New ceiling speakers - Lumi vs B&W

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › New ceiling speakers - Lumi vs B&W

MikeyNZ123

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#269842 10-Apr-2020 15:49

Hi there,

I’m after a bit of advice. I’ve just purchased 2x marantz sr5013 receivers and now wanting to purchase some ceiling speakers.

At our last house we had Bowers and Wilkins CCM362 in the media lounge and through the family room , kitchen/dining area, but unsure if I want to spend that kind of money again looking at putting roughly 14 speakers in this time. I don’t crank the music right to the max or play really loud movies it’s just nice to have music around the house and surround sound when watching a movie. So, my question is has anyone tried or are using the Lumi speakers? I can’t find any information or reviews about them and if someone is using them what are their thoughts?

Or if someone has advice on what they would use

Thanks in advance

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2459070 10-Apr-2020 18:33

From B&W (albeit their entry level model) to Lumi?!?!?

Lumi are effectively an OEM brand that anyone (you or me) can order from the factory and sell them anywhere. That's not technically a negative... but their sound and quality is.

You don't see reviews for their products because they are pretty much the second to bottom in the world in in-ceiling speakers.

hsvhel

1237 posts

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#2459074 10-Apr-2020 18:42

Your budget is what it is, however, you're going to notice the changes from what you had.

Can you prioritize locations for better speakers and have the generic fill on the lesser unused locations?

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MikeyNZ123

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2459078 10-Apr-2020 18:47

Hi, thanks for the replies - it’s more the fact that I spent a lot of money on my last speakers an I reckon that I used them to about 30% of their capabilities.. what would be an speaker that you would recommend? With out going and spending $600+ Per speaker..? I really would like front facing wall speakers in the Media room and everything else to be ceiling speakers

billgates

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#2459099 10-Apr-2020 19:52

Another vote to avoid Lumi speakers. They sound flat.

RSL C34e are really good in ceiling speakers. USD$125 each + shipping. You will have to wait until their warehouse opens again in US once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

https://rslspeakers.com/c34e-ceiling-speaker/

Do whatever you want to do man.

hsvhel

1237 posts

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#2459112 10-Apr-2020 20:37

Where are you based?

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#2459113 10-Apr-2020 20:41

There are a LOT of speaker brands in the world!

Seriously - far too many to be fair...

But if you're looking to hit value for money from brands that specialise in HiFi and not pumping out the cheapest speaker possible... you can look at:

Kef - HiFi stores + direct from importer

Klipsch - Big box store (HN) + HiFi stores

Jamo - Big box store (JB)

B&W - direct from importer + HiFi stores

Yamaha - offered by CI installers and some retail

QAcoustics - offered in HiFi stores and order in via 100% stores

Monitor Audio - offered in HiFi stores

Polk - value and offered in local big-box stores + HiFi stores

DefTech - HiFi stores

Wharfedale - JB + direct from importer

Outside of that, you're looking at high priced models or potentially won't be able to demo them before buying.

Are you doing the install yourself? The Klipsch are the easiest to put in the ceiling / wall as you don't need a screw driver / power drill to put them in.

MikeyNZ123

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2459116 10-Apr-2020 20:50

I’m in Christchurch..

Yeah, it is a bloody hard decision to make! But I do like the advice - so thanks again! There is just so much to choose from and like I said earlier I’m not that into the whole sound system thing.. it’s just that it’s nice to have music around the house or some better sound when watching a movie! But also don’t want to end up being a tight arse and then regretting my decision! .. I’ll prob be doing the install with a electrician friend of mine who is rather handy with this kind of thing

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jjnz1

1363 posts

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#2459128 10-Apr-2020 21:27

I used to recommend low end in ceiling setups.

But now 10 years on, my feelings have changed. Have you considered something like Sonos or Google home Max per room. A lot more functionally, smarts, ease of use, can link them all together. I would then just focus on a dedicated install for 1 room.

Even as recently I sold my amp which powered my outdoor speakers and now I just use a Bluetooth speaker - and coincidentally I no longer get neighbor complaints and even my wife can put music on outside. (The outdoor speakers are still installed outside btw just not connected to anything now).

MikeyNZ123

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2459130 10-Apr-2020 21:50

Yeah the new marantz amp/receivers are pretty good with HEOS - the media room will be its own amp and the other part of the house will be ran on another amp and outside will be on the 2 separate zones but can be linked all together .. I’ll have no issues with neighbors- could blast music as loud as I can and no one would hear 😂

Geektastic

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#2459133 10-Apr-2020 22:01

I have had several pairs of B&W speakers over the years and always enjoyed their sound.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#2459252 11-Apr-2020 10:33

MikeyNZ123: I’m in Christchurch..

Yeah, it is a bloody hard decision to make! But I do like the advice - so thanks again! There is just so much to choose from and like I said earlier I’m not that into the whole sound system thing.. it’s just that it’s nice to have music around the house or some better sound when watching a movie! But also don’t want to end up being a tight arse and then regretting my decision! .. I’ll prob be doing the install with a electrician friend of mine who is rather handy with this kind of thing

If your friend is an electrician... I'm guessing he has said he can get the Lumi's cheap through CDL?

If that's the case, you'd be better to get him to go through CDL for KEF's as they absolutely spank Lumi's, even at their entry level price point.

I would also he has a trade account at the electrical wholesalers, so he can pick up deals on the other brands - so yeah, lots of choices for you. Ultimately you'll be happy with the other brands I listed, but again, I'd steer clear of Lumi's.

sen8or

1789 posts

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#2459746 12-Apr-2020 12:16

I have just put Kef in my house all through CDL (trade) and would really recommend them. I have the q160r as my atmos speakers, they are the "small" speakers but at 6 inch and up to 130w recommended power really are almost overkill for their use. They do have quite a nice tone to them.