Niles and and several other manufacturers have barriers to keep the big chunks out of the surrounds. Why? We're kind of too lazy and not paid enough to make or install backboxes. Besides, many in ceiling speakers sport infinite baffles.

We actually cover the speaker with insulation in a somewhat weak attempt to keep the heat from the attic from drying out the surround. This seems to work too.

Nice tip: cut the hole, don't throw the cut piece away but offset it in the hole to keep the blown in stuff in the attic till you stick the speaker in.

This message was edited by Steve Garn on 02/17/05 23:50 ET.