How many in-ceiling speakers for kitchen/diner?

[Dazed & Confused]

Hi,

I'm knocking through our kitchen to enlarge it, and the dining table is going to go in the adjoining conservatory.

We're going to end up with an L shaped room. The kitchen across the bottom of the L (about 5m by 3m ), and the table in the top of the L (about 3m by 3m).

I want to use my Sonos Amp to run some ceiling speakers. It can run 2 speakers up to 4 Ohms each, or 4 up to 8 Ohms each.

I'm not aiming for 'pure' hifi - more as background for cooking and eating. I cannot put any speakers in the conservatory roof, so the sound from the bottom of the 'L' needs to spread pretty wide. (Furthest listening spot may be up to 3m from the nearest speaker.)

Will 2 KEF160QRs (8 ohm), Monitor Audio 165s (6 ohm) (or similar) fill the room with sound? I don't want to shell out for 4 KEFs if I don't have to. (I cannot run 4 MAs due to them being 6 Ohms each.)

I'm not fussed about stereo imaging and massive bass in this application. But I don't want any tinny crap, either.

Thanks!

[VEX]

Don't worry about the running 2 Pairs of 165. Sonos work really well with them and has no issues.

Often installed this combo.

V.

[worsy]

I've got 2 Monitor Audio CT265 in my kitchen which is 6.5 x 4 metres. On the side, level with the speakers is a family room which is 2.9 x 4.4 metres. Believe me, they fill the space. Even on half volume!

[Dazed & Confused]

Cool.

So, are the MAs better than KEF?

While 4 165s are indeed possible (thanks VEX), it seems from worsy's comment that they're not necessary for the space.

What's the difference between 165s and 265s? Are they both as flush with the ceiling as the KEFs? Could I get away with just 2 165s instead of 265s?

[VEX]

Two speakers should fill that space fine and the MA's are a great speaker range for just this application.

The main difference between the 165 and the 265's are the material used to make the cones, the 265's are more rigid, which gives them a better, crisper base response.

Hope that helps.

V.

[worsy]

As Vex says the 265 is an upgrade. For the price difference I thought it a no brainer. The MA is a flush speaker. Will see if I can post a pic.

[worsy]

[worsy]

Bit grainy as had to crop on the phone.

[anonymous-user]

worsy said:

Bit grainy as had to crop on the phone.

I don't think it was a good idea ceiling mounting that sub though.

[worsy]

Ha!

[Dazed & Confused]

Awesome - thanks!

I'll probably go for the MAs then (165 or 265 to be decided), as they're cheaper than the KEFs, get rave reviews, and are really nice and flush.

I will also not be getting them from SevenOaks who lied about the MAs sticking out way more than the KEFs. The latter of which they just happened to have in stock.