In-Ceiling dilemma - set as l/r, or surround + rear

[chihawks]

Hi there,

New guy posting here although long reader of Anand.

I'm moving into a new place that is pre-wired for sound in every room. I'm somewhat of a nerd when it comes to audio and I'd love a true home theater setup, but with only one main living space, I won't be able to have a huge setup. In-ceiling/wall aren't exactly the best quality money can buy... I may install ceilings in the other rooms, but for now, just trying to figure out the living room/makeshift home theater...:

There aren't any speakers actually installed, just wall plates, so my dilemma is whether to actually install ceiling speakers above where the couch/TV will go, or to just let the pre-wiring go unused. The back wall is wired for rear speakers, and I don't think we'd change the setup of the room, so those technically could work as they're more than 4-5' away from the back of the couch.

Do I use a center speaker + two front facing L&R like a B&W CM1 (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speakers/Home_Audio/CM_Series/CM1.html - out of my budget but something similar) - and then use the ceiling speakers as a Left&Right surround hookup? Then I'd use the rear speakers as well - which would give me a 7.1 setup.

At the same time, I'm not sure if ceiling speakers would just sound weird in terms of a 7.1 setup, since I'd have direct sound coming from the front and back, but the sides wouldn't really be sides, they'd be ceiling.

My other option is to forget the in-ceiling/in-wall rear, and just get a really solid center speaker and bookshelves like the mentioned CM1's. Then only use the ceiling speakers for music listening, not movie/TV. For some reason, I feel like since the place is pre-wired, I shouldn't waste the opportunity.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, I don't want to mess this one up and then obsess over my shoddy setup. Thanks!

 

[Harvey]

In ceiling speakers are usually intended to distribute sound without regard for accurage frequency or phase response, but don't count on any good stereo
imaging from them.

Mounting your main left - right speakers in a wall could work if you mount an entire boxed enclosure in the wall or if you design the interior dimensions, the interior surface treatment and the acoustic isolation of the space and front baffle (speaker mounting) board using acoustic principles of speaker enclosure design.

If that's impractical, you'll probably be better off finding a good set of commercial speakers you can afford and that will fit/work within your listening room, and you'll be able to sell them or take them with you if/when you decide to move.

Hope that helps.

 

[chihawks]

Thanks Harvey, appreciate the response. I think what I gather is that the ceiling speakers may be nice for a multi-zone receiver if we want to fill the entire house with music (let's say for a party), but for stereo theater, they'll just muddle things up.

If you happen to see this (or anyone else) - do the rear speakers still make sense? If I only did two front facing bookshelves for example, not in the wall, a center speaker, and a sub, would the rear speakers add a nice touch of surround for 5.1, or are they not worth it?

Thanks again!