This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.
It sounds beautiful, right?
That awesome surround and home theater sound that you experience when you are in the club?
It feels like you are right in the middle and the sound is vibrating right through you.
That’s what you get when you install ceiling speakers in your home.
In ceiling speakers are the rave right now and everyone wants to install them in their houses.
But the problem is how do you pick out the best ceiling speakers for your home?
There are lots of brands and products in the market today, that pick out a good one might be a little confusing.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the best in ceiling speakers, what you need to consider before you make a purchase, how ceiling speakers work and some tips to get the best of them.
At a glance, here is the Top 3 Ceiling Speakers in 2019
1. Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling/In-Wall Speakers (Click for the latest prices on Amazon) – Editor’s choice – produces seamless audio quality and superior sound quality.
2. Yamaha NS-IW280CWH In-Ceiling Speaker (Click for the latest prices on Amazon) – 100 watts maximum input capability
3. Klipsch R-2650-C II In-Ceiling Speaker (Click for the latest prices on Amazon)
What are ceiling speakers?
Simply put, ceiling speakers are speakers that are mounted in your ceiling to provide a clean and minimalistic appearance.
What this means is that instead of mounting them by the side or in front, they are mounted right in your ceiling.
So the wiring usually runs from the sound unit to the back of the speaks and that’s how they are powered.
Should you go for in ceiling or in wall speakers?
This is one question that a lot of people have.
While both of them have the advantage of conserving space and reducing the risk of having wires running around, there are some advantages and disadvantages you need to consider.
One advantage in wall speakers have over ceiling speakers is that it can be easily removed or reinstalled in a different location if you get it wrong the first time.
Whereas a ceiling installation will definitely be much harder to move about.
Again in wall speakers have the added advantage of producing sounds at ear level which is comfortable for most people while in ceiling speakers are not.
However, making a purchase depends entirely on you.
There is no hard and fast rule.
All you need to know is that in ceiling produces a better listening experience that the others.
Advantages of ceiling speakers over the normal speakers
- They do not take up any space on your floor leaving you with a clean and tidy environment
- They provide a clean and minimalist appearance
- They also provide an awesome sound and surround sound effect that makes it enjoyable experience.
- Using a ceiling speaker, you get rid of unsightly cables and wires on your floor.
Things to consider before making a purchase
Before you go ahead and buy any speakers to mount on your ceiling, there are some things you need to consider.
Why?
Simply because you want to get some that will offer a lot of value for you and last for a long time.
Here are some things that you need to consider.
1. What is the sound quality?
This is probably the most important factor you need to consider before you make a purchase
You want to make sure that whichever one you buy can produce good sound quality and has that surround and home theater effect.
Most of them will usually come with sub-woofers and tweeters that help to enhance the sound quality.
One thing you should know is that the sound quality will most likely depend on the placement and where you position the speakers.
2. What is the wiring capabilities?
Next you want to make sure that the speakers you get can be easily wired and do not have to many wires running around.
This is because you want to reduce the risk of accidents occurring from wire trips and falls.
So make sure that the product you get can be easily connected to the mains and power supply.
Also you want to make sure that it is very easy to install.
Ceiling speakers are usually very small and as such you should not require a technician or professional to install them
3. Are they durable?
You want to make sure that they last for a long time.
This is because when you install them, you cannot easily remove them or swap them for another one.
You can but it is going to take a lot of time and effort.
So you want something that will last and not spoil easily.
4 What is the price?
Finally you want to get something that fits into your budget.
Most of these products cost about a few hundred bucks and you want to make sure that you get something that falls within that range.
One thing you need to know is that you get what you pay for.
So there is no need trying to save some cash that will cost you some headache down the road.
Our 5 Best Ceiling Speakers
1. Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling/In-Wall Speakers
This is probably the most common and popular ceiling speakers in the market today.
It is very easy to install and can be done without any experienced help. All you need to do is to make a hole, pass the wires through and drop your speakers and you are ready to go.
It has rotating cams that makes it very easy to secure the speakers and make sure they do not fall off.
It has an 8 inch dynamic balance sound and a mineral filled polymer composite cones that helps it deliver some of the best audio sounds ever.
It has a soft dome tweeter and a swivel mount which also helps in enhancing the sound it produces.
It is made from rust resistant and very durable materials which makes it suitable for use in places such as saunas, bathrooms and your living room.
2. Yamaha NS-IW280CWH In-Ceiling Speaker
This is a pair of ceiling speakers that comes with 6.5 inches polypropylene mica cone sub-woofers. This helps to make sure that the sound quality produced is very good and of high quality.
It has a unique ¾ inches dome tweeter with Soundmax technology that also helps to give it good sound quality and bring out the best in your audio.
It has a 100 watt maximum input capability that makes sure it delivers some of the best audio without cracking
It’s swivel tweeter helps to make sure that the sound produced is widely dispersed and not just in one place.
3. Klipsch R-2650-C II In-Ceiling Speaker
These in ceiling speaker are very good when it comes to performance and durability.
They are made from moisture and rust resistant material which ensures that they last for a very long time.
It has a large 8 inch polymer cone with high sensitivity that helps to produce good quality audio.
It is very easy to install and requires no professional help
It has a unique dome tweeter that helps to provide clear highs and also improve the overall sound quality.
Overall, if you are looking for a quality and inexpensive ceiling speakers, then this is the ideal choice for you.
4. Energy EAS-6C In-Ceiling Speakers
These are a pair of in ceiling speakers that produce awesome audio sounds.
It has 1 inch aluminium dome tweeter and an injection molded woofer that helps it produce quality sounds.
It has a 100 watts power handling which makes it ideal for use in whatever part of your house.
It is very easy to install and is perfect for both small and large environments.
It is made from materials that ensures ultimate high performance and are very durable.
5. Bic America 8-Inch In-Ceiling Speaker
This is a two way in ceiling speaker system that produces great sounds.
It has a pivoting titanium tweeter and 8 inch polypropylene woofer that combines to give out great audio sounds everytime.
It has a dynamic peak of 375 watts that delivers the power required to produce awesome sounds
It is magnetically shielded which means that it cannot be easily affected by outside interference such as phones or tablets
It is very easy to install, made from durable materials and comes with a 7 year warranty.
Tips for installing your ceiling speakers
- Make sure they are well placed in areas that will produce the best sound. So you want to make sure that you avoid places where they are covered and also places where they are not well ventilated.
- When wiring, you want to avoid putting your wires where they will interfere with your plumbing, ventilation, cooling or heating system.
- You want to make sure that they are not placed in hot in humid areas.
- You want to make sure that they are well connected and very close to the source of power
1. Do you need an amplifier for ceiling speakers?
No.
Ceiling speakers are passive speakers which means that they do not have built in speakers but receive their power through speaker cables that is run from an external amplifier. What you need to do is to wire each ceiling speaker up to the binding posts on the amp.
2. Are ceiling speakers good for surround sound?
Yes they are very good for surround sound.
I recommend the Sonos Amp for the most user friendly experience and it is ideal for use with ceiling speakers.
Make sure you choose “surround sound” then it will calibrate to ensure that your ceiling speakers act as your rear sound channels.
3. Do ceiling speakers need fire hoods?
Yes they do. It is a legal requirement that all ceiling speakers have fire hoods which are installed below any habitable rooms or any means of access or escape.
This will ensure that you are safe and nothing disastrous happens in the case of a fire outbreak.
4. How far apart should ceiling speakers be?
It is advisable and best practice to place your ceiling speakers at equal distance from each wall, along the length of the room and at least 2 meters away from each other for awesome stereo separation effect.
5. How do you remove ceiling speakers?
- Start by using a screw driver (preferably a flat head screw driver) to disengage any retention clips holding the speaker assembly to the mounting system in the ceiling.
- Carefully pull the speaker out of the ceiling
- Unplug the audio cables from the back of the speaker and remove the speaker from the ceiling completely.
Conclusion
Getting quality ceiling speakers should not be confusing.
All you need to know is that you want something that will last and is very easy to install.
All the products reviewed in this article are of that standard.
