Hi guys,

I'm about to purchase a pair of in-ceiling speakers for my bedroom (measures just under 17ft X 12ft or so), and I've been looking at the ceiling mount version of the Niles HD range. I already own the HD8.3r in-walls in the kitchen (which I'm more than happy with). The whole thing is connected the to the Niles ZR4630 multiroom receiver.

Anyway, thing is, I'm looking for advice on whether you think it's worth shelling out near $1000 for the Niles ceiling mount speakers or whether you have any suggestions about other models to buy which would do the job but be cheaper (Speakercraft and Audiophile spring to mind).

Thanks

J

Depends onwhat kind of Sound quality your looking for. Niles certainly makes in-Ceiling speakers for less than $1000..... If your happy with the Niles, Stick with em. The SpeakerCraft 8" speakers are pretty good if you want a recomendation though... 8.2's or 8.3's are a great deal for the performance.

Thanks Impaqt,

to clarify on the sound quality I want a "decent" pair that would go down to around 40 to 50hz, minimum 90Db sensitivity. I inted to play mostly background music but occasionally will turn up the volume to getting-ready-for-a-night-on-the-town volume. I will be listening to a wide range of music from classical and jazz to rock and pop.

Hope this helps anyone else who'd like to make a recommendation.

J

Definatly look at the SpeakerCraft 8.5CRS' They go down to about 30, have the efficiency you want, and are about half of your $1000 number there....

Oh, and they sound damn good too.

My company sells both the niles and the speakercraft and our most popular has actually been paradigm. You can get their sa15 which would be a similar match to the niles an 8 inch that really sound full and smooth.Just my own opnion.
jc

Second the motion on the Paradigm; a truly great sounding in-ceiling speaker.

How do the NHT's stack up to the above mentioned in ceiling speakers?

My company loves the Sonance speakers, but there is another issue here. I don't know if the ceiling speakers you are discussing are all round, but in the brands I have seen with round and rectangular speakers, you get more for your money, and maybe just plain better sound no matter what the price, with rectangular speakers.

So I mount rectangular speakers in the ceiling. There is always a discussion about the term "in-wall" and "ceiling," and I cite the better sound of rectangulars.

The only problem is, when you cut a round hole and put a round speaker in it, it is always straight. When you are six feet from a wall and have to define a rectangle that will look good from a distance, you have a REAL challenge. Strings, chalk lines, cutting holes parallel to ceiling joists (which are not always straight), learning how much oversize you can cut the hole for tweaking but still get away with it; these are the tools for making this work right. Although, truth be told, I have never needed a chalkline or string. Maybe a second person to help see that the pattern is place correctly before scribing a line....

Ernie,

I agree with you in alll the things you've said about the retangular speakers for the ceiling. I think that's why Sonance makes the oval shaped ones. Best of both worlds. I think the Sonance are about the same price as the Niles speakers though. do you stock any other in-wall-ceiling speakers that you can recommend.

J

Did you audition the Klipsch Reference Architecural series? They are nice and tight in my new sun room.

Depends on what you are using them for. If its only background music, save the money and go cheaper. If you want better fidelity. Go w/ the niles or my favorite. B&W. (I do not sell them)

Also check and see if speakercraft still offers the lifetime guarantee. That would tip the deal for me

JM2c.

Speakercraft does indeed still have the Lifetime warranty.

I can't say enough good things about my SpeakerCraft speakers. I bought some 8.5MT's that were damaged in shipping (from the retailer, not the factory). When they got here, my 2 year old daughter immediately poked a hole in the tweeter when I had my back turned! I explained exactly what happened and asked if I could purchase a new tweeter- SpeakerCraft replaced both parts under warranty!

CJ

Look at the legend line ... they mount without the " dog ear system....have rubber gaskets to dampen interface between speaker to ceiling...gimbal...tweek..kevlar or aluminum...go very low in freq....great sounding in all houses we have used them in blah blah ...enjoy..

RBH makes a relaly nice in ceiling speaker as well