In-Ceiling Speaker recommendation (1 Viewer)

[n3ok318]

I have recently bought a house and I have 5 holes in living room for 5.1 channel plus one subwoofer in-wall. I was wondering if anyone could recommend me some good in-ceiling speakers and an in-wall subwoofer to go with it. Also, what would be a good receiver to go with these? I tried to look but in-wall/ceiling speakers reviews are hard to come by. My budget is $500 for all. Thanks!

 

[Robert_J]

At that budget, look at the Dayton line from Parts Express or whatever Monoprice has. Does this budget also include an amp for your in-wall sub?

 

[Mr645]

Parasound has a line of in walls. Also I have seen people use car audio speakers, 6" or 6x9 speakers and a small enclosure for them. As long as the amp can handle the 4 ohm load, they work well.

 

[Mike Thomass]

just becausethere are holes for in ceiling speakers, doesn't mean you have to use them.have you considered that?

 

[Robert_J]

Actually, Mike is correct. I'd rather repair drywall that use less than adequate speakers but that's just me.

 

[Mike Thomass]

Actually, Mike is correct. I'd rather repair drywall that use less than adequate speakers but that's just me.

i wasnt joking.

 

[Robert_J]

I didn't take it as a joke. Other people can't comprehend that drywall can be repaired. My mother-in-law has a door knob hole in a bedroom wall that has been there since I've known the woman. She was surprised when I asked why she didn't repair it. It was like speaking to her in Klingon. This is also a woman who has never browsed the home improvement stores outside of the light fixture section.

 

[n3ok318]

Well, the holes already have wires all configured to the media station, to go with the custom fitted TV in the wall. So since it isn't too much work to do, I would like to utilize what's already given.

 

[Robert_J]

How large are the holes?

 

[n3ok318]

The holes are 8.4 inches in diameter. Here are the pictures of how it looks like now. In other rooms, I found these two speakers. I don't now if these are the ones that were in the living room as well.

 

[Robert_J]

Find one that fits - http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837

 

[n3ok318]

Find one that fits - http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837

Thanks Robert, looks like Monoprice offers good products. I chose following speakers. 2 pairs http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083702&p_id=4619&seq=1&format=2 1 of http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083704&p_id=6317&seq=1&format=2 And I am hesitant to buy their sub before hearing some inputs on it http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083705&p_id=4928&seq=1&format=2 Do you have any experience with them? Thanks!

 

[Robert_J]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy any Monoprice product except the sub. But I'm a sub snob. I have a 2,500w amp and dual 15" subs handling my bass duties. That little thing wouldn't come close to what I am used to hearing (and feeling). It probably worked better than more expensive models that are similar though. What amp are you going to power it with?

 

[n3ok318]

Hey Robert, Please fill me in with the info with subs. I didn't even know you needed an amp, I thought you get the power from an 120v outlet. What would be a budget sub and amp for around $200? The cutout is 12" by 11.5" if that helps any.

 

[Robert_J]

That's a passive sub meaning there is no amp. If you are running a real receiver and not some home theater in a box type setup, then you need an amp. $200 budget is good. I'll save you 20 cents - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-813

 

[Mike Thomass]

n30k, subwoofer can be powered, which means it has a built in amp. you have to plug that subwoofer into an outlet and run pre-amp outputs from your receiver to the subwoofer inputs. subwoofer can be passive as rob mentioned, which is just a box with a driver(speaker, woofer, whatever you want to call it). these require a separate amp to power it. the separate amp gets plugged into an outlet. you run the pre-amp outputs from your receiver to the amp, then run the amp output to your subwoofer. sometimes in the theater in a box setups, the receiver has a built in amp for the sub. in this case you just run the sub output to your sub. i think this is all accurate. im a noob as well.

 

[n3ok318]

That's a passive sub meaning there is no amp. If you are running a real receiver and not some home theater in a box type setup, then you need an amp. $200 budget is good. I'll save you 20 cents - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-813

I meant $200 for an amp and a sub, and cheaper the better. It is extremely hard to find 12x12' cutout in-wall sub though.

n30k, subwoofer can be powered, which means it has a built in amp. you have to plug that subwoofer into an outlet and run pre-amp outputs from your receiver to the subwoofer inputs. subwoofer can be passive as rob mentioned, which is just a box with a driver(speaker, woofer, whatever you want to call it). these require a separate amp to power it. the separate amp gets plugged into an outlet. you run the pre-amp outputs from your receiver to the amp, then run the amp output to your subwoofer. sometimes in the theater in a box setups, the receiver has a built in amp for the sub. in this case you just run the sub output to your sub. i think this is all accurate. im a noob as well.

Thanks for the info, I am learning more and more as I browse this forum

 

[Robert_J]

Less expensive Dayton amp - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812 That leaves $50 for the sub. Don't expect much boom for that price. A search at Amazon yielded 84 results under Home audio subwoofers / in-wall. I checked out the link to HTD for this one - http://www.htd.com/Products/powered-subwoofers/HD-In-Wall-Subwoofer-with-amp Yes, it is more expensive but that is a decent 10" driver and decent amp. If you are good with DIY projects you could get your own driver and use the amp I linked to above.

 

[n3ok318]

Thanks Robert, I will try to look for one that fits me. In the meantime, what do you recommend for a receiver? My budget is $150 and I don't mind used ones.

 

[Robert_J]

Something in the Pioneer line. If you want more opinions on that, check out our Receivers and Amps forum. Whatever you get, make sure it has an auto calibration system. It is worth the extra money.