Ask Engadget HD: Which in-wall speakers for under $1,000?
by Richard Lawler 
posted May 21st 2009 at 12:00PM
"I recently moved into a new home and space is limited in my new home theater room so i was wondering if you guys could tell me what you think are the best in-wall speakers for under 1000 bucks for the front three. (all ready have rears) little background i have a Onkyo TX-805, PS3, DirecTV HD-DVR, and a 58" Samsung plasma."
We've covered a variety of in-wall audio components that might fit his price range, but we want to know which ones you would choose, let us know in the comments.
Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kevon27 @ May 21st 2009 12:08PM
THE SPEAKER COMPANY; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; THE SPEAKER COMPANY;
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/In-Wall-Speakers-C11.aspx
End of discussion.
kevon27 @ May 21st 2009 12:18PM
you can get a 5.1 system for $500 with free shipping and a 30 day trial with free return shipping.
You ain't gonna beat that.
dan @ May 21st 2009 6:48PM
kevon,
have you (or anyone) actually heard these speakers? they seem almost too cheap to be any good
kevon27 @ May 21st 2009 8:02PM
Audioholics review....
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/architectural/tSc-ntiw26-ntiw25
Bob K @ May 22nd 2009 10:40AM
Look at their higher end stuff and compare it to MB Quart speakers which sound incredible. They look identical!
Kevin @ May 25th 2009 5:04PM
@ dan
Do you know how much speakers actually cost? Speakers are marked up at least 60 percent than actually cost of BB, or tweeter paid for them. I bought my Def Tech speakers "on the cheap" 600 turned out to be 436.54
muller @ May 21st 2009 12:12PM
Speakercraft makes awesome inwalls and ceilings.
zargon @ May 21st 2009 12:48PM
For speakers, I usually recommend: Paradigm, PSB, Energy, NHT, Monitor Audio and Mirage to name a few, unfortunately, I don't think any make in wall speakers on than Paradigm. More companies are making on wall speakers, if you don't absolutely need in wall, you could check those out as well. But for in wall, I would defiantly give Paradigm a listen.
Mike @ May 21st 2009 1:50PM
Monitor Audio W280's. Their 8" C-CAM driver is surprisingly accurate, and you can turn them up. $300 per speaker retail. Do it!
Canadian Bacon @ May 21st 2009 3:36PM
PSB:
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/In-Wall-In-Ceiling-Speakers
Energy:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/in-wall-in-ceiling-speaker/
NHT:
http://nhthifi.com/current/s-architect.html
Mirage, as far as I can tell, don't make in-wall speakers, only in-ceiling.
zargon @ May 21st 2009 4:47PM
Wow, I didn't realize that they all made in-wall speakers. I have never been in the market for them, which could explain it. I also am a Paradigm speaker man, so I know more about them then most other speaker manufactures.
Michael Atlas @ May 21st 2009 12:33PM
DEF TECH!!
adidino @ May 21st 2009 12:35PM
You should check the Triad silver or bronze series. Can't do better for in wall.
Justin @ May 21st 2009 1:26PM
Triad does make great in-wall speakers. RBH and BG Audio do as well, but I believe the poster wanted a set for UNDER $1k. Speakercraft (for stereo as full surround won't be doable for $1k) and The Speaker Company (tSC) are great options.
If on-walls are also an option, consider Axiom.
I do believe the consensus for 5.0/7.0 under $1k should be The Speaker Company. (Of course, if you have to do it for under $200, Monoprice and Diesel Audio are probably your only options.)
WarM_FusioN @ May 21st 2009 12:48PM
I got a 5.1 for about $800 shipped.
3 Polk TC65i
2 Polk TC60i.
Paired them with an HK AVR-354... sounds great!
DaMan @ May 21st 2009 12:58PM
Aperion Audio is a really good choice if you ask me. www.aperionaudio.com
Marshall @ May 21st 2009 1:02PM
I'll second that one. I haven't heard too many inwalls, but I have heard the Aperions and, compared to their traditional speakers, they hold up well.
Marshall
The Real HT Info Podcast
Sircod @ May 21st 2009 2:00PM
I will also support Aperion.
Their normal speakers are known for having great sound at great deals. Their in-wall stuff is pretty new, but they know what they're doing. Their speaker engineer (Ken Humphreys) is the co-founder of Speakercraft, who is known for their in-walls.
They only have one in-wall and one in-ceiling now, but at $149 each that should be a pretty good deal.
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/In-Wall-and-In-Ceiling,31.aspx
Jon @ May 21st 2009 2:38PM
Anyone buy a full HT setup (not in wall) from them .. Anything better for the price ? i was also looking at http://www.axiomaudio.com/
I know this is about in wall but might as well get advice while people are at it : )
russ @ May 21st 2009 3:05PM
I've been really happy with these guys.
http://www.htd.com/in-wall-ceiling-speakers
Their HQ is near my office in Plano TX. They are super nice people and extremely knowledgeable.
VinylVision @ May 21st 2009 3:58PM
I highly recommend Axiom Audio in-wall for front left/right and Axiom on-wall for center. The center ON-wall allows you to position the angle of the speaker to point down or up towards the listeners. Also order ON-wall mounting bracket for the center speaker. Position the front sides so that they are centered vertically for listener ears. Axiom also makes great subs. (I use a sub with my setup.) You can select from multiple colors and finishes. Outstanding value, sound, customer service and shipping.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/wallspeakerw22_main.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/vp150.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/fullmetalbracket.html
Bruf @ May 21st 2009 3:55PM
Axiom rocks, happy owner since 2007. Haven't heard their in-wall or on-wall speakers but since it's based on the same stuff used in their original line of speakers, it's probably as good as their bookshelf speakers.
You can't beat their customer service and warranty. I got a replacement driver for a subwoofer within a day, free of charge, without even having to send the defective one to them. You can't beat that and it's not an extended warranty.
Korey @ May 21st 2009 3:57PM
NHT as linked above.
Ron @ May 21st 2009 4:13PM
HomeTheaterDirect gets a vote from me as well, been using them for several years now..
Actual Pro Audio Contractor @ May 21st 2009 4:27PM
If you can afford it, Tannoy Tannoy Tannoy. I'm a sound contractor by trade, and I've seen and heard nearly every speaker imaginable. In wall speakers are a small group, and by far, the absolute best for your buck, are Tannoy's.
Chris @ May 25th 2009 11:38AM
it 'might' be worth looking at if you are trying to keep your prices down.
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/speakers/inwallcustom.html?CTID=5003100&CNTYP=PRODUCT
Mason @ May 21st 2009 4:58PM
Monoprice.com. In-walls are the least expensive you will find, but sound better than most in-walls that are 10 times the price.
http://www.monoprice.com
Same goes for their LCD/Plasma mounts.
zargon @ May 21st 2009 8:12PM
While I would agree with you on the accessories parts, I wouldn't even think of comparing their speakers to something 10 times as much. Speakers are the most important part to your home theater and the component that will give you the most gain as you continue to spend more.
Now there are exceptions, companies like Paradigm, PSB, Energy, Axiom, SVS and Emotiva can keep their speaker prices down for various reasons like Paradigm does just about EVERYTHING in house and Axiom, SVS and Emotiva cut the middle man out and sell only online. These speakers can give you a slightly better value for your money due to these factors, but even they will not give you a speaker for half the cost as something twice as good.
The best thing you can do is listen to as many speakers as you can. It is a lot harder with in-wall speakers and also with the online companies (they usually give you a good return period though), but it still can't hurt just to see what you like and don't like.
Cajun_Mike @ May 21st 2009 5:11PM
Triad all the way. Triad, Snell, James loudspeaker and Atlantic technology (in that order).
What do they all have in common? They are sealed enclosures. Any in-wall or in-ceiling speaker that is not sealed is a waste of money. You will have sound bleeding into other rooms in the home and the fidelity is severely compromised.
I am partial to Triad and they are the number one brand for custom hometheater specialists across the U.S. Oh, and they are constructed and made in the U.S.
ccweems @ May 21st 2009 5:34PM
Parts Express - for big buck home theaters maybe not but for everything else they can't be beat. For those that can qualify as commercial installers there is hefty discount on top of the already low prices. Speakers that are $60/pair (discounted) are shown to architectural engineers they know they are inexpensive so they estimate low but must take in account the quality of the mounting brackets, hardware, speaker cones, crossovers and the like and they guess $125 each. Now that they have listened to them they are even more amazed.
dan @ May 21st 2009 6:45PM
thanks for the advice guys!
kevon27 @ May 21st 2009 8:42PM
Audioholics review of the TSC inwall speakers
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/architectural/tSc-ntiw26-ntiw25
GC @ May 21st 2009 6:47PM
Try Proficient (http://www.proficientaudio.com/main.html). Comparable to Speakercraft but less expensive.
Wes @ May 21st 2009 7:09PM
Revisiting an earlier recommendation, SpeakerCraft.
- AIM LCR One (1" silk dome tweeter, dual 5 1/4" IM graphite mid-bass) in-wall L/C/Rs are available for $259.98 each
- AIM Cinema One (1" silk dome tweeter, dual 5 1/4" IM graphite mid-bass, dual 6" paper/kevlar woofer) in-wall "towers" are available for $349.00 each
- AIM LCR3 Five (3/4" aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter, dual 3" kevlar mid-bass) are available for $239.00 each
Obviously the LCR3 series is the smaller speaker, which will lean more heavily on your sub, but the smaller, more affordable line allows you to fit higher quality cone materials into your budget. That said, they will be harder to match with dedicated rear channel speakers, should you choose to timbre-match your rears in the future. For example, AIM Cinema Dipole (dipole/bipole in-wall model) is available only as a 5 1/4", while AIM Wide (dipole/bipole in-ceiling model) is available only as an 8".
My personal preference would be the larger AIM LCR (5 1/4") series. At that point it comes down to listening habits (emphasis on music or TV/movies?) and surround configuration (5.1 or 7.1?), as well as the size constraints placed on front L/R. If the emphasis is music and/or the system is set up for 5.1, the AIM Cinema in-wall towers would be a nice choice, given extended range down to 40 Hz (manufacturer's spec) and bi-amp capability with your TX-SR805 - specifically in a 5.1 configuration. For 7.1, emphasis on TV/movies (leaning more heavily on the sub) or just for physically smaller speakers, stick with the AIM LCRs for all three.
All that to say, if you don't hear the difference, spend less money. As a custom installer, my advice to customers is to choose their speakers by ear - who cares what your gearhead buddy thinks if you don't like the sound?
Btw, all prices on SpeakerCraft are from Best Buy (surprise!). Magnolia Home Theater stores display select SpeakerCraft models (usually AIM8 One, CRS One, and MT6 One), but have special-order access to virtually all SpekerCraft products.
-wb
Robert M @ May 21st 2009 7:44PM
Im a Home Theater installer, at that price point (5 for under 1000)
i suggest Speaker craft 2 ( they come in pairs) AIM7 MT one (bout 325 a pair) and a AIM LCR one for the center ( bout 260)
dont forget sub, a nice deff super cube III would complement them and not push to much over the 1000 mark and its tiny to keep with the no look look, but puts out massive
Jenn @ May 21st 2009 7:37PM
Check out Abt. They have a good selection of speakers. My brother just purchased a set of sonance speakers from them and they sound fantastic.
www.abt.com
jordanandallison @ May 21st 2009 8:13PM
I am a home theater installer as well.
If you are looking for under $1000 ea I would say the B & W Signature 7 NT for ($975 CAD ea.)
If you are looking for under $1000 for all three, I would say first, raise your budget but second; two B & W CWM6260 ($275 CAD ea) + one B & W CWM Cinema ($500 CAD ea.)
kevon27 @ May 21st 2009 8:32PM
Or, Just goto http://www.thespeakercompany.com/In-Wall-Speakers-C11.aspx
and for a $1000 you can get 7.2 set up..
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/architectural/tSc-ntiw26-ntiw25
jgib01 @ May 25th 2009 7:01PM
I would suggest throwing RBH in the mix, if you can find them where you are at. I previously owned Paradigm Titans and other stuff in the same line. When finishing my current set-up I decided begrudgingly to go with in-walls and in-ceilings for WAF. My expectations were fairly measures, but I was pleasantly surprised with my end results. I have 3 MC-616's across the front and 4 MC-615's for effects. Kept my Paradigm sub.
webmaster @ May 22nd 2009 10:56AM
I was on a budget as well, and I've had great experience with BIC speakers since the mid 90's, so I replaced 5 speakers last month with 4 BIC DV52Si satellites and a DV52CLR-B center, for under $300, shipped, thanks to amazon.
they're hard to beat for the price. they're not QUITE as good as the klipsch i used to have, but it was a question of saving space and increasing the Wife Acceptance Factor, and they cost a fraction of what the klipsch set me back, when i bought them 6 years ago.