Ceiling mounted speakers
Discussion
So, following on from my fail with trying to hook a Sonos Play 3 up into two rooms, I've come to the conclusion I'm going to this properly.
So, we're in the middle of the build of our loft conversion so I can run cables in now. Plan is to plonk a Sonos ZP120 to extend the exiting Sonos system I have into a cupboard in the loft and run speaker wire to it from the en-suite, and run another set of speaker wire to the same cupboard to drive another ZP120 at a later date. In the short term, I'll use a speaker switch in the cupboard to split them should I need it, but as it's a guest room it's not going to be used extensively so I can live with the compromise.
So, I need speakers recommendations as I know nothing about ceiling speakers!
En-suite is 1.5mx2m and is effectively a massive shower with a toilet and sink, and had been looking at a single speaker unit with left and right feeds to give a more complete sound rather than have a left and right and never getting the balance right. I can live with the compromise, it's a bathroom after all.
Bedroom is more difficult. I'll have a ceiling in it, but it's a narrow strip running the length of the room. The room is 4.3 long x 3.5m wide, so thought I'd probably get away with a pair in the ceiling so long as I can angle them a touch.
Budget is tight but don't want rubbish sound as I've heard some of the cheaper ceiling speakers are a bit pants.
Thoughts?
So, we're in the middle of the build of our loft conversion so I can run cables in now. Plan is to plonk a Sonos ZP120 to extend the exiting Sonos system I have into a cupboard in the loft and run speaker wire to it from the en-suite, and run another set of speaker wire to the same cupboard to drive another ZP120 at a later date. In the short term, I'll use a speaker switch in the cupboard to split them should I need it, but as it's a guest room it's not going to be used extensively so I can live with the compromise.
So, I need speakers recommendations as I know nothing about ceiling speakers!
En-suite is 1.5mx2m and is effectively a massive shower with a toilet and sink, and had been looking at a single speaker unit with left and right feeds to give a more complete sound rather than have a left and right and never getting the balance right. I can live with the compromise, it's a bathroom after all.
Bedroom is more difficult. I'll have a ceiling in it, but it's a narrow strip running the length of the room. The room is 4.3 long x 3.5m wide, so thought I'd probably get away with a pair in the ceiling so long as I can angle them a touch.
Budget is tight but don't want rubbish sound as I've heard some of the cheaper ceiling speakers are a bit pants.
Thoughts?
I used to do work for Systemline, installing their kit in new builds to owner's spec.
It sounded pretty good too and worked ok. Quite a compex system though with cat5 EVERWHERE.
What I never got my head round (other than keeping speakers out of the way) was why you'd want sound coming from above you? other than listening to aircraft/birds flying about, sound just doesn't arrive that way in normal life...
It sounded pretty good too and worked ok. Quite a compex system though with cat5 EVERWHERE.
What I never got my head round (other than keeping speakers out of the way) was why you'd want sound coming from above you? other than listening to aircraft/birds flying about, sound just doesn't arrive that way in normal life...
Essentially, you've already got it. In the ensuite I want the speakers out of the way, and in the loft while it's a decent size I won't have space for a table or desk just to put a play 3 on it so just want them out of the way.
Fully appreciate it's not 100% audiophile but it's more in keeping with how the room will be used and more wife friendly ;-)
Fully appreciate it's not 100% audiophile but it's more in keeping with how the room will be used and more wife friendly ;-)
Agoogy said:
I used to do work for Systemline, installing their kit in new builds to owner's spec.
It sounded pretty good too and worked ok. Quite a compex system though with cat5 EVERWHERE.
What I never got my head round (other than keeping speakers out of the way) was why you'd want sound coming from above you? other than listening to aircraft/birds flying about, sound just doesn't arrive that way in normal life...
But music is artificial, why should it have an up or a down? If you're specing speakers for a home cinema with video I agree because you're talking about real sounds/effects but music is just...music surely?It sounded pretty good too and worked ok. Quite a compex system though with cat5 EVERWHERE.
What I never got my head round (other than keeping speakers out of the way) was why you'd want sound coming from above you? other than listening to aircraft/birds flying about, sound just doesn't arrive that way in normal life...
Driller said:
Agoogy said:
I used to do work for Systemline, installing their kit in new builds to owner's spec.
It sounded pretty good too and worked ok. Quite a compex system though with cat5 EVERWHERE.
What I never got my head round (other than keeping speakers out of the way) was why you'd want sound coming from above you? other than listening to aircraft/birds flying about, sound just doesn't arrive that way in normal life...
But music is artificial, why should it have an up or a down? If you're specing speakers for a home cinema with video I agree because you're talking about real sounds/effects but music is just...music surely?It sounded pretty good too and worked ok. Quite a compex system though with cat5 EVERWHERE.
What I never got my head round (other than keeping speakers out of the way) was why you'd want sound coming from above you? other than listening to aircraft/birds flying about, sound just doesn't arrive that way in normal life...
Systemline did good quality speakers, massive magnets with dedicated amplifiers, in places like lofts, bathrooms and ensuites they were/are superb... in the lounge, 5.1 set ups etc, unless you were a fan of the no furntiure/no clutter look, it just seemed odd... to me...
Agoogy said:
maybe, but when someone sings to you, or you go to a concert, they're not above you facing the floor..if you go to listent o an orchestra live then the smae applies, in every instance the sound source is moving toward you in a horizontal way...not a vertical...
Systemline did good quality speakers, massive magnets with dedicated amplifiers, in places like lofts, bathrooms and ensuites they were/are superb... in the lounge, 5.1 set ups etc, unless you were a fan of the no furntiure/no clutter look, it just seemed odd... to me...
Point taken about the live music, in a way I was playing devil's advocate. I actually think ceiling speaker use should be limited to those areas where quality isn't an issue (bathroom, kitchen etc) but in those areas the sound they give is fine IMO.Systemline did good quality speakers, massive magnets with dedicated amplifiers, in places like lofts, bathrooms and ensuites they were/are superb... in the lounge, 5.1 set ups etc, unless you were a fan of the no furntiure/no clutter look, it just seemed odd... to me...
aberdeeneuan said:
Agreed, hence why I'm just looking in those rooms where I'm not after perfection.
So anyone got any in theirs? Been recommended b&w and heard go things about kef.
I've got ceiling speakers in the bathroom, kitchen, master bedroom, gym, games room, dining room and (in hindsight a bit pointless and have got a decent hifi system in there now) the living room, so feel qualified to comment So anyone got any in theirs? Been recommended b&w and heard go things about kef.
There are also some in ceiling bipole/dipole surrounds in the home theater.They are a mix of Russound and Monitor Audio, the Monitor Audio appear to be the better of the two. I reckon if you spend between £150 and £200 a pair you'll be ok with whatever make.
B&W and Kef will both be very decent, I'd go with the B&Ws or Monitor Audio.
Edited by Driller on Tuesday 27th September 11:01
VEX said:
Leighton Buzzard. Bloody he'll, I'm just out side Tring and grew up in LB and MK.
What do u need.
V.
Ah I had it in my head that you were local! Nothing at the moment but should be moving house before the end of the year and got some plans for the new place re. lighting and multiroom music.What do u need.
V.
It would be good to pick your brains at some point (and to have a local supplier)
I'm fairly sure I've got a pair of previously installed Kef ceiling speakers somewhere in the garage that were no longer needed after remodelling. Not sure of the model off-hand, but they were a couple of hundred at the time. If so, they are available in exchange for postage costs. I'd need to check at the weekend.
No problem, PCM.
Happy to bounce ideas around over a pint or two when you are ready.
If your coming up to Grand Designs next I will be there on the ACA-Apex stand, B542.
It is a small stand, toe in the water, pitch to see what the market is like. We are usually at the Home Building & Renovating show in March.
V.
Happy to bounce ideas around over a pint or two when you are ready.
If your coming up to Grand Designs next I will be there on the ACA-Apex stand, B542.
It is a small stand, toe in the water, pitch to see what the market is like. We are usually at the Home Building & Renovating show in March.
V.
mikef said:
I'm fairly sure I've got a pair of previously installed Kef ceiling speakers somewhere in the garage that were no longer needed after remodelling. Not sure of the model off-hand, but they were a couple of hundred at the time. If so, they are available in exchange for postage costs. I'd need to check at the weekend.
That would be great and very much appreciated! Let me know. aberdeeneuan said:
mikef said:
I'm fairly sure I've got a pair of previously installed Kef ceiling speakers somewhere in the garage that were no longer needed after remodelling. Not sure of the model off-hand, but they were a couple of hundred at the time. If so, they are available in exchange for postage costs. I'd need to check at the weekend.
That would be great and very much appreciated! Let me know. 
http://www.proficientaudio.com/products/whole-hous...
Let me know if interested, else it's off to eBay (now I've retrieved them)
Edited by mikef on Thursday 29th September 18:18
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