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Small in ceiling speakers


eggzlot

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Posted

100% use for streaming audio via C4 controller.  nothing with TV, surround sound, etc.  This is for music in 4 zones - kitchen, office, master bedroom and walk in the closet in the master bedroom (its a big closet - used to be a bedroom).  So all background music.  Using C4 amps (not the Triad ones, but the version right before the Triad series).  

I am trying to find something no bigger than ~7.5’’ max with the grille.  The recessed lights are around 6.5’’ so I do not mind the speaker being a drop bigger or smaller - but do not want a 9-11’ speaker grille on the ceiling.  Want the trimless/bezel less design.

Def Tech 4.5r or 5.5r from the DI Series - between $220-$250 a speaker

Monitor Audio CS140 - $150 a speaker

Speakercraft CRS3 - $140/speaker

Yamaha NS-IC400 - $150 for the pair

So the Yamaha is half the price if not more than the other varieties.  These are tough to demo in a store.  I think my local Best Buy/Magnolia has the 4.5r Def Tech and the 600 version of the Yamaha’s (not the 400 version).  So can make a close approximation but not exact because the Yamaha’s are bigger so a bigger tweeter, woofer, etc.  I’m likely headed out there later today at least to kick the tires. 

I looked at HTX, Outdoor Speaker Depot, Klipsch, Polk, Kef, Niles, QSC, Electro Voice,  etc but could not find something that matched my needs either in size, grille type, etc.  Trying to compare based on specs is not easy because most do not post the +/- dB rating for the frequency response so its not always an apples to apples comparison.

I am likely over thinking things (which I always do!) - but I wonder if the Yamaha’s at $75/speaker can really compare to the Def Tech’s that are 3x the price.  As a reference point, I spent a few grand on 3.1 set up for the living room with Quad 22LRs L/R, Quad center and a quad sub.  So I do appreciate good audio quality and I realize I am sacrificing because I am restricting both size and the application type (in ceiling) and that is a tough combo.


Posted

You missed Sonance.

Look them up. They have a in ceiling woofer and speaker combo that final product is 4” round outside diameter. Sounds incredible! Or....
http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/invisible-series

http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/architectural-series/discreet-opening-system

Is this new open walls ? Or 100% retro fit? Attic space?

Triad has invisible series that perform extremely well and void be put in a ceiling. Flat, not popcorn. And would be no sacrifice on quality and range.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gz7aiqnbd245nvy/triad-amina-mobius-dual-with-2xapui50-triad-data-sheet-rev-a.pdf?dl=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1n1o3jra02qmgn8/triad-amina-evolution-series-triad-installation-guide-rev-a.pdf?dl=1







Happy Automating!!

Posted

Check out the HDX series of in-ceiling speakers from HTD.  They sound great and won't break your wallet.  Free returns if you are not satisfied.  They ship with two different grills - one with a bezel and one without.

Posted
You missed Sonance.

Look them up. They have a in ceiling woofer and speaker combo that final product is 4” round outside diameter. Sounds incredible! Or....
http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/invisible-series

http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/architectural-series/discreet-opening-system

Is this new open walls ? Or 100% retro fit? Attic space?

Triad has invisible series that perform extremely well and void be put in a ceiling. Flat, not popcorn. And would be no sacrifice on quality and range.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gz7aiqnbd245nvy/triad-amina-mobius-dual-with-2xapui50-triad-data-sheet-rev-a.pdf?dl=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1n1o3jra02qmgn8/triad-amina-evolution-series-triad-installation-guide-rev-a.pdf?dl=1







Happy Automating!!



Totally agree on the triad or stealth acoustic.


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Posted
1 hour ago, LollerAgent said:

Check out the HDX series of in-ceiling speakers from HTD.  They sound great and won't break your wallet.  Free returns if you are not satisfied.  They ship with two different grills - one with a bezel and one without.

I mentioned I looked there but nothing in my size requirements.  Thanks though. 

3 hours ago, VINCELdUB said:

You missed Sonance.

Look them up. They have a in ceiling woofer and speaker combo that final product is 4” round outside diameter. Sounds incredible! Or....
http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/invisible-series

http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/architectural-series/discreet-opening-system

Is this new open walls ? Or 100% retro fit? Attic space?

Triad has invisible series that perform extremely well and void be put in a ceiling. Flat, not popcorn. And would be no sacrifice on quality and range.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gz7aiqnbd245nvy/triad-amina-mobius-dual-with-2xapui50-triad-data-sheet-rev-a.pdf?dl=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1n1o3jra02qmgn8/triad-amina-evolution-series-triad-installation-guide-rev-a.pdf?dl=1







Happy Automating!!

Not really sure I need invisible ones.  I’m deciding if 250/speaker is even affordable for this purpose.  I’m guessing triad and stealth invisible are more expensive for the speaker plus the extra cost for install/plaster over it etc.  sonance was 900/pair.   For music in a kitchen or bedroom - that’s overkill on the budget.   What about these sonance?  http://www.sonance.com/in-wall-in-ceiling/visual-performance/small-round-square

its a big renovation project.  Wire ran and just a small hole in ceiling w wire dangling out.  I’m told to look for 5-7.5” max with grille on.  

Came back from Best Buy and heard the 4.5 def tech.  Not bad.  The 6.5 has 1 bad speaker so was just a mono demo.  They have them in what appears to be acoustic ceiling tile/boxes so I am sure that made them sound fuller than how I’ll hear them.  Also hooked up to expensive amps vs the c4 multi channel amp.  

Just curiosity is telling me is the def tech 3x better than Yamaha or almost 2x better than monitor audio

up for other suggestions too - again trimless bezel is fine - doesn’t have to be 100% hidden. 

Posted

The enclosed back box will provide a little extra accuracy, however your joist space above will do the same. You can also get flexible fillers if needed. They close in the air space around your drivers.

Sonance is pricey. But worth it imo.

You could do this. Lots to match your pot lights. More filling sound. Then use a external subwoofer to fill it in.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=31033




Happy Automating!!

Posted
13 minutes ago, VINCELdUB said:

The enclosed back box will provide a little extra accuracy, however your joist space above will do the same. You can also get flexible fillers if needed. They close in the air space around your drivers.

Sonance is pricey. But worth it imo.

You could do this. Lots to match your pot lights. More filling sound. Then use a external subwoofer to fill it in.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10837&cs_id=1083703&p_id=31033




Happy Automating!!

Exterior sub?  Where can one place a sub in the kitchen 🙂.  And I’m not adding expense of in wall or ceiling sub.  This isn’t Dolby Atmos 11.2 for a theater.  It’s a kitchen, bedroom and office to listen to Pandora, Sirius com and doorbell chimes. Is 75-100 a speaker enough or bump up to about 200-250?  More than that isn’t in the budget.  

Any thoughts on the cheaper sonance?  They fit the size specs.  

Posted

I will look into the pricing for Sonance for you. Specific model in mind? 150 per speaker max should suffice imo.




Happy Automating!!

Posted

I have Origin Acoustic (D Series) speakers with two 16 channel AudioControl matrix amps.  I love them.  Sound is amazing at any level, whether background classical or blasting top 70’s and 80’s.  But budget is well above the $150 price point.  It comes down to listening preference.

Posted
8 hours ago, VINCELdUB said:

I will look into the pricing for Sonance for you. Specific model in mind? 150 per speaker max should suffice imo.




Happy Automating!!

Sonance has published pricing.  Looking at those Sonance ones I linked to earlier, monitor audio cs140 and the episodes 1500 series.  I think that’s my final list.  I can demo the sonance locally but not the other two.  Def tech demo was ok but at 500 for the pair I wasn’t wowed.  I’d be ok with that same feeling at 300-350 a pair 🙂

6 hours ago, C4 User said:

I have Origin Acoustic (D Series) speakers with two 16 channel AudioControl matrix amps.  I love them.  Sound is amazing at any level, whether background classical or blasting top 70’s and 80’s.  But budget is well above the $150 price point.  It comes down to listening preference.

Thanks for the tip but if it blows away my 150-220ish budget then I need to not ask for more info 🙂 but it’s good you found something you like. 

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