Ceiling Speakers

[phillj]

Hi everyone,

I am looking into ceiling speakers (like a lot of you) and I am looking for some that will do:

Frequency Response less than 50Hz - 20kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Power about 50W
Preferably directional tweeter

The problem I have is that I am on a budget and need about 5 pairs (ideally) of mono speakers. The cheap ones are generally crap and the good ones are very expensive!

I have seen some like this:

http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr6085.html
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6x-AV-link-952-542...51903a60fc

Which on paper seem to do everything I want, but how do I know if they sound good or not? (I know the answer is probably take a risk and try them, but wondered if anyone else had used them)

Does anyone have any recommendations?

It would be nice to get a list of good (and bad) speakers here for everyone to use

[elootos]

(07-28-2010 03:02 PM)phillj Wrote:  Hi everyone,

I am looking into ceiling speakers (like a lot of you) and I am looking for some that will do:

Frequency Response less than 50Hz - 20kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Power about 50W
Preferably directional tweeter

The problem I have is that I am on a budget and need about 5 pairs (ideally) of mono speakers. The cheap ones are generally crap and the good ones are very expensive!

I have seen some like this:

http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr6085.html
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6x-AV-link-952-542...51903a60fc

Which on paper seem to do everything I want, but how do I know if they sound good or not? (I know the answer is probably take a risk and try them, but wondered if anyone else had used them)

Does anyone have any recommendations?

It would be nice to get a list of good (and bad) speakers here for everyone to use

Oooo, I'd be interested in knowing if those speakers are any good!

I have a Monitor Audio C165-T2 in my bathroom and it sounds damn good! A single stereo speaker that has a fair amount of kick to it. To describe it; it sounds like a speaker in the ceiling. I know that sounds an obvious thing to say, but that's what it is: a good speaker that sounds like it has been sunk in to the ceiling. Simple!

Not sure how those you've found would compare but at the price they're at it must be worth a punt.

[fixiehipster]

(07-28-2010 03:02 PM)phillj Wrote:  It would be nice to get a list of good (and bad) speakers here for everyone to use

well after months of back breaking work on my house i'm very close to needing things like ceiling speakers so would also be interested in what people could recommend.

Just finished laying the tiled floor in my kitchen. So got to put up the cupborads and then move in!

Exciting times thats for sure.

[phillj]

I am currently trying to convince my wife to let me take the floor up to run cables and speakers I think it might take a lot more convincing! We shall see! Once I have permission, or the balls to just do it and see what happens I will give it a go.

I tried the ones at work today, MCM Custom Audio 8" ones, running from a Denon PMA-355UK and the music lacked any base (and sounded like it was coming from the ceiling).

Do you find the Monitor Audio C165-T2 gives you enough bass? Also how is a single stereo speaker working out for you? Sounds like a great idea for the bathroom.

[elootos]

(07-29-2010 08:20 AM)phillj Wrote:  Do you find the Monitor Audio C165-T2 gives you enough bass? Also how is a single stereo speaker working out for you? Sounds like a great idea for the bathroom.

It's loud that's for sure

I went for a single stereo due to space and cost. Too many holes in a small ceiling would look OTT.

The cone looks and feels like it has loads of capable bass in it, but due to it not being backed properly (just some ceiling insulation) it sounds 'normal'.

I'd hoped to get some serious bass given that it has an infinite baffle but perhaps if I'd spent a bit more time fabricating a backbox it might perform more like I'd dreamed!

Not knocking it though, sounds damn good

[phillj]

(07-29-2010 09:06 PM)elootos Wrote:  

(07-29-2010 08:20 AM)phillj Wrote:  Do you find the Monitor Audio C165-T2 gives you enough bass? Also how is a single stereo speaker working out for you? Sounds like a great idea for the bathroom.

It's loud that's for sure

I went for a single stereo due to space and cost. Too many holes in a small ceiling would look OTT.

The cone looks and feels like it has loads of capable bass in it, but due to it not being backed properly (just some ceiling insulation) it sounds 'normal'.

I'd hoped to get some serious bass given that it has an infinite baffle but perhaps if I'd spent a bit more time fabricating a backbox it might perform more like I'd dreamed!

Not knocking it though, sounds damn good

Strangely enough I was thinking of a back box too I am sure we could knock one up fairly easily, its, just taking the floor up again

[cliffwright]

(07-29-2010 09:06 PM)elootos Wrote:  It's loud that's for sure

I went for a single stereo due to space and cost. Too many holes in a small ceiling would look OTT.

The cone looks and feels like it has loads of capable bass in it, but due to it not being backed properly (just some ceiling insulation) it sounds 'normal'.

I'd hoped to get some serious bass given that it has an infinite baffle but perhaps if I'd spent a bit more time fabricating a backbox it might perform more like I'd dreamed!

Not knocking it though, sounds damn good

Maybe this might be an option . . . http://www.dynamat.com/products_architec...nabox.html . . . just a shame it seems to cost as much as the speaker itself!

I've wondered whether there's a more cost effective version that I could 'make' out of Dynamat and something else . . . much easier if it's not a retrofit job though . . .

[upgrade11]

I don't know about taking up the floor to run wires! Can you run them through the ceiling? I think a wireless speakers option sounds wonderful! That could be a compromise!