The 10 Best Ceiling Speakers for 2022 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Ceiling speakers provide an excellent surround experience.
Ceiling speakers could be an incredible addition to your home audio system.
They sound great, take up no extra space and become almost invisible once installed.
The other good thing about the ceiling speakers is that they can be fitted in any room.
For somebody who likes to tune in to their most loved track amid a shower can fit them effortlessly in their bathroom, and for someone who likes to enjoy music while cooking, can install them in the Kitchen.
Today, we will walk you through reviews of the 10 best ceiling speakers, which we believe could be a great choice for anyone.
Ceiling speakers are actually very common in America, and you would see them installed in most of the homes.
If you like to get a surround sound experience while watching TV, or you would like to listen to music in any part of the home, then the ceiling speakers would be your best bet.
They could be installed anywhere.
Apart from the living room, which is the most common installation area, these speakers are widely installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and saunas.
So if you are one of those persons, who like to enjoy music amid cooking and shower, ceiling speakers would be a good fit for you.
The best thing about the ceiling speakers is that they get installed without cluttering up your decor and takes no extra space.
This way you get an excellent surround sound system without placing any bulky speakers in your room.
The other good thing is that the ceiling speakers are not too expensive either, moreover, they could be installed by the consumers themselves, which saves a lot of money on hiring someone to do that.
While picking any ceiling speaker, we did in-depth research for two things:
First, Is this speaker suitable for installation at home?
Second, Is this speaker moisture-proof?
End results are that all of the ceiling speakers on this list are moisture-proof, and 9 out of 10 are perfectly suitable for homes.
Pure Resonance VCA8 on this list is ideally built for large halls, conference rooms or classrooms. So installing it in a small room would be an overdo.
All of the speakers on this list are from the leading brands in the industry. The best on this list, RC 80i, is from Polk, which is the most popular brand when it comes to ceiling & in-wall speakers.
We didn’t have to test a lot of products since we already knew which were the most popular ceiling speakers in the market.
We overall tested only 14 speakers, and out of them, we picked 10 best ceiling speakers to be mentioned here.
We tested and chose all the speakers on these two major aspects:
Surround sound: The true performance of any ceiling speaker is usually analyzed by how good the overall surround sound on them is.
All the speakers on this list offer an excellent surround sound performance.
Installation process: Installation process for all the speakers is usually the same but still we double-checked that every ceiling speaker follows the simple installation process that could be carried out by the users themselves without the help of any professional.
The installation guys usually charge couple hundred dollars for just the installation which is standard fees, but still, if you can save that money by doing everything by yourself then why not do it.
Best Ceiling Speakers for 2022 – Quick Look
(Click on the name of any speaker to read it’s in-depth review)
| Speakers | Size | Tweeter | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk Audio RC80i (Editor's Choice) | 8 inches | 1 inch | |
| Polk Audio RC6oi | 6.5 inches | 0.75-inch | |
| Yamaha NS-IW280CWH (Editor's Choice) | 6.5 inches | 3/4 inch | |
| Micca M-8C | 8 inches | 1 inch | |
| 82C Silver Ticket | 8 inches | 20mm | |
| Pure Resonance VCA8 | 6.5 inches x3 | N/A | |
| Yamaha NSIC800WH | 8 inches | 1 inch | |
| 652S2C Silver Ticket | 8 inches | 2x20 mm | |
| Pyle Pro PDIC60T | 6.5 inches | 1 inch | |
| Polk Audio 70RT | 8 inches | 0.75 inch |
1. Polk Audio RC80i – Best Overall Ceiling Speaker
Polk Audio has an exceptional presence in the market when it comes to speakers.
The company is a trusted manufacturer of Audio products and is notable for designing home and automobile speakers.
None the less whatever it produces is unquestionably the best.
RC80i is a 2-way 8 Inch ceiling speaker that delivers very rich and balanced stereo sound making it a perfect speaker for every household.
- Power range: 20-100 watts.
- Mineral-filled polymer 8-inches composite cone with dynamic balance.
- Moisture resistant and durable.
- 1-inch dynamic balance metalized soft dome tweeter along with 15-degree Swivel mount.
Our In-Depth Review:
Though the speakers are made up of a robust and moisture resistant element, that doesn’t mean that they are waterproof. You can not throw waters at them and expect them to work fine. They are just moisture resistant, which makes them suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and saunas.
The speaker features durable complex driver baskets that keep the moving part in rigid alignment and wide dispersion technology that allows the surround sound to reach each and every corner of the room, doesn’t matter at what corner the ceiling speakers are installed.
After reviewing so many ceiling speakers we could say that the installation process for a few of them could be complicated, but surprisingly the same for these ceiling mount speakers is dead easy.
If you have installed some other ceiling speakers in your home before, then the process would be the same, and for those doing it for the first time, the user manual that comes along would guide you through every minute step.
Talking about the sound quality, it is really impressive and you are hardly going to face any issue with them. The sound gets filled in the room quite nicely and the speakers can get pretty loud without any distortion. Perfect high and mids with some good amount of bass.
We would suggest you use them for a few days and then evaluate the overall performance. Some audio devices need a little break-in period to showcase their full potential.
Talking about the price point, these might not be the cheapest pair of speakers on the market, but they are not too expensive either. The speakers truly deliver complete value for money.
Pros
- Beautiful design with a paintable grill.
- Great Surround sound that reaches every corner of the room.
- Equipped with a 1-inch metalized soft dome tweeter.
- Extremely easy to install.
Cons
- Metal used on grille is not sturdy.
Conclusion:
RC80i is the perfect ceiling speaker with hardly any drawbacks. The moisture proof material makes it good to be used in Saunas, bathroom and kitchens, the places where most of the people prefer to listen to music. The price is affordable, and until and unless you are obsessed with some other specific brands, you must go with this.
2. Polk Audio RC6oi – Smaller Alternative to RC80i
You can see RC60i as the younger sibling of RC80i.
It is not much different in terms of specifications, other than the size, which is comparatively 1.5-inch smaller than the RC80i.
Polk Audio RC60i is a clean modern-design ceiling speaker that would cost you a few dollars less than the RC80i.
Like it’s successors, this also comes in white color, and is not prone to moisture damage, which makes it perfectly suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and saunas.
- Frequency response ranges from between 40Hz to 20Khz.
- Flush, round-shaped design.
- 6.5 inches dynamic balance polymer composite cone.
- Moisture-proof construction.
Our In-Depth Review:
The midrange is clear and the Highs are solid. The bass is undoubtedly great, but if you want to get the best of bass, try using them with a Home theater system. The sound is not just loud, but it’s also distortion-free, which means even at the highest volume level, the sound will not crank up.
The RC60i is designed keeping audiophiles in mind. The speakers are said to pair with a variety of other speakers, which make them good for mixing and matching purpose.
The installation process for these ceiling speakers is no different than the RC8oi and we were able to install them easily and quickly. But still, if you are not sure how to install them, then hire an expert to do the job. We believe some of the people might not like drilling holes all over the ceiling.
The tweeter added to the RC60i allows the speakers to be used in large rooms with complete surround in every corner. We installed them in our large hall and felt no difference in hearing from any of the corners.
The dimension for each speaker is 6.5 inches, which is large enough but pretty smaller than RC8oi. Like RC8oi they also disappear well in the ceiling architecture and are hard to notice after installation. Additionally, you can paint the grille to match the decor.
The RC60i is made of robust materials, that give it a really long lifespan. Along with durability, the material used is also moisture resistant, which means you get to install the speakers in your bathroom, kitchen or saunas, without worrying about them getting damaged.
Pros
- Tweeter distributes the sound to every corner equally and perfectly.
- Equipped with a 0.75 inch metalized soft dome tweeter.
- Moisture-proof body for use in bathrooms and saunas.
- Easy to install for the first timers.
Cons
- Grill is slightly weak.
Conclusion:
Polk is a really trusted brand when it comes to speakers, and RC60i from them are the perfect ceiling speakers in terms of both the quality and the price you pay for it. The overall look and sound quality is exceptional and we are sure that you would love them.
3. Yamaha NS-IW280CWH – Excellent 3-Way Speaker
Yamaha is one of the greatest manufacturers of speakers in the world. From smallest to the largest speakers, Yamaha manufactures everything.
Yamaha Ns-IW280 is a 6.5-inches speaker as similar to Polk RC60i, but the difference between them is that this one is a 3-way ceiling speaker system while the one from Polk is the 2-way speaker system.
Rest comparing the prices for the speakers at our second and third position, there is hardly any difference there.
Yamaha NS-IW280CHW speaker can be bought in a pair, set of 4 and set of 6, depending upon the need.
- Dual 3/4 inch dome tweeter.
- The maximum power input of 100 watts.
- Swivel tweeter that helps in a wide dispersion.
- 6.5 inches polypropylene mica cone woofers.
Our In-Depth Review:
These are probably the most awesome pair of ceiling speakers from Yamaha that are also very affordable. With an adequate amount of power, you will get a really impressive surround sound with bright highs and solid lows.
The bass is precise, nether it’s too much nor too less, its exactly what ceiling speakers should have. But, In case you feel like you need more punchy bass, you can connect them to a sub-woofer.
Though the manufacturer hasn’t said anything about them being moisture resistant, we personally used them in saunas and bathroom, and we also know many people who have been using them for years in bathrooms, kitchens, and saunas, and have faced absolutely no issues, which means they could be installed in those moistured places.
The installation process for the Yamaha speakers is no different than the Polk audio. It’s quite simple and can be easily done by following the steps in the user manual. Each speaker comes with a template to cut out the ceiling, which makes it extremely easy for you to do everything by yourself.
Talking about the design of the speakers, it’s simple and comes in white color. Once installed, as similar to other speakers, they become almost invisible.
Looking at the picture of the speaker you might think that they do not come with a paintable grill. So, we here want to confirm that the Speaker does come with a white-colored grill, that can be painted to match any decor.
Pros
- Moisture resistant build.
- It comes with sound max technology.
- 3/4 inch swivel tweeter for wide dispersion.
- No distortion even at loud sounds.
Cons
- No cons.
Conclusion:
Yamaha NS-IW280CWH is one of the best 3-way ceiling speaker systems you will ever see. The sound quality is extremely clear and bass is precise. The installation is process is quite easy and we are sure users would be able to install them by themselves. Overall a very good product from yamaha at an affordable price point.
4. Micca M-8C – With Crossover Network
Micca M-8C is a 2-way ceiling speaker that comes in different sizes. The one we are going to talk about today is a 8-inch speaker.
Like the other speakers mentioned above, Mica M-8C does not come in a pair. So, if you want to want to buy a pair, make sure you add 2 speakers to the cart.
Overall it is a great sounding speaker with an excellent bass output.
- 1 inch soft dome tweeter.
- Clear sound signature with robust bass.
- 6db crossover network.
- Available in both In-wall and In-ceiling options.
- 8-inch poly mica woofer.
Our In-Depth Review:
Micca M-8C is designed with carefully selected components to provide you exceptional value for money.
The combination of 8-inch poly woofer and a 1-inch tweeter dome provides extreme flexibility in terms of audio configuration. This makes it suitable for users with different tastes in music.
The build quality of the speaker is pretty robust which would last for years without any issues. The white grill that comes along is paintable, so in case you want the speaker to be of the same color as your decor, you can do that with the help of a paint mask that comes along in the package.
The best thing about the Mica M-8C is the Poly-mica woofer. It not only delivers clear and loud vocals, but it is also capable of delivering solid bass, that allows you to use the ceiling speakers without any subwoofers.
The installation is very easy with the template that comes along. Just mark and cut the hole with a drywall knife, use the built-in mounting tabs and you are all done. If you had ceiling speakers in the past, then the installation process would be more easy, since the installation holes would be already in place.
The Speakers are also suitable for installation in bathrooms and saunas. The cone is built of plastic and the surrounding is made of rubber, which helps in keeping it safe from splashes and moisture.
Talking about the most important thing that is sound quality, the sound, first of all, is very clear. You can clearly hear the vocals at even loud levels. The excellent sound is then supported by the robust bass. The bass might not be as much you get with a sub-woofer, but it is enough to not make you feel like you need a sub-woofer.
Pros
- It comes with an 8-inch poly woofer and a 1-inch tweeter.
- Detailed sound reproduction.
- Easily blends in any decor.
- Suitable for installation in bathrooom, kitchens, saunas.
Cons
- No Cons.
Conclusion:
Mica M-8C is a very powerful competitor to other brands both in terms of specifications and price. It’s hard to get a 8 inch ceiling speaker at such a price point that sounds good, looks great and most importantly comes with a robust bass. Additionaly, The Mica M-8C is available in both both in-wall and in-ceiling variant.
5. 82C Silver Ticket – With OZ Magnet
82C is a 8 inch 2 way ceiling speaker that comes with poly mica woofer and rubber edges.
This 82C Silver ticket is one of the most popular and affordable speakers on this list.
The speaker is available in two sizes: 8 inches and 6.5 inches with different variations including ceiling, in-wall, and angled in-wall.
The price point is similar to other speakers from Polk and Yamaha, which makes it a really tough competition for the big brands.
- 30oz magnet that delivers clear and detailed sound.
- 20mm silk dome tweeter.
- Power handling capacity: 60 -120 watts.
- Solid and moisture-resistant construction.
Our In-Depth Review:
82C is a versatile 2-way ceiling speaker that works great with all the stereo systems and high-end home theater systems. The 8-inch poly mica woofer helps in delivering a clear stereo sound that can be enjoyed from any corner of the room. Combine it with a 20mm silk dome tweeter and you are looking at something really awesome.
The installation process is, as usual, easy and can be done by anyone by following the simple user manual that comes along. Talking about the places where the speakers can be installed, it can be installed in the rooms and even bathrooms and saunas since it is made up of moisture-resistant material.
The look and feel of the speaker are no different than any other ceiling speaker in the market. The accent trip around the edges makes them really disappear in the ceiling, which is a very important thing for any ceiling speakers. The speaker in itself is pretty solid. The material behind the grill is enough to keep the dust away. The build quality of the tweeter is also pretty solid.
The speakers come with everything that’s needed for installation. Even if you are a beginner, the chances are you will not face any difficulty installing them. The templates that come along, make it easy for you to cut the right size holes and fit the speakers within.
Talking about the sound quality, the speaker produces a full range of surround sound that could be felt from any corner of the room. Highs, mids, and Lows are clear, and the bass is pretty tight. You can definitely feel the punchy sound while watching movies. For the best possible experience, you can hook them up to a subwoofer.
Pros
- 20mm solid built silk dome tweeter.
- Poly-mica cone woofer with rubber edges.
- One of the most top-rated ceiling speakers.
- Suitable for bathrooms and suanas.
Cons
- No Cons.
Conclusion:
As said earlier, there is absolutely nothing wrong about the 82C ceiling speakers. They look good, are build up of really sturdy materials, come with a 20mm tweeter for sound stage configuration, and above all come with a 30oz magnet that delivers excellent sound.
6. Pure Resonance VCA8 – Built for Large Halls
Pure resonance VA8 is the most advanced ceiling speaker on this list.
It is basically an array/combination of 3 speakers that acts as one speaker.
The Resonance VCA8 is ideally built for conference rooms, churches or any place that involves a gathering of people.
- Fire retardant ABS housing.
- 8 ohms independence and 120 watts output wattage.
- The ABS housing of the speaker can be painted to any color to match the decor.
- Omnidirectional speaker coverage.
- Combination of 3 full-range drivers.
- Each speaker measures 6.5 inches in size.
Our In-Depth Review:
It might be ideally suited for large halls and conference rooms, but if you want to install it in your home, you will still get a great audio experience.
The combination of speakers simultaneously emit great surround sound, which is not just loud, but it is also very clear. The speaker in itself is very lightweight but comes packed with some really powerful tech.
The highs and mids are extremely accurate and the low end is fair considering the size of the speaker. We have tested them in big halls with high ceilings and the sound was surrounding really well. This excellent sound dispersion is achieved with high-performance drivers working together to create an omnidirectional sound.
The installation process is easy and no different than any other ceiling speaker. Simply cut the ceiling, fix the speaker, attach the wires and you are good to go. The hole for this ceiling speaker would be quite larger than any other speaker mentioned in this list, but that wouldn’t affect the installation process at all.
The price of the speaker is not cheap, which is very obvious since you are buying an array of speakers. Also, the speakers are serving a big hall, not a small room.
Pros
- Excellent surround sound.
- Ideal for large halls, conference rooms, churches, etc.
- Great dispersion of sound across the hall.
- 3-6.5 inches drivers fixed together.
Cons
- No Cons.
Conclusion:
If you are looking to get spakers for a classroom, conference hall or any place that involves a gatherng of people, then you must buy this speaker. They are diealy built for such scenarios and works great. The stereo sorround sound from them is pretty awesome and the overall build quality is nice as well.
7. Yamaha NSIC800WH – 8 Inch Speaker
This speaker from Yamaha is a crossover type 2-way 8-inch ceiling speaker that has a very slim profile design.
The 8-inch speaker is available in 4 different variants including 90 watts, 110 watts, 120 watts, and 140 watts output power.
The speaker in itself is a high performing ceiling speaker with excellent low and mids sound reproduction.
- Cross-type 2-way speaker.
- 8 inches poly-mica cone woofer.
- Paintable grille to match the decor.
- Moisture and dust resistant seal back cover.
Our In-Depth Review:
Yamaha is a very trusted and popular brand when it comes to producing audio devices. We have already seen an excellent budget-oriented ceiling speaker from them, and this one is slightly better than that in terms of the overall design.
The ceiling speaker comes with 8-inch poly mica cone woofer and fluid-cooled soft-dome tweeter. The tweeter swivels so that the user can attain the highest frequency. This could be really helpful since every user has a different audio preference.
The 8 inches Yamaha original double-layer cone helps in delivering natural and clear sound. Along with it comes unique ridges shaped aluminum cap that eliminates frequency peaks in mids and highs, producing even and smooth sound.
The body of the ceiling speaker is paintable, which means it can be easily painted with any color to match the decor. The body is also moisture and dust resistant, that allows you to install the speaker in the bathroom, kitchen or even sauna.
The installation process is very simple. You just have to take out the templates from the package and drill the holes according to the size of the template, and then fix the speakers.
The sound quality overall is really good with some real punchy bass. The sound is clear and well surrounded. You can efficiently hear the audio in every corner of the room. As soon as you will play the music on them you will feel the bass. There would be some thump.
Pros
- Slim profile design makes the speaker hard to notice.
- It comes with a silk dome tweeter.
- Paintable grill and moisture-resistant body.
- Natural and smooth stereo sound.
Cons
- No cons.
Conclusion:
Yamaha NSIC800WH is undoubtedly a very powerful speaker. The sound quality is very natural and smooth with no frequency bumps. It is giving head to head comptetion to all the 2-way ceiling speaker in this this list, so we would advice you to compare wisely.
8. 652S2C Silver Ticket – With Loud volume
652S2c is a 2 channel 2-way ceiling speaker that comes with a 30oz magnet which helps in delivering clear distortion free sound.
Silver ticket offers 652S2c ceiling speaker in various sizes and types including 5.25 inches, 6.5 inches, 8 inches, 2 channel, 2 way, angles in-ceiling and in-ceiling speaker.
This speaker comes with 2x20mm silk dome tweeter that helps in producing silk-smooth sound at any desired frequency.
- 8 inch poly-cone woofer with rubber edge.
- 2x20mm silk dome tweeter.
- Frequency response: 40Hz – 20,000Hz.
- Power handling capacity: 60 watts normal and 120-watt peak.
Our In-Depth Review:
Silver ticket ceiling speakers are something that could be fully trusted. We also have 82C from the company on this list, that delivers a great audio experience. The speakers might not be the cheapest ones that you will ever find, but, they are definitely one of the best ceiling speakers you will ever see.
The 652S2C is a mid-budget ceiling speaker that comes with an 8-inch poly cone woofer, which performs exceptionally well and brings music to life. The 2x20mm done tweeter that comes along is quite different from any other ceiling speaker. It is extra lightweight and produces amazing highs.
The installation process for the speaker is similar to any other 8-inch speaker. Each package comes with cut-out templates and paints masks, which makes it very easy for the user to install the speaker themselves. Anyways, you always have the option to hire someone to do the installation for you.
The body of the speaker is made up of high-quality materials and is also moisture and dust resistant, which means it is completely safe to install the speaker in the bathroom, kitchens, and saunas. The grill is of white color which could be painted to match the color of decor.
If you compare them to some of the other brand’s speakers on this list, then you will hardly find any difference. They are equally good in terms of both sound quality and build quality.
Pros
- 2x20mm silk dome tweeter that produces amazing highs.
- Dust and moisture resistant build.
- It also comes with a 30oz magnet.
- Distortion free sounds even at high volumes.
Cons
- No cons.
Conclusion:
82Sc is a great mid-budget ceiling speaker that performs great even at high-volumes. The 2x20mm works great for tuning and woud come handly for all of the users. We assure you that this speaker would be a really good addition to your home audio system.
9. Pyle Pro PDIC60T – Great Power Handling Capacity
Pyle ceiling speaker is probably one of the cheapest ceiling speakers on the market.
It available in two different sizes: 6.5 inches and 8 inches and is usually sold in a pair.
Pyle ceiling speaker is a 2-way mount speaker that has 2 ways for installation: In-wall installation and ceiling installation.
- Comes with a 70V transformer.
- 2-way stereo sound speakers.
- It comes with a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter.
- Flush mount design.
Our In-Depth Review:
The speaker that we are reviewing today is 6.5 inches in size, equipped with 1-inch high-temperature voice coil. It is a great ceiling speaker that in combination with 70V transformer delivers clear stereo surround sound that could be enjoyed at any corner of the room.
The most special thing about this speaker is its power handling capacity. Till now, all the speakers that we saw had the maximum power handling capacity of 100 watts or 120 watts in the best cases. In the case of Pyle pro, the maximum power handling capacity is 250 watts, which is insane.
The speakers can be used both as in-wall or ceiling speakers. In case you change your mind in the near future, you can switch the speakers between your wall and ceiling. Integrated amplifier switch and wiring connection make it easy to set up.
The installation is easy and even a new user can install it with the help of a cut-out template that comes in the package. We recommend not to hire someone to do that as it would cost you a good amount of money, but, if you can afford it, you can go for that route too.
Pros
- It could be used as both in-wall or ceiling speakers.
- Can handle power up to 250 watts.
- One of the cheapest ceiling speakers available.
- Inbuilt 70V transofrmer for better performance.
Cons
- Putting grill on/off could be a pain.
- Sound quality could have been better.
Conclusion:
Sound might not be the best, but it’s good, and since they are so cheap, we can not not complain much about that. It also has some unique features like 70V inbuilt tranformer and the power handling capacity of upto 250 watts, that would create some loud sound.
10. Polk Audio 70RT – With Excellent Bass
Polk Audio 70RT is a high end ceiling speaker, for which you would have to pay an extra amount as compared to other ceiling speakers.
As compared to other Polk ceiling speakers, this speaker features some exclusive technology.
One of the things that’s extraordinary in this speaker is the bass. It comes with dual-band bass ports that help in delivering deep bass.
- 3-Way speakers.
- Built with exclusive thin sheer-grill.
- Dual-band bass ports.
- Excellent Stereo surround sound.
- 0.75″ dome tweeter.
Our In-Depth Review:
70RT excels at everything including build quality, sound quality, and bass quality. The sound quality is definitely better than any low budget ceiling speakers. Also, according to us, they are the best-looking ceiling speakers on this list.
Installation is really simple with the templates that come along. Additionally, the speaker in itself is very invisible once installed in the ceiling. The build quality of the speaker is really sturdy, they will hardly get any damage with time and would definitely last for several years without any issues.
The speaker is usually black in color that comes with a white grille that could be painted to any color to match the decor.
The 70-RT is powered by power port technology and dynamic balance and comes with 3/4″ dome tweeter, 7-inch subwoofer and 2.5″mid-range driver for a personalized and smooth sound experience.
One thing that is extraordinary with 70RT is the overall bass. It is not a huge bass, just a precise tight bass. This excellent bass response is achieved by dual-band ports. You might not feel that extraordinary bass in a large room, but in small rooms, you will surely feel the punch.
Pros
- Unique design and great build quality.
- 3 drivers for uncompromised mid-range.
- Dual-band bass ports for improved bass.
- It comes with perfect fit templates.
Cons
- Price point is lightly higher as compared to other speakers.
Conclusion:
Polk 70RT is a brilliant 3-way in-ceiling speaker system from Polk that produces an amazing sound with precise bass. The look of the speaker is quite unique and build quality is excellent as well. Yes, it is an expensive speaker, but it is completely worth.
Ceiling Speakers – Buyer’s Guide
In-ceiling speakers have become a popular choice among users who are trying to build a smart home for themselves.
With an increase in popularity, there has been an increment in the number of brands in the market that offer in-ceiling speakers. Some of the major brands include Polk, Yamaha, Jbl, Bose, etc.
Apart from different brands, ceiling speakers also come in various sizes and colors, which makes it even more confusing for the customer to make a choice.
So with so many brands in the market, which one you should go for?
In this Buyer’s guide, we will give an answer to some of the general questions about ceiling speakers and will also walk you through the complete guide on how to choose a great ceiling speaker for yourself.
Why do I need a Ceiling Speaker?
You must be thinking ” Why shouldn’t I go for a normal speaker and put it in my room? “. Well, firstly, a normal speaker will take quite a space in your room, while the ceiling speakers, on the other hand, takes up no extra space and still provide a good sound experience. Secondly, the normal speaker won’t be able to produce the surround sound like the Ceiling speaker does.
Now there are many advantages to getting a ceiling speaker:
- It will save you some space. If you have kids at home, who have a tendency to knock off things, which is common with most of the kids, this will prevent them from knocking off the speakers.
- There is no chance for you to trip over the cables as there are no visible cables in-ceiling speakers.
- They provide better surround sound, which will allow you to enjoy movies and watching sports in a much better way.
We agree that installing an in-ceiling speaker would take some time and it is a fairly complicated task, but trust us, the end results are worthwhile.
Advantages of a Ceiling Speaker
Saving some space in the room
There is barely any spare space in our room, and regular speakers are bulky.
If you have ever used those bulky speakers in your living room then you probably understand what we mean.
Those bulky speakers could take a lot of space in your room.
Ceiling speakers, on the other hand, get installed inside the ceiling taking no extra space at all.
And this goes much better for the bathrooms and kitchens since they have even lesser space as compared to the rooms.
Getting rid of the wires
Wires are ugly, no one likes them, let’s settle on that first.
They can also be dangerous sometimes. And we are not talking about getting a shock from them, we are talking about tripping over and falling.
Regular speakers have a lot of wires with them that are important for them to be connected to the home theater or any audio device.
Ceiling speakers, on the other hand, have wires too but those wires well-hidden behind the wall.
Not a single wire is visible in case of ceiling speakers.
Maintaining the aesthetics
Apart from taking up space, most of the regular speakers also don’t look good.
Its very rare to see the speakers getting in too well with the aesthetics of the room.
Since the ceiling speakers come with a paintable grill, you can paint them completely to match any decor.
Upon installation and painting, the ceiling speakers become almost invisible.
The whole room filled with the music
This is the best part of the ceiling speakers.
The ceiling speakers, when installed in the right location, can provide an excellent surround sound experience.
The ceiling speakers, first of all, are down-firing speakers that make them sound like the audio coming from the sky.
On top of that, they come with pivoting tweeters that could be used to customize the surround sound as per the taster and preference.
What Size do I need?
The ceiling speakers start from being 4 inches or smaller to up to 8 inches. The most popular size is 6.5 inches, which is suitable for most of the places.
The size of the ceiling speaker depends on your room size, for example: If your room is small, a small size speaker would work fine. However, if your room is a little spacious, you will need a larger speaker. Usually, 6.5 inches of ceiling speakers fit best to everyone’s needs.
Best for smaller rooms where the decor is the main concern. They get along in the best way with the ceiling and get really invisible once installed. However, they are not the best sounding ceiling speakers you will ever see. Middle and lower frequencies would be quite weak resulting in overall average sound experience.
6.5 inches speakers are probably the best size of ceiling speakers you can ever own. They provide great surround sound, precise bass and are driven by good drivers. They are considered to be the best value for money speakers while being not too large or small.
8-inch ceiling speakers are one of the largest sizes you will see in the market. They are good for large halls and provide a better sound and bass experience. Though being a little expensive, they could be a value for money choice.
What shape should I go for?
There is no technical difference between the round ceiling speakers and square/rectangle shaped ceiling speakers. Both can provide great stereo surround sound and are easy to install.
You just need to take into account the style of the room and then decide what shape would go well with the ceiling and will become as invisible as possible.
Most of the speakers on this list are round-shaped speakers.
Rest assured both the types of speakers produce excellent audio and give you a satisfactory experience.
Installation Process
Once you get a ceiling speaker, you need to think about the installation.
Do you want to install it yourself or you would like to call an expert to do the installation for you?
Installation, in general, is quite easy and guides for that are available all across youtube. Also, the instruction manual that comes along with the ceiling speakers is very helpful.
In general, installation requires drilling a hole in the ceiling with the help of the template that comes along. Place the speaker in the Ceiling hole and fix it with the speaker attachments that come along in the package.
The connection between the cables from the speaker to the sound equipment is a little tricky. However, if you already have the wiring going beneath the ceiling for speakers, then you are all set.
On the other hand, calling an expert to do the job would be quite expensive. You would be paying atleast a couple of dollars for them for the installation.
Where’s the best place to Install them?
The best practice would be to install the ceiling speakers at an equal distance apart from each wall. We understand that some of the rooms might be awkwardly shaped.
In that case, we recommend going for a ceiling speaker with the angleable tweeter to direct the sound to the most important areas.
For small kitchens, saunas, and bathrooms, one speaker would be more than enough to create that excellent surround sound experience.
The Sound Quality:
This might not be at the top of this list, but this should be sure at the top of any consumer’s list.
In terms of sound, there are two things you should be mainly concerned about: Frequency response and watts.
The frequency response is the range of sound that the speaker can produce. A ceiling must have 50hz to 20,000Hz of frequency response to provide a good listening experience.
Talking about the watts, it refers to the highest amount of power that a speaker can handle. Higher power handling capacity, better the sound experience.
Ceiling speakers work best with the Home theater systems. They make an excellent addition to the surround sound setup.
Can I install it in the bathroom?
Most of the modern speakers on the market are moisture resistant. which means you can install them in the bathroom, kitchen, and saunas without any issues.
Usually, the manufacturer of the speaker mentions in the specifications that if the speaker is moisture resistant or not. In case you can not find that written in the description, just confirm it with the seller.
Please don’t assume every speaker to be moisture resistant.
Can I control my ceiling speakers with Alexa or Google Assistant
Only a very few ceiling speakers in the market come with the Alexa control, and most of them are not just good enough overall.
We haven’t come across any popular brand that creates Alexa controlled ceiling speakers.
How many speakers should I get?
There is no rule of thumb for how many speakers you should install.
For normal-sized rooms, kitchens and bathrooms usually, one pair of speakers is more than enough. For a little larger rooms you can go for two pairs or more if needed.
For larger rooms, we would recommend you to go for 8 inches speaker instead of 6.5 inches speakers.
If you are buying them as an addition to your existing sound system then you are not going to need a lot of them.
For small rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and saunas only a single ceiling speaker installed at the center of the room.
What speaker wire should I use
Wire thickness in America is identified by its America gauge number.
Lower the American gauge number, thicker the wire.
For the long wire connections, it is recommended to use thick wires. For connections shorter in length can go with less thick wires.
The length of the wire needed would depend on the placement of your receiver to the speaker’s location.
Do I need a sound amplifier
Not many people are aware of the fact that you can actually connect an amplifier to your ceiling speakers.
Those who know, think that the process would be too complicated.
Well, the process isn’t complicated at all and if you decided during the speaker installation that you are going to use the amplifier in the future then it gets even better.
To use the ceiling speaker with an amplifier you need to do runs of wire. Follow this guide to install the amplifier for the ceiling speakers.
What are woofer cones and tweeter used for
The woofer is generally the largest speakers in the line of speakers.
The lowest sound that you hear from the speakers is produced by the woofers.
All the bass and drums that you feel is created by these woofers.
How to remove the ceiling speakers covers
This might sound like a stupid question but a lot of people face some difficulty while doing this.
Removing the grille is actually just like removing the lid from the box.
Take a clip or a flat end screwdriver and insert it in a hole near one of the corners.
Ease out the corner with the strength of the paperclip or whatever tool you are using. Pull the corner a little more until the other corner detaches and follow the same process to detach the other corners.
PS: Do not put a lot of pressure while detaching the corner or else the grill might get bend.
How often will I have to replace the speakers
There is no fixed time after which the ceiling speakers start to die.
You can just replace them once you start feeling that the performance on them has downgraded.
The ceiling speakers, in general, last for a couple of years easily.
The audio industry is continuously developing so you might need to replace them with modern technology.
Some other common FAQ’s related to Ceiling Speakers:
How many ceiling speakers do I need per room?
For smaller rooms a single pair of speakers would do the job. But, if you got a large room, you should install two pairs of speakers to get a balanced surround sound in every corner. For kitchens and bathrooms, just a single speaker (not pair) would be a good fit.
How far apart should ceiling speakers be?
The surround speakers should be placed about the same distance as the front and right speakers. In numbers, the ideal spacing should be around 18-24 inches from the adjacent ceiling or wall.
Are ceiling speakers Wireless?
Ceiling speakers by default are not wireless, but, they can surely be converted into that by using the wireless kit that is sold separately by the same company or third party. This would make using the speakers super easy.
What type is better, In-ceiling or In-wall speakers?
Technically In-wall speakers have an edge over the ceiling speakers since they are pushing in the sound directly in your ears, while the ceiling speakers push the sound over the head, hence the in-wall speakers sound better.
How much does ceiling speaker cost?
A single unit usually starts from around $30 and can go a lot higher depending upon the brand and quality. You can get an excellent pair of ceiling speakers for $100-$150.
How much does it cost to install Ceiling Speakers?
A professional person could take up to several hundred dollars for the installation, which we do not recommend unless you are super busy. Anyone can install the ceiling speakers easily with the help of the templates that come along.
Can I paint my ceiling speakers to match the decor?
Grills of most of the ceiling speakers, if not all, could be easily painted to match the decor, that's super easy and safe.
Can I connect them to TV
Ofcourse you can connect them to your TV, that is what they are meant for. We highly recommend connecting them to your tv system so that you can have the best TV viewing experience. Connecting them to your TV is quite an easy process. Simply use a 3.5mm to RCA input or 3.5mm to 3.5mm plug from your speaker to your TV.
Do ceilings speakers need an amp
No audio device be it headphones, speakers or even ceiling speakers need an amp. Although using an AMP would surely enhance the overall listening experience. So if you want to enhance the overall listening experience on your ceiling speakers then install an AMP.
How do you clean the white covers
First of all we recommend everyone to paint the white grill to match the color of their decor. In case your decor is already white or you just do not want to paint it, you can simply wipe it with a wet cloth.
Conclusion:
If you like to listen to the music in any corner of your room then the ceiling speaker could be a really great accessory.
As said earlier, they take up no extra space, get completely dispersed in the ceiling and provide an excellent surround sound experience.
If you did not get time to read our whole buyers guide above, then here is a short summary AKA the conclusion for you:
The best 8-inch speaker on our list is Polk Audio RC 80i.
The best 6.5-inch speaker on our list is Yamaha NS-IW280CWH.
The best ceiling speaker for large halls is Pure Resonance VCA8.
