Emotiva in-wall speakers? Good and affordable options?

[torrey]

I'm remodeling my basement and decided to go with in-wall, in-ceiling speakers.  I have a few months (demolition, drywall, etc.) so I'm not in a rush, and trying to decide on speakers is tough. 

The stuff I'm looking at online (Focal, Definitive, Martin Logan...) is terribly expensive to do an  11-channel Atmos setup, at 5 to 8 hundred dollars per speaker or more. 
But the cheaper options I have listened to so far (Best Buy) sound  ... cheap.  I need to go listen to some more options, of course.

However, I'm hoping Emotiva might be about to announce a line of in-wall & in-ceiling speakers.  Any rumors?   

Otherwise, any suggestions for high-quality in-wall speakers that are priced in the $250 per speaker range, like Emotiva's existing surround speaker options?

[AudioHTIT]

Jun 20, 2019 9:51:07 GMT -5 torrey said:

I'm remodeling my basement and decided to go with in-wall, in-ceiling speakers.  I have a few months (demolition, drywall, etc.) so I'm not in a rush, and trying to decide on speakers is tough. 

The stuff I'm looking at online (Focal, Definitive, Martin Logan...) is terribly expensive to do an  11-channel Atmos setup, at 5 to 8 hundred dollars per speaker or more. 
But the cheaper options I have listened to so far (Best Buy) sound  ... cheap.  I need to go listen to some more options, of course.

However, I'm hoping Emotiva might be about to announce a line of in-wall & in-ceiling speakers.  Any rumors?   

Otherwise, any suggestions for high-quality in-wall speakers that are priced in the $250 per speaker range, like Emotiva's existing surround speaker options?

I’ve just started to look at some B&W ceiling speakers to eventually use for Atmos (and to voice match my other B&W’s). While there are more expensive models, several seem reasonably priced at $400 to $600 per pair.

B&W ceiling compare at BestBuy

[creimes]

At the current closeout price of the Airmotiv towers I would lean that way, I know obviously not the same as hidden in-walls but price to performance level I'm not sure what would come remotely close at the price of in-walls, as the ones I have seen tend to be pricey and don't have the same level of performance for obvious reasons.

Chad

[Bonzo]

I was able to pick up my (6) Def Tech DI 8R for under $200. I justed checked on Amazon. They are $195 each.

I can tell you they are very well made.

I can't tell you how they sound because while they were finally installed in February, I STILL don't have it all up and running yet. 😭

[SteveH]

Jun 20, 2019 10:42:22 GMT -5 Bonzo said:

I was able to pick up my (6) Def Tech DI 8R for under $200. I justed checked on Amazon. They are $195 each.

I can tell you they are very well made.

I can't tell you how they sound because while they were finally installed in February, I STILL don't have it all up and running yet. 😭

I installed four Definitive Technologies DI 8R in-ceiling speakers for my Dolby Atmos.  I also used XTC foam baffles to keep moisture/debris out of the speaker mechanics and to tighten up the bass.  The baffles will also help attenuate the sound from radiating into other rooms of the house.  I researched in-wall/ceiling speakers for quite a while and chose the DI 8R because of the specs and price, Frequency response: 26Hz - 30kHz, Impedance: 4 - 8 Ohms, Sensitivity: 90 dB, recommended amplifier power: 10 - 225 WPC, pivoting tweeter, adjustable high-definition crossover.  I picked them up for $195 each from an Authorized Definitive Technologies online retailer, they are still backed by the manufacturers five year warranty, not the resellers warranty.  I have an XPA GEN3 THIRTEEN 1.6s powering the center channel and all of the surrrounds.  The bass response of these speakers is very impressive.  Most in-wall/ceiling speakers I researched did not have a low end like these do and for $195 each, you can't beat it.  They are well constructed, very solid and have some weight to them.  The grills are paper thin and are held on by magnets in the speaker basket.  These speakers list for $329/each on the actual Definitive Technologies website.

I purchased the DI 8Rs from Abt:    www.abt.com/product/47459/Definitive-Technology-White-8-Ceiling-Speaker-Each-DI8R.html

[Bonzo]

Jun 20, 2019 15:35:53 GMT -5 SteveH said:

I installed four Definitive Technologies DI 8R in-ceiling speakers for my Dolby Atmos.  I also used XTC foam baffles to keep moisture/debris out of the speaker mechanics and to tighten up the bass.  The baffles will also help attenuate the sound from radiating into other rooms of the house.  I researched in-wall/ceiling speakers for quite a while and chose the DI 8R because of the specs and price, Frequency response: 26Hz - 30kHz, Impedance: 4 - 8 Ohms, Sensitivity: 90 dB, recommended amplifier power: 10 - 225 WPC.  I picked them up for $195 each from an Authorized Definitive Technologies online retailer, they still are backed by the manufacturers five year warranty, not the resellers warranty.  I have an XPA GEN3 THIRTEEN 1.6s powering the center channel and all of the surrrounds.  The bass response of these speakers is very impressive.  Most in-wall/ceiling speakers I researched did not have a low end like these do and for $195 each, you can't beat it.  They afre well constructed, very solid and have some weight to them.  The grills are paper thin and are held on by magnets in the speaker basket.  Theses speakers do list for $329 on the actual Definitive Technologies website.

I purchased the DI 8Rs from Abt:    www.abt.com/product/47459/Definitive-Technology-White-8-Ceiling-Speaker-Each-DI8R.html

I searched for a while and debated about what to use behind the speakers. I ended up going with the other product sold at Parts Express because I was a afraid the ones you got might add a "boxy-ness" to the sound. I didn't seal them down in anyway so if I decide I want to switch I can.

Here's what I used.
www.parts-express.com/pro-wire-isf-147-insu-flate-ceiling-speaker-protector--300-265

I must say, I heard quite a bit of echo in your room during that video. You ever consider putting more room treatments in there?

But anyway, yeah, we have the same ceiling speakers, and they are well made and heavy.

[SteveH]

Jun 20, 2019 16:03:23 GMT -5 Bonzo said:

Here's what I used.
www.parts-express.com/pro-wire-isf-147-insu-flate-ceiling-speaker-protector--300-265

I must say, I heard quite a bit of echo in your room during that video. You ever consider putting more room treatments in there?

When I went shopping at Parts Express I did not see those speaker protectors, those are nice.  Let us know how they work out.  Yes, I do have echo, but my home is an open floor plan with 17' ceilings and the only full walls are for the bedrooms and the bathrooms.  My great room has the A/V system and 12' of glass patio sliders, so I do have to trade off between A/V performance and home decor.

[AudioHTIT]

Jun 20, 2019 15:35:53 GMT -5 SteveH said:

I installed four Definitive Technologies DI 8R in-ceiling speakers for my Dolby Atmos.  I also used XTC foam baffles to keep moisture/debris out of the speaker mechanics and to tighten up the bass.  The baffles will also help attenuate the sound from radiating into other rooms of the house.  I researched in-wall/ceiling speakers for quite a while and chose the DI 8R because of the specs and price, Frequency response: 26Hz - 30kHz, Impedance: 4 - 8 Ohms, Sensitivity: 90 dB, recommended amplifier power: 10 - 225 WPC, pivoting tweeter, adjustable high-definition crossover.  I picked them up for $195 each from an Authorized Definitive Technologies online retailer, they are still backed by the manufacturers five year warranty, not the resellers warranty.  I have an XPA GEN3 THIRTEEN 1.6s powering the center channel and all of the surrrounds.  The bass response of these speakers is very impressive.  Most in-wall/ceiling speakers I researched did not have a low end like these do and for $195 each, you can't beat it.  They are well constructed, very solid and have some weight to them.  The grills are paper thin and are held on by magnets in the speaker basket.  These speakers list for $329/each on the actual Definitive Technologies website.

Enjoyed the video Steve, nice job! Good to see the whole project, also good review on the hole saw, and recommendation to go manual. I’m considering enlarging / replacing some can lights we don’t use much, and which should be well placed for Atmos speakers. Thanks for posting this! 👍

[Bonzo]

Jun 20, 2019 17:29:01 GMT -5 SteveH said:

Jun 20, 2019 16:03:23 GMT -5 Bonzo said:

Here's what I used.
www.parts-express.com/pro-wire-isf-147-insu-flate-ceiling-speaker-protector--300-265

I must say, I heard quite a bit of echo in your room during that video. You ever consider putting more room treatments in there?

When I went shopping at Parts Express I did not see those speaker protectors, those are nice.  Let us know how they work out.  Yes, I do have echo, but my home is an open floor plan with 17' ceilings and the only full walls are for the bedrooms and the bathrooms.  My great room has the A/V system and 12' of glass patio sliders, so I do have to trade off between A/V performance and home decor.

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I think the ones you went with are most certainly nicer for sure. I debated. Like I said I was just worried about the "boxy" sound with enclosures or the foam. I think enclosures would be bad, but the foam is simple and elegant, and kind of an in-between sound wise. Time will tell but I may switch.

Understand totally. My room is a compromise too. IMO what's killing you is that floor. Vaulted ceilings are one thing, but a tile floor is like having glass. Only so much you can do.

I posted this before, but your speakers are the same that first made me schiit myself. They were the first ones that made me say holy crap! Amazing, literally. I was 20. I am envious of those for sure.

Nice room by the way.

[torrey]

Steve, thanks for the tip on Definitive Technologies. Those specs and price are great, I'll definitely give them a listen.

[h4x]

How noticeable might the timbre mismatch of Definitive Technologies DI 8R in the ceiling be with Emotiva Airmotiv towers/centers?