Home Theatre - ceiling speakers

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

In my new house - we have 10ft ceilings - and I would like to install ceiling speakers (we have a "great room") - Home theatre

trying to remain uncluttered.

Looking at the Russound SP-H6TT 6.5"

mainly because they got good reviews in a mag I read.

Thinking of going with the infinity outdoor aluminium body (because my neighbors have got years of use out of theirs - saltwater environment...

Anybody have any other suggestions?

jriera · 09-21-2006, 08:35 AM

Went wit JBL's SP8C 8" for ceiling. So far happy.

kaisen · 09-21-2006, 08:37 AM

I had the same JBLs in my 9 ft ceiling as home theatre surround-only and they worked perfectly for the staging and fill. Why buy uber-expensive esoteric speakers for the rears?

adamred · adamred's Garage

Putting JBLs in our new space right now...

stevepaa · 09-21-2006, 08:41 AM

I was looking at the Bose type to mount on walls. You are doing ceiling mounted, where and how many do you place?

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

So JBL's are good then? I thought the Russound were better (and 240 a pair.)

jriera · 09-21-2006, 08:51 AM

JBL's are good enough (and also 8" vs. 6.5"). My fronts, center and subwoofers are also JBL (not in-ceiling). I use the in-ceiling for middle and rear (in a 7.1 environment). I also use the same JBL's for all house music. Let me know what do you want to do and I can help ... I use to design those things for a living.

kaisen · 09-21-2006, 08:52 AM

Are you looking for ambience music? Rear 5.1 or side 7.1 surround? ALL speakers in 5.1/7.1?

I think HOW you are using them will make a difference to our recommendations.

I have assumed that you will have 'large' conventional front speakers and a center channel, then use these for side and/or rears.

I really liked my JBLs.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

all speaker in 5 :1 want a set of outside speakers I can set up on "B" speaker channel

basically green would be speakers - But from what it sounds like - I should keep my large tower front speakers, maybe add a center speaker in the ceiling?

here's a rough drawing of the "great room" grean squares being locations of speakers

jriera · 09-21-2006, 09:15 AM

DO NOT use in-ceiling for center speakers, 90%+ of the surround sound comes from the center speaker (dialogs and such) invest in a good center speaker (i.e. JBL EC35) or you will be sorry. in-walls for left and right are also OK (i.e. JBL HTI8)

Where are you going to install the subwoofer?

kaisen · 09-21-2006, 09:43 AM

Have you considered just doing the BOSE cubes and being done with it?

What type of television? Wall hung? Tube? Projection?

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

TV is Samsung DLP- 50" subwoofer on the floor by the TV - ok - so no on center speaker.

That's why I am asking - also interested in the Bose in walls - anybody have any experience with them?

I guess I could revise my front ceiling speakers to in wall bose and just by a decent subwoofer and center speaker.

jriera · 09-21-2006, 09:54 AM

I have a very particular opinion about Bose... same as Monster Cable ... just a marketing plot, not worth the money, your mileage may vary ....

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

hey, good to know - and I asked for opinions -

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

recommendations for good in ceiling / in wall speakers? JBL/ Any others?

jriera · 09-21-2006, 10:05 AM

Go to the Pelican forum for Audio/Video systems http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=89

Don't get scare about some of the 'recommended' speakers price, good learning experience.

kaisen · 09-21-2006, 10:12 AM

With a 50" DLP you should be able to have the center channel on the top of the set or directly underneath it if you use a stand. If that is the case, invest in a high-quality center channel and buy a set of four timbre-matching recessed speakers (fronts in-wall, rears in-ceiling).

With a television that size, you could get by with 'real' front speakers. I have a 65" Mitsu, Definitive Technology bi-polar monsters w/ integrated 10" Supercube subs for fronts, a Definitive timbre-matched center, and JBL titanium tweeter rears. Absolutley love it! But the TV is too big.

David · David's Garage

I liked the Polk for the money, I don't know what range you're looking at.

I also put a pair in the kitchen ceiling since we can see the TV from the kitchen but we couldn't hear it without it being too loud in the living room.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I have been using Polk speakers for years - they sound fantastic. I like their top line called LS. Pricey but not crazy pricey.

Eric Coffey · 09-21-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeremyD
recommendations for good in ceiling / in wall speakers? JBL/ Any others?

For in-walls I would recommend Definitive Technology. Specifically the bipolar units for surround.

FYI if you end up going with the JBL's: The manufacturer sells factory-refurb. in-wall sets on eBay at excellent prices (direct from the factory, same warranty). Look up seller "Harmanaudio".