, make sure that the cut outs for the speakers are the same across the whole range so that you can easily upgrade when and if you want to.
My personal favourites at the mid to budget range are the Monitor Audio CT range which have no lip or bezel on show at all and the grills are lovely and flat which really help the look of a ceiling.
The CT range has adjustable tweeters so that you can focus the high end sounds towards the seating area. As you move up their range you can get speakers where the whole speaker mounting swivels so the low, mid and high ranges are all more focused at the seating area but you a bit more depth in the ceiling for these. Also don't forget that you will probably need firewood step go up behind them to maintain you fire regs.
Another range that is less well known but great reviews in our market in Niles.
Hope that helps.
V.
I am also interested in ceiling speakers models. About to start an extension in the summer and am looking at 3 zones for audio. Lounge zone will have a TV and projector in there. Am thinking I should put an AV amp in the lounge zone so I can get 5.1 and then a Sonos Connect. For the other 2 zones, just a Sonos ConnectAmp to power them.
Any other recommendations?
Any other recommendations?
When I put mine into the kitchen, I wanted decent quality but without blowing the budget.
Bought some monitor audio having heard some b&w speakers. The b&w were nicer, but double the price. The monitors are perfect for my needs, on low volumes they sound good, same at higher volumes. Overall very impressed. They are big speakers, I was quite surprised at the size of them!
Bought some monitor audio having heard some b&w speakers. The b&w were nicer, but double the price. The monitors are perfect for my needs, on low volumes they sound good, same at higher volumes. Overall very impressed. They are big speakers, I was quite surprised at the size of them!
VEX is your man for ceiling speakers. Had 20 off him for around the house.
For the home cinema though I went with Triad Inceiling directional speakers. I have put them on previous threads but the drivers point down at 45deg to the listening position so the sound feels more like it is coming from I front of you. Not 100% perfect but much better than downward firing speakers.
Btw hi vex. Must meet up again sometime to have that beer.
For the home cinema though I went with Triad Inceiling directional speakers. I have put them on previous threads but the drivers point down at 45deg to the listening position so the sound feels more like it is coming from I front of you. Not 100% perfect but much better than downward firing speakers.
Btw hi vex. Must meet up again sometime to have that beer.
Edited by rex on Saturday 13th April 22:11
Ok, Sorry for the delay, Easter Childcare is now over and I can re-focus on work and stuff that actually pays the bills the little blighters seem to generate on a daily basis!
For general back ground / day to day listening I recommend and use these.
Monitor Audio CT165 In-Ceiling, Trimless Speakers (they are an up date of what Rex uses)
Then for bigger rooms but the same day to day use, you could use the bigger 8" CT180 versions.
For better performance and quality you then step up to the 200 Series (CT265/280's)
For Best performance and ideal for cinema type use, the IDC Ranges in both 265, 280 and 380 ranges have pivoting Bass, Mid and Tweet drivers but you need the in-ceiling depth to take them.
In the 265 and 380 ranges there are also FX speakers which can be wired as either dipole or bipole's and used as rear speakers.
All the speakers in the *65 range or *80 range have the same cut out (hole) size so it is simple to mix and match or up-grade throughout the system.
165's & 265's are 211mm cut-outs and 114mm depth, IDC's are around 160mm deep.
180 & 280's are 247mm cut-outs and 121mm depth, these IDC's are 160mm deep.
Does that help.
SRP's range from £220 a pair for the C165's upwards and if you want a few then talk to your dealer and there is usually a deal to be had on speaker bundles.
Hope that is all useful.
V.
For general back ground / day to day listening I recommend and use these.
Monitor Audio CT165 In-Ceiling, Trimless Speakers (they are an up date of what Rex uses)
Then for bigger rooms but the same day to day use, you could use the bigger 8" CT180 versions.
For better performance and quality you then step up to the 200 Series (CT265/280's)
For Best performance and ideal for cinema type use, the IDC Ranges in both 265, 280 and 380 ranges have pivoting Bass, Mid and Tweet drivers but you need the in-ceiling depth to take them.
In the 265 and 380 ranges there are also FX speakers which can be wired as either dipole or bipole's and used as rear speakers.
All the speakers in the *65 range or *80 range have the same cut out (hole) size so it is simple to mix and match or up-grade throughout the system.
165's & 265's are 211mm cut-outs and 114mm depth, IDC's are around 160mm deep.
180 & 280's are 247mm cut-outs and 121mm depth, these IDC's are 160mm deep.
Does that help.
SRP's range from £220 a pair for the C165's upwards and if you want a few then talk to your dealer and there is usually a deal to be had on speaker bundles.
Hope that is all useful.
V.
Edited by VEX on Tuesday 16th April 20:07
Here's mine:
Monitor audio but.not sure which ones-probably about 5 years old & were about £85 each I think?
I use them for my 5.1 surround sound system as I didn't want speakers everywhere & they are fine once set up with the amplifiers mic.
Not as good as my old Yamaha tower set up but very low key looks wise which is what I wanted. Unbelievably folks never notice them nor the screen. Usually folks spot the projector after about an hour or so & ask what is it is then I have to point out everything else so although once you know they are there most people usually don't.
Monitor audio but.not sure which ones-probably about 5 years old & were about £85 each I think?
I use them for my 5.1 surround sound system as I didn't want speakers everywhere & they are fine once set up with the amplifiers mic.
Not as good as my old Yamaha tower set up but very low key looks wise which is what I wanted. Unbelievably folks never notice them nor the screen. Usually folks spot the projector after about an hour or so & ask what is it is then I have to point out everything else so although once you know they are there most people usually don't.
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