In Wall Speakers

[chiroacademy 852]

Here is my reality.  My has not allowed floor standing speakers in the house.  She hates the aesthetics (I totally love the aesthetics).  So we have Klipsch in-wall speakers in our family room, kitchen, bath, sitting room and screened porch.  I have a couple old junk receivers driving them.  Some sort of cheap Pioneer unit.  Not to say Pioneer is crap but we purchased a cheap home entertainment receiver.  I didn't want to put any money into a system with in-wall speakers.  Is there an option for me.  I would be willing to build a good system if there are some in-wall speaker options that would be worth the investment.  I never listen to music at home because it sound like 5hi7. 

 

BTW the family room is large: 22'x30' with 28' ceilings and open to the kitchen which is also a large open space.   

 

My office (man cave/office) system:

Carver M-500t MK II (x2)

Sunfire Symphonic Reference Pre-AmpCarver 

Carver HX-Pro Cassette (I listen to chiropractic cassette tapes)

Carver SD/A 490t CD

BBE 482 sonic maximizer 

Pro-Ject Turntable

Cambridge Audio DAC

Cambridge Audio dock for iPAd 

Sunfire Sub

Von Sweikert VR3 

 

[Daddyjt 9,858]

There are some very nice (and expen$ive) in-wall options. That being said, I've never been a fan of in-walls for anything other than surround duty or background listening.

 

First, it's usually difficult to mount them low enough for an optimal listening experience - they most often end up 5+ feet off the floor.

 

Second, you have no ability to move them closer to, or away from the wall, or toe them in or out, etc...

 

And lastly, you often end up with some nasty resonance within the wall itself, that is very difficult to tame.

 

However, if it IS your only option....:-)

[chiroacademy 852]

Current speakers are:

Front 9' off the floor.

Rear 11' off the floor 

 

The tweeters do swivel and you can point them which helps but it's still not a good setup for quality listening.   I can't lower the speakers.

[weitrhino 1,445]

The wife still adamant even if you had something with a small footprint and an out of the way sub? Think about the Sunfire CRM series.

[chiroacademy 852]

I do have a sub (cheap POS sub). I'll look at the Sunfire CRM series.  If I can upgrade the speakers, l'll upgrade the sub and amp.  I'm not willing to piss a lot of money away if I can't upgrade the speaker situation, doesn't make cents.

[fill35U 1,848]

What if you got some small-medium speakers, but let her decorate them any way she wants? She could paint them pink, cover them with rhinestones or seashells, wallpaper the cabinets, pick new fabric for the grills, screw shelves to the sides, or even cut alcoves into them? Perhaps she would see them as her new project? Just close your eyes and enjoy the music!

[BarryG 2,859]

One option , trade in the wife for a wall of speakers! LOL

 

In reality, I think your options are limited. The CRM might work but they can be pricey.

 

BarryG