Whether you want to have an exceptional everyday music experience or create the ultimate home theater, the best in-wall speakers are the way to go. You can create a pro-level and immersive surround sound environment or provide music throughout your home using multiple in-wall speakers. These speakers also don't take up unnecessary space in your living room or any part of the house as you can run their lines between multiple rooms, on floors, and even outside with endless possibilities.
What is the best in-wall speaker?
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What Are In-Wall Speakers?
In-wall speakers are speakers that don't have an enclosure that can be mounted inside a wall, and the speakers' sounds are similar to regular speakers but are tuned to operate inside the wall. It has a low-frequency driver in an in-wall speaker mounted in a rubber surround. The rubber surrounds will prevent any bass vibrations from entering your walls and have a negative experience on your audio experience. Most of these in-wall speakers are mounted on a swivel, which means you can angle the sweet spot to the desired position in your room.
Since in-wall speakers are installed on walls or in-ceilings, they offer a reduced sound reflection, and this results in clear sounds that are not distorted, which is different from what you would hear from a wireless surround sound system or other speakers placed in a room where sound waves bound around the room more. In addition, these speakers increase the speaker's bass and create a baffle that can further decrease sound distortion and offer a slim profile that will blend in with walls for a less intrusive look allowing great customization with flexible placement options.
Read on to learn the best in-wall speakers in the current market with their pros and cons, and also we have listed some features you should consider as you are shopping.
1. 652W Silver Ticket In-Wall In-Ceiling Speaker
- One speaker 2-way in-wall with a 6.5" mica polypropylene cone woofer with rubber edge and...
- The 20mm silk dome tweeter produces silky-smooth sound and 15-degree pivot for perfect...
- Frequency Response: 60 Hz - 20,000 Hz, Sensitivity: 88+/-2 dB, Impedance: 8 ohms,...
- Solid constructed, moisture-resistant speakers can be used in bathrooms, saunas, or under...
652W Silver Ticket In-Wall In-Ceiling Speaker is a versatile 6.5-inch speaker that can handle 80 watts of power impressively in a surround sound system or as a stereo sound pair for any entertainment area for the 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 home systems. The 2-way in-wall speaker comes with a 6.5-inch mica polypropylene cone woofer plus a 16.5-ounce magnet and rubber edge that ensures a clear and undistorted sound that will fill up the space. It also has a 20-millimeter pivoting silk dome tweeter that will handle the upper-frequency registers and offer a perfectly placed sound, and even when the volume is turned up, the speaker will offer a clear and great sound.
The woofer sits on a high-quality rubber surround. The tweeter pivots for directional sound with high-end components make it one of the best In-Wall In-Ceiling Speakers at an affordable price. It produces a generally rich sound with a natural depth that is loud but not noisy, but the impedance is not as low s some of the expensive in-wall in-ceiling speakers. The Silver Ticket 652W comes with a low-frequency driver with a single 1-inch tweeter, and the low-frequency driver has been mounted in a rubber surround to minimize any vibration within the wall.
Silver Ticket 652W can be installed horizontally or vertically. It is mounted using a user-friendly flip-lever quick-mount system sold individually with a free hole cut-out template and paint masks for users who want to paint the grilles. In addition, just like the premium in-wall models, the tweeter in this speaker is mounted on a swivel. This allows a user to angle an audio image towards a listening position.
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2. Monoprice Caliber 106816
- DuPont Kevlar fiber cone drivers delivery clean bass reproduction, This lightweight...
- Immerse yourself in airy detailed clarity with defined vocals and dialog from the pivoting...
- Enjoy caliber speakers as main home theater speakers and whole home house systems or add...
- No logo grills add to the minimal look and increases the “wife acceptance factor”.
- Buy confidently with a 30-day money-back guarantee and our 1-year warranty.
Monoprice 3-Way Fiber In-Wall Speakers are a well-constructed 3-way in-wall pair of reasonably priced speakers. They come with 8-inch DuPont woofers with advanced cone designs that have woven Kevlar fibers incorporated in them. The Kevlar material is lightweight but still rigid. This gives it a suitable blend for clean bass reproduction. It has less distortion. It has a white frame and grille where the grille is attached with magnetic clips and being white, it can fit into any room, but because it is a paintable grille, you can paint depending on your color scheme.
These Monoprice in-wall speaker system also features over-sized magnets that deliver a punchy bass with a large impact. They also come with 1-inch dome tweeters with a titanium silk membrane that handles the high frequencies, and they also feature a 4-inch driver that is perfect for the mid-range frequencies. In addition, the tweeters are on pivots, and this allows adjusting the sound direction and is a powerful system having a frequency response range of 50Hz to 20kHz and a 200 watts and 100 watts RMS.
Monoprice 3-Way in-wall sound system also features an adjustable octave crossover that stands out. This is not a common feature even in high-end models. This ensures your speakers offer a great sound even in poor room acoustics. Lastly, it comes with installation instructions, a paint mask, a grill putty, a grill removal tool, and a cutout template making it easy to install.
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3. Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall Speaker
- 1” (2.54cm) Titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to pivoting 90° x 90° square...
- Dual 5.25” Cerametallic cone woofers
- Perfect for left, center or right channel use
- Easily mounts horizontally or vertically
- Horn-loaded technology increases acoustic output while significantly reducing distortion
Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall Speaker is one of the best high-end single speakers, and it's part of the Klipsch architectural range that includes both the in-wall and in-ceiling speakers in various shapes and sizes. It features a dual 5¼” low-frequency driver on the top and bottom and a single 1-inch tweeter in the center, and this delivers a great amount of power, especially if you use this speaker for your right, left, or center speaker. In addition, the premium in-wall single speaker comes with dual 5¼” speaker drivers that have an exceptional low-end frequency response. This means that you can get a great bass without necessarily having a subwoofer.
The Klipsch R-5502-W II produces exceptional clarity and detail thanks to the 1-inch tweeter, and this makes the single speaker suitable for entertainment from games to movies and even for watching news. It also comes with a cardboard stencil that helps a user trace the correct measurement before cutting and also has full instructions in a user manual and a video guide on their Youtube channel.
Klipsch R-5502, a 3-way class speaker, comes with a horn-loaded technology that makes the speakers best for left, right, or central speakers. The horn rotates through ninety degrees and will allow the user to pinpoint sound projection accurately, and it will raise the output level and reduce the distortion potential. The speaker has a 130 watts power rating at its peak, and it has a 75 watts RMS and they are quite easy to fit with a depth of about 4 inches.
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4. Polk Audio RC85i
- HEAR SEAMLESS AUDIO QUALITY AND POLK'S EXCELLENT SOUND REPRODUCTION with these...
- Pair with our RTI Series speakers for seamless imaging or ADD TO YOUR EXISTING HOME...
- EXPERIENCE MORE BALANCED & LIFELIKE SOUND – Features an 8” dynamic-balance woofer & a...
- THE RUBBER SEAL DRIVES better response and PREVENTS MOISTURE ACCESS, a key feature for USE...
- OUT OF THE BOX & RECESSED INTO THE WALL - no mess, no extra assembly - in 3 simple steps...
Polk Audio RC85i is a party in-wall speaker that can qualify as an indoor or outdoor speaker, making it suitable for installation either outside or inside. It features an 8-inch low-frequency driver with a 1-inch tweeter that produces 100W RMS, and since it is sold as a pair of speakers, you get to experience 200W RMS of an in-wall sound system. In addition, the 8-inch driver delivers a great speaker bass, resulting in plenty of speaker cone movement, especially at high volumes. Still, to avoid any movement in the wall, the driver is mounted in rubber surrounds.
Polk Audio RC85i is part of the Speaker Polk Audio architectural range that includes the Polk Audio 255c RT that can be used with this model as a center speaker placement. The Polk Audio speaker system also has paintable grilles to suit your decor, and the included template makes cutting a hole in your wall easy even for non-professionals.
Polk Audio RC85i also has a swivel mount that allows users to focus their high-frequency drivers towards a specific listening area. This ensures that you will get the best high-quality clarity and experience, especially for home theater use. However, even though the Polk Audio has a moisture-resistant construction and thus is ideal for use both indoors and outdoors, they have to be usrf in a covered space where they will not be reached with direct water or rain.
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5. Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall Speaker
- The best Bose in-wall speaker has one 7" woofer and two strategically positioned 1"...
- High-quality, full-range performance that most other installed speakers can't match
- Exclusive Stereo Everywhere speaker performance covers the room with balanced stereo...
- A near-bezel-less construction blends elegantly into the room's design; easily paintable...
- Standard dogleg clamps and magnetically attached grilles make installation fast and easy
Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall Speaker is from the Bose Invisible series, which features the in-wall and in-ceiling speakers for various installations and applications. The in-wall and ceiling speakers are designed to be almost flush with the wall hence the name Virtually Invisible. It is a minimalistic speaker, and it features minimal magnetic grill clamps with some paintable grilles, and the grilled can be taken off to allow white lines to contrast well with your walls. This allows the 7-inch woofer to be exposed and the two tweeters, and since they are well-positioned, you are guaranteed you will get an awesome and balanced sound.
Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall and Ceiling Speaker comes with a 7-inch low-frequency driver with two 1-inch tweeters positioned in an array. The array gives the in-wall and in-ceiling speakers a wide horizontal dispersion. This means you get to experience the same audio image no matter where you are in the room, and on top of that, it has 10-100W power handling with each in-ceiling speaker, which is sufficient power for most living spaces.
The grilles of the Bose Virtually Invisible 891 are fixed using magnets, making them easy to remove or replace for painting. The models come with a cutout template that ensures you get the right dimensions before you cut. They also make great rear surrounds but would not work well as the front left or right speakers, especially for a home theater.
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Types of In-Wall Speakers
When shopping for the best in-wall speaker, you will come across various types of speakers, and they include:
a). Front In-Wall Speakers
These are the best in-wall speakers, and they are usually compact and small. They are used on the left and right of the television and can be installed through walls of your whole house
b). Center Channel In-Wall Speakers
These center channel speaker types are rectangular shaped and placed horizontally beneath your television, but the speakers can also be used vertically.
c). Wall Subwoofer
A wall subwoofer type is the best type if you love music and are interested in low-frequency sounds and a heavy bass response since this is what a wall subwoofer offers.
What are some of the Advantages of In-Wall Speakers?
a). Aesthetics
All free-standing speakers, even the sleek ones, usually look bulky when mounted on a cabinet, but these in-wall speakers give a stylish and sleek look since only their front part is visible to a viewer. Also, the regular speakers usually take up so much floor space and may hinder your cleaning and walking. In-wall speakers eliminate these negatives and improve the aesthetics of your room.
b). Decrease in Sound Reflection
When a free-standing speaker is placed in a room and the sound waves it produces bounce from the ceiling, walls, or even furniture, it is called distortion. However, when you mount these in-wall speakers, you don't experience any reflection from the wall or any other place. This reduces uneven peals and enhances bass giving a clear sound quality free of distortions.
c). Higher gains
A baffle is created when you mount the speaker on your wall, and this will help in enhancing your bass and also, when you mount it, the bass increases by 6dB. It is a significant increase because you may not need a subwoofer, and therefore, an increase in the bass helps lower distortions, which enriches your audio experience.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best In-Wall Speakers
1. Moisture Resistance
If you intend on installing the best in-wall speakers all over your house, then you should try to choose moisture-resistant speakers for your kitchen and bathroom. This is crucial if you are in a humid area or install the speaker in an air-conditioned room. However, most moisture-resistant materials can allow users in the bathroom, but they cant withstand full soaking.
2. Surround Sound Tweeters
When purchasing in-wall speakers for a home theater system, you should look for side and rear speakers that come with multiple tweeters, as this will allow them to fire in different directions. In addition, they help to enhance the surround sound effect making it great for large rooms with multiple seating rows.
3. Enclosed Speakers
Most in-wall speakers may lack enclosures since they are meant to be installed inside walls. Still, it's important to note that an in-wall speaker with an enclosure will offer a superior bass response and ensure there's space inside the wall to install the speakers without poking into the next room. Many speakers may come with paintable grille covers, allowing you to paint them to match your decor, wall, or ceiling. In addition, you can also paint over bezels, especially the vanishing speakers designed to blend into a wall or ceiling.
4. Sound Quality
Sound quality is a major consideration because you wouldn't want to spend money on speakers and mount them on your walls only to be disappointed by the sound they will be producing. It would help to compare and consider some features in each in-wall speaker you are checking out.
a). Voice-matching
Voice matching usually refers to if two speakers offer the same timbre, which is how the tonal quality of sounds may vary between speakers from different series or manufacturers. When choosing the best in-wall speakers, try to stick to one product line or manufacturer.
b). Subwoofers
Consider buying a subwoofer as they further enhance the sound quality of your in-wall/ in-ceiling speakers. They can produce a low frequency and a bass better than a standard speaker, improving the overall experience of listening to audio or music through your speakers.
c). Tweeters
Tweeters are the speaker part that creates treble or an upper range sound, and an in-wall speaker without a tweeter may lack some detail that speakers with tweeters may produce.
5. Volume and Sensitivity
Ensure you assess the volume capabilities of every model and try to check with each manufacturer the maximum decibel and efficiency rating for each in-wall speaker and decide if it's the best for your needs. The speaker sensitivity may be related to how loud the volume will be on each in-wall speaker since sensitivity is how speakers can convert power from an amplifier into acoustic energy.
Most manufacturers measure the sensitivity of every speaker from a 1-meter distance and use 1-watt power. Speakers with a low sensitivity measurement may need a powerful amplifier to increase their volume and match the demands of your room.
6. Number of Speakers
The number of in-wall speakers you opt for is a consideration because most in-wall speakers come as a single speaker, but others are sold as a pair of speakers. The number you choose will be determined by the size of your space and the speakers' purpose.
7. Size and Weight
The size and weight of each speaker play a major role in determining whether it will be a perfect fit for your space, and therefore, it's important to check the measurements of your speakers and measure the space you intend to place them. If your space is for purposes other than entertainment, you should consider if the speaker size may be too large, which may hurt your room's visual. In addition, how heavy the speaker is a consideration depending on whether you will be mounting the speaker yourself or having some assistance.
In-wall speakers come n three common sizes, and they include:
a). 8-inch speakers
These are the largest and will give the greatest bass and sound quality.
b). 5-inch speakers
These speakers are suitable for medium-sized rooms and home theater systems, and most bass heads. You should opt for a 6.5-inch speaker if your room is larger than 15 by 20 feet in area, and then you can add a subwoofer.
c). 6.5-Inch Speaker
These 6.5-inch speakers are suitable for a home theater system and any medium-sized room, especially when looking for a high bass response, and you may need to add a subwoofer for the best audio quality.
d). 25-inch speakers
These speakers are the most suitable for small spaces such as kitchens, dining rooms, or small bedrooms, and they are quite affordable, making them budget-friendly. However, they are not the best for any serious listening.
8. Speaker Placement
The speaker placement aligns with the number of speakers you may need, as just like the planning that goes on before purchasing a wireless surround sound system, you will also have to figure out where to place them before your purchase. The placement could affect the number, size, or style of the speakers you decide to opt for, and below are a few scenarios to help you understand better:
a). Mixed-use entertainment room
For this purpose, you should place your in-wall speakers on the front and rear walls with one speaker on any side of your TV. The remaining two should be placed on the back wall and be equally spaced from the speakers on the TV wall.
b). Dedicated music listening
If you want the best in-wall speaker for listening to music, place two speakers at ear level, observing the same distance from each other as they would be from the main seating area.
c). Dedicated home theater
A dedicated home theater setup will be quite similar to the placement of the mixed-use room with one difference. It would help if you placed your speakers at ear level since the room will be specifically used for entertainment, and you can add an in-wall speaker on each of the side walls in a dedicated home theater for an excellent sound.
9. Cables
One of the benefits of in-wall speakers is that you don't need to be worried about having loose cables as you would worry with floor-standing models. However, the cable may need to run within the wall or ceiling for a proper installation, and before you purchase cables for your in-wall speakers, you should consider how long of a cable you may need.
Measure the distance from your speaker to the amplifier or the receiver it might connect with and consider the path it may need to get to the desired placement. Also, choose a UL-listed cable and choose a CL2 or CL3 speaker wire. It should be enough for in-wall speakers. CL2 speakers are beneficial since they accept a maximum voltage of 150 volts, and the CL3 cables may allow a maximum voltage of 300 volts.
10. Frequency Response
A human usually hears between a 20Hz and 20kHz frequency range, so when you see frequency range on an in-wall speaker, it tells of the portion that a specific speaker will play. Therefore, a speaker with a frequency rating between 50Hz and 20kHz will offer a deep bass than a speaker with a 65Hz to 20kHz rating.
11. Power Handling
The power specification on the speaker usually is the maximum amp power your speaker can handle. The higher the power rating, means the louder your in-wall speaker will sound.
12. Installation
The installation process will be a breeze if you ensure you have everything you may need to install your new in-wall speakers, and if speakers you opt for don't include mounting brackets, then ensure you purchase a set before you plan on installing them. Some tools you may need for the installation process include a drywall cutter, a carpenter's pencil, screwdrivers, a drill, and a level. If you are uncomfortable with wiring and installing your new in-wall speakers yourself, opt to hire a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best In-Wall Speakers
1. Do in-wall and in-ceiling speakers sound as good?
In-wall and in-ceiling speakers usually sound great but may not match the sound quality and performance of floor standing speakers, but they are beneficial as they take up less space and will help create an immersive sound experience. In addition, since an in-wall or in-ceiling speaker can be mounted directly into a wall, they can be used with any surround setup, which will help create a more accurate sound reproduction. Thus, the in-wall or in-ceiling speakers are a great addition to any home theater system, especially after an immersive sound. However, the in-ceiling speaker needs to be designed specifically for the ceiling to make an impressive addition to the surround sound setup.
2. Does an In-Wall Speaker vibrate the wall?
Sometimes, since audio signals that travel out of the speakers usually vibrate walls, they are close to or touch since the sound waves fed through your speaker can travel in all directions. However, you can dampen these signals by redirecting through the casing type surrounding the internal speaker hardware.
3. Will the distance of speakers from my receiver affect my sound quality?
Yes, it would help keep your cable length tethering your in-wall or ceiling speakers to the receiver as short as possible to achieve the best audio quality. Even though sound quality doesn't get affected a lot unless it is about 25 feet or more, wired speakers opt for a 14-gauge cable or a 12-gauge cable for any speakers over 25 feet from the receiver.
4. Where should I place my speakers?
Where you place may depend on which setup you are using, whether the 5.1, 7.1, or 9.1 setups, but there are some general rules to follow regardless of the number of speakers you are using. Again, this will depend on your room's layout, where you should try and place your speakers with distance from each other and have surround speakers in your corners around your listening area. Also, try to ensure your speakers are free from obstructions, and it would be better to mount them on your wall.
5. How many subwoofers do I need?
This depends on your room size as more subwoofers help give you a better bass quality, and they also offer a more flexible placement when looking for the ideal spot for optimal sound quality. However, for a small listening area, having more than one subwoofer may be overkill.
