In wall surround speakers

Types of in wall surround speakers

The in-wall surround speakers are speakers that contractors place inside the walls instead of mounting them on the walls. Remodels and new constructions usually get this type of speaker because installing them afterward becomes pretty challenging. The in-wall speakers will, however, fit well in the corners of the house with a wall between them and the room's ceiling. They will also have a grille that can be painted or cover the speaker diaphragm. It blends seamlessly into the wall, making it a more preferred option than the in-ceiling surround speakers.

Surround speakers for the wall come in various types to be used for different purposes. They include the following sets:

• Wireless in-wall speakers: These speakers do not need a wire connection to the audio receiver because they are wireless. However, they require a power source cable to power the speaker. The wires connecting the audio receiver and the speakers limit sound installation flexibility; hence, wireless speakers are more preferred. Less precise sound quality is offered, though, compared to wired speakers.
• Multi-channel in-wall speakers: Thesesurround speakers for the wall have two speakers at a minimum, designed to play different audio channel parts. They are part of a multi-channel system. The home theater system will have speakers distributed all around to create a surround sound experience. Such speakers can get classified into different models: linears, column, and subwoofer models.
• Single-channel in-wall speakers: These speakers usually have one diaphragm through which a single audio channel comes out. They are designed to be installed in rooms where getting multi-channel audio is difficult. The audio then gets mixed into two channels for the left and right speakers by the receiver or amplifier.
• Monopole/multiple woof in-wall speakers: Surround speakers for the wall with the monopole multiple woof design can integrate multiple woofers into the design for a tighter low-frequency effect. These low frequencies add more excitement to the home theater experience instead of having just one woofer.
• Dipole in-wall speakers: These speakers have two woofers that produce opposing sounds to create a dipole. As the sound waves do not originate from a single point, the sound does not come from a specific direction; instead, it fills the room. The sound from dipole speakers is less precise but more enveloping and diffused; thus, they are mainly used for surround sound.

Functions and Features

Surround speakers that go in the wall have multiple functions and features that offer a good, surround sound experience. Here is a discussion of some of them below:

• Discrete Audio Solution

  In-wall speakers are designed to be installed inside the wall. Because of this, they offer a neat, discrete audio solution. Their installation replaces the big, boxy speakers that are usually put around a room. This helps get rid of clutter and makes space look neat and organized.

• Space Saving

  The speakers that are installed in walls take up no floor space at all. This makes them very useful for small rooms or for people who don't want their audio equipment to be seen. The fact that in-wall surround sound speakers take up no floor space makes it possible to set up comfortable seating arrangements and other furniture without being limited by where speakers can stand on the floor.

• Ambient Room Lighting

  Surround speakers that are in the wall have the advantage of being able to blend in with other parts of the room. This makes it easy to put them in whatever area it is that they are installed. When interior designers consider lighting for a room, they usually think about placing liquids in the ceiling. In-wall speakers can take the place of wall mounts or background music and provide ambient lighting in a room.

• Enhanced Sound Quality

  The sound quality of surround speakers that are in walls is made better because of the acoustical features of the room. This is so whether it is a home theater or space where music is listened to. In addition to this, the quality of sound coming from in-wall speakers can be improved by adding a subwoofer or using speakers with tweeters that can be moved around in different directions.

• Virtual Surround Sound Systems

  There are many options for virtual surround sound systems that business buyers can choose from. Some models use special technology to create sound effects that need many different speakers. These effects have different sounds seeming to come from various directions, even though there are only two speakers positioned in front of the listener.

• Integration with Smart Home Systems

  In-wall surround-sound speakers are easy to integrate with smart home systems. They have many features that allow users to get a good sound experience. Some features include being compatible with voice assistants. Having this compatibility allows users to control music and other things with voice commands.

• Weather Resistant

  Some wall surround sound speakers are made to be weather resistant. They can have a special build and materials that can stand up to wet, humid conditions. This allows them to be used outdoors without the worry of damaging them.

• Powerful, Built-in Amplifiers

  Wall-mounted speakers can have strong amplifiers already built inside them. These amplifiers can produce sound that is loud enough to fill big rooms. Having the amplifiers built-in also means that extra external receivers are not needed, which makes the audio setup much simpler.

Uses of In-Wall Speakers

In-wall speakers are speakers designed to be mounted inside the walls, they have many uses, which include;

• Home Entertainment Centers: In-wall speakers provide a clean aesthetic while delivering immersive sound for home theaters and media rooms. They offer a surround sound system for watching movies/TVs and for gaming.
• Architectural Firms : Architectural firms now use in-wall speakers to provide a neat and clutter-free space while incorporating high-quality audio systems into their designs.
• Audiophile Installers: Audiophile installers use high-end in-wall speakers for whole-home audio systems where auditory experience/consciousness is the ultimate goal.
• Outdoor Patio Areas: In-wall speakers can be integrated into outdoor living spaces for landscape/ backyard parties. They offer discreet and durable solutions for outdoor audio enjoyment.
• Commercial Facilities: businesses use in-wall speakers for retail spaces, restaurants, and conference rooms to create pleasant sound entertainment and for announcements. They offer a professional audio solution that blends into the environment.
• Security Systems: Some in-wall speakers come with intercom features for gated facilities.
• Home Speakers for Workspaces: Installing in-wall speakers in home offices provides background music for increased productivity, etc.

How to Choose In-Wall Surround Speakers

When choosing in-wall speakers for a home theater, the first step is to determine the budget. Like other speaker types, in-wall speakers have different price ranges. Setting a budget will help narrow down the options.

The next step is to decide on the brand. Some brands are well known for making quality in-wall speakers. Researching and choosing a reputable brand can make a big difference. The next decision is whether to go for painted grille speakers or flush-mounted speakers. Flush-mounted speakers look better but are more difficult to install and penetrate the wall cavity if there is no drywall between the studs. They are only suitable for new constructions. Also, the installation process will require professional help, adding to the total cost. Painted grille speakers are easier to install and can blend well with existing walls. Their installation does not require professional assistance. Painted grille speakers are a better option for remodels.

Next, consider the speaker size. In-wall speakers come in various sizes. When choosing the size of the speaker, the size of the room and the amount of bass the speaker can produce are two crucial factors to consider. Larger speakers tend to produce more bass, while smaller speakers will deliver less. Be sure to choose the right-sized speaker for the room.

Next, choose between 2-way, 3-way, or single full-range speaker options. 2-way speakers have a woofer and tweeter. 3-way speakers have an additional mid-range driver between the woofer and tweeter. Full-range speaker options have only one driver that varies in frequency. Opt for speakers with multiple ways to get a better and more balanced sound.

Finally, look for speakers with good power-handling specifications. Look at the speakers' watts and sensitivity ratings. These two things will tell how loud the speaker will play and how well it will respond to an amplifier. Finding a speaker with a perfectly balanced wattage and sensitivity is critical to getting the most out of it.

In wall surround speakers FAQ

Q1: Will in-wall speakers sound as good as regular speakers?

A1: Although in-wall speakers won't sound as good as traditional speakers, the speakers are not awful. They are better for surround sound than regular speakers.

Q2: How are in-wall speakers installed?

A2: Builders install in-wall speakers inside walls and ceilings. The installation process depends on the kind of speaker and the layout of the room. It requires basic tools and skills.

Q3: Do in-wall speakers need a receiver?

A3: Yes, in-wall speakers need a receiver to function. Receivers power the speakers and send them audio signals from different content sources like cable TV and streaming apps.

Q4: Surround sound speakers provide a better sound than stereo sound. What is the ideal placement for in-wall surround sound speakers?

A4: THX and Dolby provide guidelines for placing in-wall speakers. The left and right surround speakers should be 2 feet to 4 feet above the listener's ear when sitting down. The speakers should be 90–110 degrees from the listening position.

Q5: Are in-wall speakers upgradeable?

A5: Yes, in-wall speakers are upgradeable. But it is only possible if the speakers have compatible wiring and mounting. Upgrading the speakers to a sound distribution system is also difficult because of the limited access to walls during installation.