Home Speakers -- Your Questions Answered

(Q) We hear terms in custom installation like "in-wall" and "in-ceiling" loudspeakers. Can you explain them?

These terms arose out of the desire to describe where they were located, with in-ceiling speakers typically being round to mimic circular ceiling fixtures and in-wall speakers rectangular like bookshelf speakers. But there are no hard and fast rules. Many installations include rectangular speakers in ceilings and to a lesser degree I think there are some old sea-dogs out there who feel more comfortable looking at a round porthole shaped speaker in the wall.

(Q) When should I use an in-wall or in-ceiling speaker as opposed to an on-wall or freestanding speaker? And how do they sound compared to a regular speaker?

The qualitative difference between a built-in speaker and a freestanding speaker is shrinking and the best examples of high-end built-in speakers can be better. The same laws of physics apply to in-walls or in-ceilings as freestanding speakers. Serious speaker companies must use the best quality drive units possible, enclose the space behind the speaker for predictable bass performance, reduce cabinet vibration with stiff baffle materials and firmly attach the speaker to the wall or ceiling.

But there is a demon lurking in built-in speakers -- you can't move them around to optimize the performance after they're installed. That's where sophisticated room correction controls can make a huge difference in performance and the best built-in speakers incorporate them. These aren't simple bass and treble controls, but ones that can "notch" out the offending ranges that can cause a built-in speaker to sound boomy or screechy when placed too close to a side wall or located in a very reflective room.

(Q) Are in-wall and in-ceiling speakers designed for a new home or can they be installed in an existing home?

Generally it is easier to install wiring and speakers during new construction but there are products that are easy to install in existing homes which deliver outstanding performance. For example, Polk recently announced a built-in speaker that has an integrated enclosure that is no larger than the speaker cut-out. This enables you to get the sonic benefits of an enclosed speaker without tearing out a bunch of sheetrock.

(Q) What do I tell my homebuilder or contractor that I need? What questions should I be asking?

The first thing is to insist on dealing with an electronics system contractor who is qualified to design and install the system not only to local codes but also for the best long-term performance. They should be asking you all the questions necessary to design a system that fits your lifestyle, budget and performance goals. Electricians aren't necessarily qualified to do this. Next, if it's new construction, (and since wiring is cheap) you should pre-wire for the future for audio networking, computer networking, video and control regardless of how simple or sophisticated your initial installation may be. This is because it's very costly to pull wire after the drywall is up. Make sure you have a proposal and then a contract that interprets your vision for the final system. This includes plans, just like from a contractor, that help you "walk through" the house and visualize your activities in each room.

Then, after you've approved it avoid making changes, unless something really doesn't suit your taste. Changes add up quickly and can be very costly .

(Q) I want to build a home theater. What type of speakers would be best?

This is a very personal decision that requires the assistance of someone who's going to take the time to understand your needs, situation and budget. This could be a local retailer who offers high quality audio products or an electronics system contractor who may or may not have a showroom. You can find them by contacting CEDIA and getting a list of certified installers in your area.

(Q) Everything seems to be going wireless. When will speakers go wireless too?

Many companies understand that most people don't want to deal with the hassle of wires, particularly in retrofit installations. The good news is it's getting better all the time. But the industry is still a couple of years away from providing sound quality that is indistinguishable from its wired counterpart with no dropouts or interference. Stay tuned!

(Q) I hear about "smart" speakers. What does that mean and where is the technology for loudspeakers headed?

This term refers to speakers that incorporate active electronics that are part of a network and have greater capabilities than just playing music supplied by a remote amplifier. For example, as part of an IP (Internet Protocol) network similar to the one you might have in your home for your computer, these "smart" speakers might double as a baby monitor or intercom, they may self correct their response to overcome room acoustics problems, and they may even notify a monitoring station if there is some fault in the system.

IP audio distribution systems, like the DigiLinx system by NetStreams, are now on the market and they appear to be the wave of the future. Such all-digital IP systems open up all sorts of possibilities for increased functionality, ease of set up and of course sound quality performance. Polk is among a few speaker manufacturers who have introduced built-in speaker models that are specifically for IP systems and yes, they are quite "smart."