My house was pre-wired for a home entertainment system, and I've been putting off installing one.. I've purchased a couple of pieces as I'd come across good deals (receiver and sub so far). So now I'm ready to purchase the built in ceiling speakers. I'm likely going to get them at Best Buy because I've got a big store credit, and have no idea what to look for. Below is a pic of the wall plates on my ceiling where the wires are. I was thinking of installing the speakers myself, but I'm assuming that requires cutting a circle into the ceiling, which is not something I want to get into. Has anybody ever installed these type speakers before, or have any advice/info?

2/15/2013 10:06:08 AM

I wouldn't do in-ceiling speakers for front channels but perhaps ceiling mount speakers angled down at your seating position. some solid bookshelf speakers would work for the fronts and a normal center channel should work. i don't know of any high end speakers that are meant for in-wall mounting

2/15/2013 10:59:51 AM

I think there are 6 pre-wired spots for speakers in the ceiling. I'd really prefer to mount as many as possible where its pre-wired for aesthetic and wife reasons.

^shows what I know, I thought most of the high end speakers were the ones that were built in.

If anybody has speaker suggestions let me know. I don't want shitty speakers, but don't watch enough tv to warrant the best thing on the mkt either.

2/15/2013 11:10:39 AM

agreed with smoothcrim.

If your TV/component stand will be oriented to where your front speakers are, i'd avoid using the ceiling wiring and just position them and your center channel at seating level. For the rears, i'd probably do what smoothcrim suggested and surface mount them and angle them towards the seating area.

I tend to prefer matched satellites + a sub from a klipsch or Boston Acoustics level. Not super high end, but infinitely better than HTIB speakers from TV manufacturers.

If you are willing to or good at getting into the weeds with tuning your receiver settings, you can get great results with mismatched front/center/rears. I personally don't have the patience or desire.

2/15/2013 11:28:01 AM

^, ^^^ Both of them nailed it.

2/15/2013 1:30:39 PM

You can buy the mounts that will let you hang bookshelf type speakers from the ceiling, and mostly hide the plates for the fronts.

I as well do not recommend in ceiling speakers for the front if you want good sound and staging. If you just want volume though, it won't really matter if you go all in-ceiling.

2/15/2013 6:44:17 PM

I never posted pics of my install, but I am really happy with it. I will post pics tomorrow, found a boston acoustics 5.1 system that had small speakers and came in white. I ceiling mounted them because my attic was easier to get to than the exterior walls in my house with the low pitch roof.

2/16/2013 11:30:48 PM