My parents are doing some reno in their home, and have a room they are going to be using as a TV/Movie room. Its square, and not that big. Average height room, I think thats 8 feet? Anyways, my question is if they were to do in wall speakers, how high should they be for optimal sound? I
I was thinking of in wall speakers just because of the clean look they offer, but not completely set on that. How do wireless speakers fare? They are not audiophiles by any means, just want pleasing sound coming from their TV.
If you can run wiring through the walls definitely do it. Wireless speakers are just not as good. Also, get a lower gauge speaker wire if you can. Since you're running it through the walls, better to put in something decent now as it will be difficult to change later. If the walls are open anyway, think about anything else you may want to run though there - cat 6 cable, phone line, etc.
It is very difficult to put in-wall speakers into exterior walls because of the insulation. In-ceiling speakers can work better in some cases. If they plan to repaint the room, putting a few small holes in the drywall and then patching later is really not a big deal.
Wireless speakers require power--so they're really not wireless! I think all of them suffer interference at some point or another.
Monoprice products are VERY inexpensive--even when you factor in shipping--but pretty good quality.
My dad had asked about ceiling speakers, I was not sure but did not think they would offer the same sound for surround sound movies as speakers in the corners. Am I wrong in this? I never think of good sound coming from the ceiling for a movie.
I just got back from Futureshop today after listening to the Bose home theatre setup,
Man, Those things are loud (But clean without distortion), I was impressed,
But not impressed to want to pay the $650. price tag.
These were at 4 feet height,
But they'd probably sound better on stands at 5 to 6 feet.
Anyways....
I ended up leaving with the Klipsch s4i earphones for my iPhone instead.
I second the opinion that speakers should be at ear-level while seated. Re. ceiling speakers, if the intention is to watch surround-sound content, then ceiling speakers will not give you the same effect as rear speakers. Note the requirement for speakers to be at ear-level. I have not seen ceilings at ear-levels except in the movie "Being John Malkovich".
Re. wireless rear speakers, though they require power, they do not require speaker-wire to be drawn from the receiver to the speakers, so they can indeed be considered wireless. WCraig is just being pedantic about the word "wireless".
Re. WCraig's claim of interference, I am not technical enough to confirm or refute it, but remember, it may not happen in your case. I have an el-cheapo Samsung Home-Theatre-In-A-Box (I am not an audiophile either) with wireless rear speakers. I have had these for the last year or so and use them for a few hours everyday. I have not had a single case of any interference or problems or dropping out or whatever else is supposedly caused by interference.
I second the opinion that speakers should be at ear-level while seated. Re. ceiling speakers, if the intention is to watch surround-sound content, then ceiling speakers will not give you the same effect as rear speakers. Note the requirement for speakers to be at ear-level. I have not seen ceilings at ear-levels except in the movie "Being John Malkovich".
Re. wireless rear speakers, though they require power, they do not require speaker-wire to be drawn from the receiver to the speakers, so they can indeed be considered wireless. WCraig is just being pedantic about the word "wireless".
Re. WCraig's claim of interference, I am not technical enough to confirm or refute it, but remember, it may not happen in your case. I have an el-cheapo Samsung Home-Theatre-In-A-Box (I am not an audiophile either) with wireless rear speakers. I have had these for the last year or so and use them for a few hours everyday. I have not had a single case of any interference or problems or dropping out or whatever else is supposedly caused by interference.
I didn't say that ceiling mounts are preferred--just that they may be a whole lot easier in some cases. Bass sounds are omni-directional so your ear will be hard-pressed to detect ceiling v. wall mount. Lots of in-ceiling speakers come with pivoting tweeters so that you can position them more to the sides of the room and aim them at the prime listening position. So you still get the same directional clues as wall-mounted or in-wall speakers.
And not to be too cruel, but if you bought a HTIB system, there isn't much likelihood that you can discern the extra distortion from wireless rear speakers. But if you're happy with it, great!
I have large floor speakers for the rear and the sub woofer. Rather than have them sit on the floor, I drilled four holes in the bottom of each and inserted arrowheads. (available at hunting outlets.) This suspends the speakers off the floor for a cleaner bass.
Actually rear surround speakers should be about 2 feet above your head when seated or mounted in the ceiling. The front speakers (Left, Centre and Right) should be at ear level when seated. I recommend in-ceiling speakers for the rears but they are less ideal for the fronts as it doesn't give you the directional sound that you really need for the front. The better in-ceiling speakers do have tweeters that can be aimed which helps but in-wall or box speakers on stands is preferred.
As for Bose....run away! Bose is first and for most a marketing company and the crap they sell to consumers is over priced for what you get. Their noise cancelling headphones are decent but again pricey for what you get. Bose is Dell junk priced like it was an Apple.
My parents are doing some reno in their home, and have a room they are going to be using as a TV/Movie room. Its square, and not that big. Average height room, I think thats 8 feet?
The first thing I would like to know is where is the room? basement? main or second floor? Is the area beneath finished or attic above? Which wall is the insulated wall - focal?rear?side? Ceiling speakers are fine in attic spaces as long as they are covered with a preformed plastic box for insulation/vapor barrier integrity and puts them on the heated side of the insulation. Fishing through exterior insulated walls is difficult but not impossible. Wired speakers are the only way to go and don't buy less than 14 gauge, 12 is better.
Actually rear surround speakers should be about 2 feet above your head when seated or mounted in the ceiling. The front speakers (Left, Centre and Right) should be at ear level when seated. I recommend in-ceiling speakers for the rears but they are less ideal for the fronts as it doesn't give you the directional sound that you really need for the front. The better in-ceiling speakers do have tweeters that can be aimed which helps but in-wall or box speakers on stands is preferred.
I like it, but it might be a little over the top for a couple who are not audiophiles with a square room that's not that big.
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