In ceiling speakers

[GrumpyTwig]

So I think I get the usual idea, run some wires, cut some circles in the ceiling and fit etc. etc.

But... do these things generally have some kind of enclosure behind them? it'd seem terrible to fit an open backed speaker into such an open space to me but maybe I'm missing something.

[PixelpeepS3]

we've got a stereo pair in the kitchen diner ( 8" with directional center tweeter ) and 4 in the living room for the AV amp.

We bought cheap speakers as a stop gap - the electrician was in fitting the downlighters so thought i'd get him to put some speakers in while he was there.

points to note:

they were from amazon, Pyle - £50 for 2 - wasn't expecting anything really, just needed something in there until we could splash out properly
there are no enclosures/boxes the loft is the backbox so to speak (bungalow)

Now they won't win any audiophile competitions but they don't sound half bad - we are in no immediate rush to replace them with expensive ones now put it that way.

with the AV system in the living room - having a separate sub and dialogue speaker they work really well having them in the ceiling.

hopefully that answers some of your questions

[anonymous-user]

It depends.

I've installed kef ceiling speakers that were in their own plastic enclosures . You rely on the sub for bass.

Some cones are designed to be " free air". Very stiff magnets. Again though, you'll get your mids and highs from them, and your bass from a sub.

[morrisk1]

we bought ours from https://kitchenbathroomradio.co.uk/ [Systemline E200BT]

I think it's owned a PHer, but can't remember now. Very happy with them, although they don't really get used that much!

[GrumpyTwig]

Thanks all, will likely just install without any backbox then.

[MJNewton]

Aside from audio quality (some benefit great from a sealed rear enclosure) there may also considerations of air/sound/smell leakage and compromising fire breaks. It's not really a black and white issue but can instead vary greatly depending on situation.

[paulrockliffe]

£50 a pair? Mine were £20 and my experience matches your. I might try some expensive ones eventually, but then changing them all gets expensive.

I didn't put anything behind, not a problem with chipboard over but there is some sound leakage. I'm doing the loft at the moment and will wire in some extra speakers below while I can. I'll box them all in and I'm sure that'll be sufficient.

[GrumpyTwig]

I was looking at some Monitor Audio C165's as the rest of my kit is MA speakers. There is a void but also a floor above though it's only storage space so noise leak upstairs isn't too much of an issue.

Still debating if I truly need ceiling speakers on top of the 5.1 but that's not how it works is it

[TheRainMaker]

Would always recommend fitting hoodies to open backed speakers.

[tuffer]

I have these hooked up to a Sonos system, sound really good: http://uk.kef.com/architectural-speakers/architect...

[GrumpyTwig]

TheRainMaker said:

Would always recommend fitting hoodies to open backed speakers.

By hoods you mean a flexible material opposed to a rigid box? if so what's the benefit vs just having nothing?

[TheRainMaker]

These

https://www.hoody-speakerhoods.co.uk

Fire is the main one, but they will also help keep the sound in the space it was intended.

If there are living areas above where the speakers are installed they should be fire rated or fitted with hoods.

[anonymous-user]

GrumpyTwig said:

I was looking at some Monitor Audio C165's as the rest of my kit is MA speakers. There is a void but also a floor above though it's only storage space so noise leak upstairs isn't too much of an issue.

Still debating if I truly need ceiling speakers on top of the 5.1 but that's not how it works is it

I had either C165 or 265s in my last place (can’t exactly remember which) but they give superb sound.

I looked them up again a few months back as I’ll be using them again and I see they now offer closed back models as well as the open backs.

[anonymous-user]

tuffer said:

I have these hooked up to a Sonos system, sound really good: http://uk.kef.com/architectural-speakers/architect...

I installed these for my uncle in a room where he didn't want visible speakers. Worked great.

http://uk.kef.com/ci200-3qt

[VEX]

garyhun said:

I had either C165 or 265s in my last place (can’t exactly remember which) but they give superb sound.

I looked them up again a few months back as I’ll be using them again and I see they now offer closed back models as well as the open backs.

You had 265's Mr Hun.

The open backed ones are designed to be that way and are called 'infinity baffle' So they work fine straight into an open void.

Some speakers sound better and are designed for enclosures which strengthen the bass.

We would always recommend (and fit) fire and accoustic hoods, although it technically / legally depends on the number of floors and the substrait seperating the floors. Hoody's are good, but no real accoustic barrier to sound bleed to the room above (i know, i have them fitted in the lounge/cinema space to Atmos and Centre)

V.

[anonymous-user]

Cheers Vex.

So how would you choose between the open or closed backed models?

[anonymous-user]

It really depends on what's available, and ulimately , doesn't matter that much if you are running a subwoofer - which anyone with a 5.1 setup would be.

Open speakers will produce all high and mid frequencies, just no bass. Closed/sealed speakers might produce more mid bass, and also handle more power if sealed.

Just for movies - then how much bass the Left and Rights can make is almost irrelevant. For music it's a little different.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks!

So the enclosure is not a built-in substitute for an acoustic/fire hood, it’s more about quality of sound?

[VEX]

Technically not for fire regs, no.

Most would think it, as I suspect would most building control guys, but as the speaker ‘back-can’ is attached to the speaker of the mountings fail in a fire, the whole thing would fall out, exposing the big hole.

With a separate speaker acoustic / fire hood if the mountings fail the hood would remain and isolate the fire from the ceiling void.

HTH

V.

[anonymous-user]

Cheers!