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Looking for some general comments from experience with in-ceiling speakers

AndySTL

AndySTL

Well-Known Member
In about 2 weeks we are beginning a major home renovation. This has been a long time in the making, we've been in this house for 11 years and always planned on doing this. Two years ago we did a phase 1 where we renovated the entire upstairs. In that phase we moved our laundry room upstairs where all 4 bedrooms are, and we gutted/reconfigured both bathrooms. Additionally we put in hardwood flooring and trim to replace the carpet. It was a big success and we were happy with the result.

Now it's time for phase 2. We are using the same contractor and we are renovating the main floor of the house. The project will similarly reconfigure the layout on main as well as all new kitchen, powder room, floors, trim etc... We're also planning to coffer the family room ceiling and updating the fireplace wall. I am planning on having shelving to place nice medium sized bookshelf speakers on for the TV audio, but I am considering putting in-ceiling speakers for rear channels and also in the kitchen area for music or extended TV audio playback.

I am debating whether or not to do this and am interested in hearing feedback from those that have have. Cost is definitely a factor, and I know this whole project can become a runaway train if we keep adding every little trick in the book. Now is definitely the right time if I ever want to put speakers in the ceiling. So, fire away with your thoughts....is this worth the extra expense or should we think twice about spending money on in-ceiling speakers we may not use all that often?
 
AndySTL said:
In about 2 weeks we are beginning a major home renovation. This has been a long time in the making, we've been in this house for 11 years and always planned on doing this. Two years ago we did a phase 1 where we renovated the entire upstairs. In that phase we moved our laundry room upstairs where all 4 bedrooms are, and we gutted/reconfigured both bathrooms. Additionally we put in hardwood flooring and trim to replace the carpet. It was a big success and we were happy with the result.

Now it's time for phase 2. We are using the same contractor and we are renovating the main floor of the house. The project will similarly reconfigure the layout on main as well as all new kitchen, powder room, floors, trim etc... We're also planning to coffer the family room ceiling and updating the fireplace wall. I am planning on having shelving to place nice medium sized bookshelf speakers on for the TV audio, but I am considering putting in-ceiling speakers for rear channels and also in the kitchen area for music or extended TV audio playback.

I am debating whether or not to do this and am interested in hearing feedback from those that have have. Cost is definitely a factor, and I know this whole project can become a runaway train if we keep adding every little trick in the book. Now is definitely the right time if I ever want to put speakers in the ceiling. So, fire away with your thoughts....is this worth the extra expense or should we think twice about spending money on in-ceiling speakers we may not use all that often?
Click to expand...
What will this room be used for? General TV watching with an occasional movie or your main movie room/area? If a general area, then put the money somewhere else.

My 2 cents....

Our general watching area is setup with stereo and a sub. Simple. Sounds great. Sub really isn't necessary.
 
It’s our primary family and entertaining space. Semi open concept and flows between new kitchen and family room. We also have a basement with a projector but we watch 95% of our tv in this family room.

For the past 11 years it’s been 2.1 and it’s been fine.
 
It’s a big space and the rooms offset each other. I’ll try to snap some pics later to
Illustrate.
 
Demo started yesterday and I am still trying to decide if I want to add them. I think I am leaning towards yes as it's pretty far from one corner of the kitchen to the TV. Not sure if these pics can really do justice but in the top pic I am standing in the far corner of the kitchen and you can see the TV on the brick fireplace wall in the distance. In the other photo I am standing in the corner near the TV taking the pic back towards the kitchen area.
 
I'd put them in the kitchen so you don't have to blast the music in the family room to hear it.
 
Those look nice and should move enough air to give you at least a little bit of bass. There is no reason to go super nuts with ceiling or in-wall speakers, as they are so limited by where they are and how they work (wall resonance and such). Those look like they are somewhere in the sweet spot.
 
I ordered a WiiM Amp during Prime Day today, this will drive the kitchen in ceiling speakers. If I don’t like it, I figure it’ll be easy to sell on Facebook.
 
I may gave switched gears from the Monoprice speakers to these. I need to double check that I have enough height between floors for these to install without much trouble.

Polk Audio 70-RT
 
the WiiM Amp arrived today and the Polk speakers have been ordered! The speaker wires have been run from the ceiling to the basement but I am probably going to wait to install the speakers until more of the kitchen work is completed. I will probably have the contractors guys hit the speaker grills with the ceiling paint when they are paining the ceiling so it all blends in as good as possible.
 
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