Ceiling speakers for surround Polk V60 or QI65 or something else

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33coupe

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#271965 3-Jun-2020 20:07

Just been looking at replacing my Wharfedale 9.0 bookshelfs surrounds for ceiling speakers ( for a new house build) behind the seating position.

After countless hours searching (with small budget) just wondering if anyone could advise either of these, or recommend something else?

Polk V60
https://www.polkaudio.com/products/v60

Q acoustics QI65
https://www.soundlab.co.nz/q-acoustics/434-q-acoustics-qi65c-ceiling-speakers-pair.html

Both very similar price

I'm also looking at outdoor speakers. The only thing I can really find so far is

https://www.soundlab.co.nz/q-acoustics/443-q-acoustics-qi65cw-outdoor-ceiling-speakers-pair.html

Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers

sen8or

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#2497858 4-Jun-2020 08:07

I have Kef at home and are happy with them

Kef CI160qr as ceiling / atmos speakers

Kef Ventura 6W (I think thats the model number) - a 6 inch outdoor speaker

The retail of both of those is higher than the Q Acoustics (well, the CI is) but could be worth a listen to

wazzageek

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#2498433 4-Jun-2020 18:13

We have the V60's in our ceiling (1920's bungalow, so not a huge place). They're in our main living room, unfortunately overhead instead of behind.

I've been very happy with them, I find them very "bass-y" compared to the rears (bookshelf speakers) we used to have. I did enquire about enclosures, etc. for them being in the roof - but never got an answer to that.

In the end, as I did two layers of insulation, the first layer has a cut out for the speaker - then the second layer is straight over the top - so the entire ceiling is the "enclosure".

(Our setup is currently a 5.0 - all the speakers are Polk)

Dunnersfella

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#2498476 4-Jun-2020 19:00

There are a LOT of in-ceiling options out there... as in thousands!

Almost every main stream speaker brand like B&W / Klipsch / Polk / Yamaha / QAcoustic / Kef / Monitor Audio / DynAudio / Focal etc offer them.

So it will depend on your budget really.

The companies that specialise in in-ceiling speakers do offer some pretty cool technology (Speakercraft / Origin Acoustic etc), but if you're looking to get an A/B comparison between sound-wise, it's very tricky as very few retailers will have them setup as a demonstration.

I do like some of the no-tool install options from the likes of Klipsch and Origin - it means people don't end up cracking their Gib by over tightening the screws while installing the speaker.

Re: back boxes...

Many in-ceiling speakers won't actually have one available as they're designed to be open-baffle, meaning the designer wouldn't have wanted the speaker to be surrounded by a sealed box.

Also - for outdoor in-ceiling speakers, the QAcoustics you've linked to aren't really 'outdoor' units... instead they're just the old style speaker with the big lip around the driver and a push-in alloy grill. So that way neither the magnets or a steel grill will corrode. But if you get them wet or spray them with a hose, you can rest assured that the speaker life will be shortened considerably.

As far as 'genuine' outdoor in-ceiling speakers go... I don't know of anything that really does well in NZ's environment as we have some pretty harsh marine / UV conditions that tend to make a mockery of speakers that will work in landlocked countries around the world.

33coupe

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#2500044 7-Jun-2020 14:02

Thanks for the replies

Yeah I guess budget is the deciding factor. With a new house build I am a bit stretched, plus would much rather spend any spare speaker funds on the centre l/r

As I'm getting new whiteware from Harvey Norman interest free, so might just get the v60s. Along with the Yamaha Rx v2085 receiver.
They do have outdoor speakers Yamaha, but pics of them make them a bit unsightly/indiscreet so might give them a miss.

As most outdoor ceiling speakers are under the eves of the roof, would they suffer from water/sun damage?

jonathan18

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#2500315 8-Jun-2020 08:41

33coupe:
As most outdoor ceiling speakers are under the eves of the roof, would they suffer from water/sun damage?

I imagine this will depend on a few factors like the product type (in-ceiling ones vs externally mounted), the product's quality, the level of protection offered by the location, whether it's a coastal environment...

We have 'outdoor' speakers located within the 'ceiling' underside of a veranda, so about 80cm from the edge and all that is exposed is the grill and its surround; they've been there for about seven years and appear to be in fine condition. They'd get no direct water on them for sure, and the biggest issue is taking care when washing the house.