Best In-Ceiling Speakers for Surround Sound

So, you’re looking for the best ceiling speakers for surround sound. You’ve arrived at the correct place! This article will guide you through the top ceiling speakers for sale on the market today.

With technology having come a long way over the years, ceiling speakers are the most efficient way to enjoy audio, while also saving space in your home or work space.  They allow you to save floor space and hide those messy wires that get in the way.

Ceiling speakers are great pieces of technology for building the best home theater, especially those that appreciate immersive sound. This article also shows how to install ceiling speakers to create a surround sound system that won’t let you down. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

1. Klipsch CDT-5650-C II

We have a winner! We love the treble and mid-bass attenuation. It is also great that the sound can be angled to the perfect position.

Offering ultimate flexibility, this is a ceiling speaker that packs a punch! The 6.5” speaker has a pivoting ceramic/metallic composite, which can rotate a full 360-degree. It can also move 15-degrees in any direction you wish, which further improves the ability to aim your sound at the perfect place.

Another impressive feature is the patented TrackTrix horn, which allows for accurate sound delivery. It also comes with the famous Linear Travel Suspension on the tweeter for a high-end frequency response. They speakers are easy to install, but you will have to purchase the installation kit separately.

2. Polk Audio RC80i

If you want a more affordable, but high-quality option, these speakers are a great choice.

Discover some 2-way speakers that are more affordable than the Klipsch speakers above. You’ll receive a set of two 8” speakers that are mineral-filled and in a polymer-composite cone. The speakers also give a dynamic balance and are surrounded with high-grade rubber.

The speakers are able to deliver a sound that is well-balanced and also super-wide.  This is all thanks to the mid-bass driver that comes with 15-degree swivel mount and soft dome tweeter.

When using a ceiling speaker for surround sound, you want a kit that is secure and won’t fall out of place. Fortunately, the Polk Audio RC80i has rotating cams that does exactly this. These cams have a low profile that makes them inconspicuous and super-easy to install. The rust-resistant and water resistant materials make these some of the best ceiling speakers for saunas, gyms, and other humid environments.

3. Micca M-8C

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4. Acoustic Audio CS-IC84

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5. Yamaha NSIC800WH

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6. Polk Audio RC65i

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7. Yamaha NS-IW280CWH

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8. Acoustic Audio R191

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9. Polk Audio 255C-RT

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10. Polk Audio 80 F/X RT

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What are the benefits of ceiling speakers?

If you want to know why to use ceiling speakers, we have your back. Truth is, there are many benefits to using ceiling speakers, especially the following situations:

Tidy – Speakers are typically built to have aesthetic designs, but minimizing clutter is the ultimate goal for many individuals. Creating a surround sound system or home theater will require lots of wires, so installing ceiling speakers is a great way to keep your room that bit tidier.

Surround sound system – Those who already have speakers that go on their shelf may want to create a sophisticated surround sound system. Ceiling speakers are the number one way to do this, as you can use them as rear channels or place them wherever you want.

Flexibility – Ceiling speakers allow you to place them wherever you want. You don’t have to move around furniture to try and make room for your speakers. Decorate your room however you like!

Immersive sound – Surround sound allows for the best immersive sound experience. After all, that’s why cinemas use speakers in the ceiling.

How many ceiling speakers are needed?

So, you may have noticed that the ceiling speakers in our list come in a number of different quantities. But how many do you really need? In short, an average sized living room would suit 2-4 ceiling speakers.  Bigger rooms may require 6 ceiling speakers to be evenly spaced out over the whole area. With that said, you may not want to only use ceiling speakers.

Generally, you will have to play about and think about the room that you will be installing the speakers into. Large rooms may require four speakers, whereas a smaller room will suit just two speakers. It’s better to have too many speakers instead of not having enough.

Sound balance – Create a balanced sound system by placing the speakers in different areas of your room. You could put two to the front of the room and two behind your sofa.

Placement – Knowing where to place your speaker will depend on the shape and size of the room. Like we mentioned above, the sound should be balanced, which means a larger room will require more speakers that are evenly placed around the room.

Other speakers – You will need to take into account the other speakers that you own. Those who are adding ceiling speakers to an existing sound system may get away with one or two ceiling speakers.

What is the best size ceiling speaker?

Offering ultimate flexibility, this is a ceiling speaker that packs a punch! The 6.5” speaker has a pivoting ceramic/metallic composite, which can rotate a full 360-degree. It can also move 15-degrees in any direction you wish, which further improves the ability to aim your sound at the perfect place.

Another impressive feature is the patented TrackTrix horn, which allows for accurate sound delivery. It also comes with the famous Linear Travel Suspension on the tweeter for a high-end frequency response. They speakers are easy to install, but you will have to purchase the installation kit separately.

Where is the correct place for ceiling speakers?

Although it sounds obvious, you should take time to consider the exact location of your speakers before drilling holes into your décor. The placement of the speakers will depend on what you will be using them for, depending on whether you want immersive surround sound or background sound. Here’s how to find the correct place for your ceiling speakers:

  • The speakers should be evenly spaced out, which will allow for a balanced sound that sounds equally good in all spots
  • Think about what you will be using the speakers for. If you want a surround-sound set-up for home theater, you may want to follow a guide or mount the speakers above the seating area. However, you may prefer background noise, where it would be better to place the speakers further away from the seating area
  • Ceiling speakers are hard t move around, so make sure to think about the furniture layout of your room. Not just what is like today, but also think about what it will be like in the future
  • Those with an existing sound system may want to place ceiling speakers in the centre of the room, which allows for general sound coverage

With these tips in mind, we recommend drawing a plan of what you want your room to look like. This will ensure you get an overview of where everything should be for the best sound. It is a good idea to do a birds-eye-view drawing that looks down on your room from above. This drawing will also include your furniture and current sound system. Alternatively, you can position the speakers on the floor under where they would be placed in the ceiling.

Remember…

Please take the following factors into account before purchasing some of the in-ceiling speakers for sale:

  • Think of where you are going to place the speakers. You should try to space the speakers out equally, which will give the best possible sound. Keep the speakers 6ft apart or as far away as possible if your room is smaller
  • You also need high-quality cables for your ceiling speakers. Imagine having the best ceiling speakers, only to ruin the sound because you used cheap wires. You’ll also need more wire than you think, as the wire will likely have to run a long way from the speaker to the amp
  • Those who have neighbours upstairs should consider using speaker hoods to absorb sound that comes from the back of the speaker. They are also helpful for minimizing fires
  • If your ceiling void is small, you will likely have to purchase slim in-ceiling speakers for surround sound. The only downside is that this type of speaker will usually cost more

How to install ceiling speakers?

Although manageable if your follow the instructions, installing your own ceiling speakers is not the simplest task in the world. Those who are DIY experts will have no problem, but those who aren’t confident should hire a contractor. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing ceiling speakers:

  1. Take time deciding where you place you speakers. You will need to consider wiring, supporting beams, and personal taste. Using a stud detector will help to locate a good place for your speakers.
  2. Use a drill to create a small hole in the ceiling, and then test the location with some wire. Make sure to use electrical tape over the end of the wire for safety. This wire should be put through the rough diameter of the speaker to install.
  3. After you’re 100% sure of the location, it is time to cut your ceiling holes. An electric jigsaw is your best bet for this task.
  4. Now you just need to wire the speakers into place, which will usually involve another small ceiling hole for where the cable can exit.

The above steps are for installing ceiling speaking into drywall.  If you have a different type of ceiling, you may want to hire a professional who will get the job done properly.

Verdict

So, those are the best ceiling speakers for surround sound. Regardless of which speaker you choose, adding this technology allows for an efficient sound system set-up, especially for home theaters.

They are fairly simply to install. You just need to remember to buy ceiling speakers that match the shape and size of your room. You should also take into account your neighbours if you have people living above you, as the sound will nearer to them.

To summarize our thoughts, the Klipsch CDT-5650-C II is what we recommend the most. However, if this speaker is not in your budget, you can turn to the Polk Audio RC80i.