Freestanding speakers in closet vs in-wall speakers (1 Viewer)

[catinthehat85]

Hi everyone!

Just joined the forums, haven't put together a serious home theater setup in 10 years. Now that I have a house and (finally) a good budget, I'm ready to dive back in!

I've got a major remodel underway of a 23x30 multipurpose entertainment room where I will be installing a home theater system. I figured I'll keep my questions very specific as I think of them, and then make a build thread when the project is underway.

My question today is: What is the better route, freestanding speakers housed in a media closet with acoustically transparent openings, or in-wall mounted speakers? This is for the front left, center channel, and front right. The media closet will also house dual SVS PB16 Ultra's. Either setup will need to balance properly with in-ceiling surrounds.

If it matters at all, this "closet" is 34 inches deep, runs the length of the projecting wall, and runs to the top of the ceiling which is being remodeled to 10.5'.

Any advice, thoughts, or brands appreciated!

 

[JohnRice]

If you do it right, large front speakers behind acoustically transparent fabric can be great. Infinitely better and more flexible than in-wall.

Also, surrounds shouldn't be in the ceiling. that's much too high for surround speakers, especially if you also go Atmos. Atmos speakers are ideal when they are in or on the ceiling, out into the room, but surrounds should be on or in the side walls.

 

[catinthehat85]

Thanks John! I'll have to think about the in-wall surrounds. The way the room is configured, that, there is basically only wall space for one speaker directly to the left of the seating area. To the right of the seating area there is solid wall front to back. I attached a quick sketch.

 

[JohnRice]

Just don't go to all this trouble, and sacrifice the whole system by using in-ceiling surrounds.

You can use bookshelf speakers on small shelves that are just big enough to hold the speaker, or use on-wall speakers like THESE.