Discrete Sound Quality: Best In-Wall/Ceiling Speaker

The Polk Audio RC85i are consistently rated highly thanks to their well-rounded performance for the price. For usually less than $200 at major online retailers, these in-wall speakers come in a pair and offer excellent value. Two-way speakers include an eight-inch woofer and a one-inch tweeter, which provide well-balanced sound with good clarity.

Although bass isn't the strong point of these speakers, mids are excellent and highs are very good. It's recommended that you add insulation to the hole where the speakers are being installed, as this will greatly improve sound output. Installation is very easy and the moisture-resistant nature of the RC85i speakers allows them to be used in humid areas such as bathrooms or saunas. These in-wall speakers can effectively fill a large area with sound, and are well-suited to being used both on their own or as part of a larger setup.

The Klipsch R-1650-C in-wall speakers can also be used as in-ceiling speakers, and offer excellent overall value for adding built-in speakers to your surround sound system. This allows for added flexibility during installation, making these speakers well-suited to both home and commercial applications. The R-1650-C speakers offer a 6.5-inch woofer and one-inch tweeter, producing impressively good sound for such a compact speaker.

With good clarity and no distortion, these speakers are good both on their own or as part of a larger setup. These speakers mount flush to the wall, and come with a full installation kit that makes the process simple. The aluminum grille is rust-resistant and paintable. Overall, the Klipsch R-1650-C offer a brand name product, quality, and performance for relatively little money.

The Polk Audio RC65i are very similar in design to the previously reviewed Polk Audio RC85i, but slightly smaller. These in-wall speakers offer a 6.5-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter which produces good overall sound for the money. Although bass performance could be better, these speakers are adequate for use both on their own and as part of a larger setup.

Like their larger counterparts, the RC65i are very simple to install. The RC65i are moisture-resistant to allow them to be used in areas where humidity levels are high. These speakers can be found for well under $200 at major online retailers, making them an excellent value overall.

The Boston Acoustics HSi-255 can be had for under $100 for a single speaker at most major online retailers, provide good sound quality, and feature attractive design. These speakers including pivoting mounting arms for easy installation, making them simple to integrate into the ceiling or wall. A 5.25-inch woofer and 0.75-inch tweeter produce good quality sound for the casual listener, with an impressive range for being so compact. The HSi-255 speakers are an excellent way to get inexpensive in-wall speakers that offer Boston Acoustics quality and performance.

The Yamaha NS-IW280C in-ceiling speakers can be had for under $100 per pair at major online retailers. These speakers produce good sound for the money, while being easy to install and featuring a paintable grille. The NS-IW280C consist of a 6.5-inch woofer and 0.75-inch swivel tweeter, which allows for directing sound as needed. Sound output is good overall, with strong mids and clear highs.

These speakers are best as part of a larger surround sound system with dedicated fronts, but overall they’re a solid and affordable starting point and will satisfy the casual listener. The Yamaha NS-IW280C in-ceiling speakers strike a good balance of price and performance, while being aesthetically pleasing and simple to install.

The Klipsch KL-7800-THX in-wall speaker is THX Ultra2 certified, meaning that it produces reference level sound in rooms up to about 3,000 cubic feet in size. Performance is comparable to a high-end floorstanding speaker, while not taking up any of the floor space. The KL-7800-THX uses a one-inch compression tweeter with Klipsch's Tractrix horn, producing increased accuracy thanks to better direction of the higher frequencies. Meanwhile, the eight-inch woofer provides strong, low-distortion mids and bass.

To avoid inconsistencies that can arise with different in-wall installations, Klipsch has designed these speakers with an integrated back box enclosure. This ensures performance is consistent regardless of what’s behind the wall, without impacting ease of installation (a separate in-wall bracket is needed for new constructions, however).

The KL-7800-THX is good for front left, center, and right channels, as well as a standalone speaker for adding music to a room. They’re great for a larger home theater room and come with a lifetime warranty. These high-end speakers command a steep price tag, but deliver high-end performance and design.

The Focal Chorus IW 706 V in-wall speakers are well-suited to being used as front left, right, and center channel speakers although simply having a pair for listening to music would be fine as well. These speakers integrate into the wall, allowing for high-quality sound output, minus using up the floor space floorstanding models require.

The Chorus IW 706 V uses a one-inch inverted dome tweeter to improve precision, while also offering level adjustments to customize the sound to how you want it. The tweeter also rotates to allow for directing sound where it is most needed depending on installation and use. A 6.5-inch woofer produces distortion-free mids and bass.

Focal builds their drivers in-house at their facilities in France, offering the promise of tight quality control. These speakers come with a five-year warranty while the grille and frame can be painted to make matching the surrounding home décor.

The ElectroMotion IW in-wall speakers from MartinLogan use clever and effective design to produce audiophile-grade sound and an attractive appearance. These speakers are extremely low-profile, with a paintable magnetic grille helping them to blend seamlessly in with the wall. They also stand out for being particularly simple to install, although most people will likely opt to have the job done by a professional.

These speakers use a tweeter with MartinLogan's patented pleated diaphragm design, which results in quicker response and reduced distortion when compared to a regular one-inch dome tweeter. The 6.5-inch woofer offers tight bass and good mids, resulting overall in sound output that is detailed and smooth.

These speakers really prioritize clarity and accuracy, making them suited for both watching movies and listening to music. The MartinLogan ElectroMotion IW speakers are also surprisingly affordable for the performance they offer, and protected by a five-year warranty (with registration).

These Definitive Technology in-wall speakers offer premium sound quality designed with a home theater environment in mind. The DI 6.5LCR speakers can be used as both the right and left channels or the center channel, offering clear and dynamic sound output. The one-inch tweeter rotates to allow for directing sound where it's most needed, while dual 6.5-inch woofers produce plenty of low-distortion bass.

The three-position EQ switch offers enough customization to really get the sound how you want it to be. These speakers install easily in the wall, with a paintable magnetic grille that mounts flush. They offer excellent overall performance and a five-year warranty.

The Klipsch KS-7800-THX in-wall speakers are ideal for creating a top-notch surround sound environment. These speakers are THX Ultra2 certified, which means that they are guaranteed to offer clear, reference-grade sound for a space of up to around 3,000 cubic feet in size.

Two vertically-stacked horn-loaded tweeters project sound away from each other, resulting in an expanded soundstage for enhanced surround sound. The eight-inch woofer delivers low-distortion mids and bass, while the integrated back box enclosure ensures consistent sound quality regardless of what’s behind the wall.

These speakers are an excellent choice as part of a larger surround sound system, especially when paired with the Klipsch KL-7800-THX speakers and their associated sub and amp. The KS-7800-THX paintable grille allows these speakers to be integrated seamlessly with surrounding space and they also come with a lifetime warranty.

The Polk Audio 265RT in-wall speakers offer all-around excellent performance and quality. These three-way speakers include a single one-inch silk dome tweeter that swivels to allow for directing sound where it's most needed, as well as dual 6.5-inch woofers. Rated for up to a peak of 200 watts, these speakers incorporate Polk's Power Port bass venting system, which allows for more bass and minimal distortion - despite the limited space of an in-wall setup.

The magnetically-secured grille is paintable, and mounts nearly flush to the wall. The Polk Audio 265RT speakers are simple to install, and offer multiple options to optimize performance for almost any space. With excellent build quality and sound output, these in-wall speakers are a great choice both for the money and overall.

Bose has a strong reputation for good sound quality and top-notch design, with their speakers being used for many applications both at home and in commercial environments. The Bose Virtually Invisible 191 in-wall speakers mount flush to the wall, allowing them to look like they were installed in your home or business from day one.

These speakers come with both round and rectangular paintable grilles to choose from, allowing you to choose what best suits your home decor. Two 2.5-inch angled drivers deliver balanced sound that can fill an area without being concentrated in one place, while prioritizing low-frequency response. These speakers are great for saving space while having clear, natural sound.

The Klipsch R-5650-S II in-wall speakers can be used on their own or as part of a larger surround sound system, while taking up substantially less space than the equivalent floor-standing speakers. These speakers include two vertically stacked one-inch tweeters which are pointed in opposite directions to provide both better sound overall and when the speakers are mounted in less-than-ideal mounting positions.

A 6.5-inch woofer provides low-frequency response with sound output being accurate and clear. The paintable grille is magnetic and mounts nearly flush to the wall. Although these speakers are not the cheapest, they’re easy to install, look great, and perform extremely well.

JBL's reputation for good bass performance extends to their SP8II in-wall speakers, which offer strong bass response and clear high frequencies. These speakers are rated for up to a peak of 100 watts, and include a swivel tweeter and an eight-inch woofer. These speakers are good on their own, or as part of a larger surround sound system.

The JBL SP8II speakers offer easy installation with versatile options to make them suit your space, including the ability to be mounted in-ceiling. Sound output is full and high quality, and the combination of performance and style are well worth the money.

The Definitive Technology UIW55 in-wall/in-ceiling speakers offer great sound quality and an attractive, high-end appearance which are great on their own or as part of a surround sound system. The speakers feature a one-inch tweeter and 5.25-inch driver; these are the same used in their excellent freestanding speaker models, delivering clarity and accuracy with plenty of punch and no distortion. These speakers are paintable and easy to install, making them a versatile choice that will work with almost any home decor.

The Klipsch R-1650-C in-wall speakers can also be used as in-ceiling speakers, and offer excellent overall value for adding built-in speakers to your surround sound system. This allows for added flexibility during installation, making these speakers well-suited to both home and commercial applications. The R-1650-C speakers offer a 6.5-inch woofer and one-inch tweeter, producing impressively good sound for such a compact speaker.

With good clarity and no distortion, these speakers are good both on their own or as part of a larger setup. These speakers mount flush to the wall, and come with a full installation kit that makes the process simple. The aluminum grille is rust-resistant and paintable. Overall, the Klipsch R-1650-C offer a brand name product, quality, and performance for relatively little money.

If you're looking to get the most performance possible out of a budget-friendly built-in speaker setup, the Polk Audio RC6s in-ceiling speakers are a great choice. These speakers use two 0.75-inch tweeters and a 6.5-inch woofer to generate both left and right channels from a single speaker. This ability to achieve a stereo sound effect from a single speaker makes these speakers a good option for a wide variety of uses.

Moisture-resistance adds to this versatility, allowing them to be installed in bathrooms, saunas, and even in covered outdoor areas. These speakers are easy to install, and their paintable grilles allows them to blend easily with their surrounding environment. They offer good sound quality for the money, and are an excellent choice overall.

The Boston Acoustics HSi-250 in-ceiling speakers are designed to increase bass response while using less amplifier power. These speakers use a 0.75-inch tweeter and a 5.25-inch woofer. A extra-thin bezel allows the speakers to mount flush to the ceiling. Pivoting mounting arms help to make the installation process much simpler, although this will always depend on your individual needs. Performance and quality are very good for the money, making these speakers a good choice overall.

The Yamaha NS-IW280C in-ceiling speakers can be had for under $100 per pair at major online retailers. These speakers produce good sound for the money, while being easy to install and featuring a paintable grille. The NS-IW280C consist of a 6.5-inch woofer and 0.75-inch swivel tweeter, which allows for directing sound as needed. Sound output is good overall, with strong mids and clear highs.

These speakers are best as part of a larger surround sound system with dedicated fronts, but overall they’re a solid and affordable starting point and will satisfy the casual listener. The Yamaha NS-IW280C in-ceiling speakers strike a good balance of price and performance, while being aesthetically pleasing and simple to install.

The extremely affordable Pyle PDIC60 speakers are sold as a pair and can be installed either in the wall or in the ceiling. These speakers use a one-inch tweeter and a 6.5-inch woofer to produce overall good sound quality for the money, with clear highs and decent bass.

Although these speakers aren’t suited for theater quality sound or for cranking the volume, they offer tremendous bang for the buck when it comes to general use. They’re easy to install, and mount nearly flush to the ceiling or wall to stay out of sight. If you have a limited budget or don't need more expensive speakers for your intended use, the Pyle PDIC60 in-ceiling speakers are a solid budget-friendly choice.

All of Polk's Vanishing Series built-in speakers are designed to mount flush to the ceiling or wall, providing excellent performance while being neatly tucked away and out of sight. The Polk 70-RT in-ceiling speakers are suitable for both listening to music and creating a home theater surround sound system, producing full and crisp sound.

These speakers use a three-way driver array for performance similar to that of a much larger speaker. The magnetic grille is extra thin and paintable to allow the speakers to blend into the environment, while installation is simple and painless. For excellent quality and sound output at a reasonable price, these Polk speakers are a great choice.

The Klipsch CDT-3800-C II in-ceiling speakers are suitable for use on their own or as part of a home theater system. These speakers offer excellent sound quality that is typical of Klipsch without taking up the space of floor standing models. These speakers use a one-inch tweeter and an eight-inch woofer, both which swivel to allow for directing the sound to where it is needed most.

Coupled with a speaker design allowing for highs to be dispersed more effectively, these speakers are capable of filling a space with clear, balanced sound. The magnetic grille fits flush and is paintable, while installation is simple.

The JBL SP6CII in-ceiling speakers do a decent job of overcoming one of the major weaknesses of built-in speakers - their low frequency response. With decent bass for in-ceiling speakers, these speakers make an excellent addition to a larger system intended for either general purpose use or as a home theater.

These speakers use a one-inch tweeter that swivels to direct high frequencies where they’re needed, and a 6.5-inch woofer. Sound output is clean, with very little distortion even when the speakers are being driven hard. The pivoting mounting arms make for versatile installation options, while both the faceplates and grilles are paintable. For the money, these speakers are an excellent choice.

Bose has a strong reputation for good sound quality and top-notch design, with their speakers being used for many applications both at home and in commercial environments. The Bose Virtually Invisible 191 in-wall speakers mount flush to the wall, allowing them to look like they were installed in your home or business from day one.

These speakers come with both round and rectangular paintable grilles to choose from, allowing you to choose what best suits your home decor. Two 2.5-inch angled drivers deliver balanced sound that can fill an area without being concentrated in one place, while prioritizing low-frequency response. These speakers are great for saving space while having clear, natural sound.

The Definitive Technology DI 5.5R in-ceiling speakers offer good sound clarity and quality for a reasonably low price. These speakers employ a swiveling one-inch tweeter to allow for directing highs where they are needed most, while the 5.25-inch woofer provides decent bass.

 Good for both general purpose use and as part of a larger home theater setup, these speakers deliver sound that is low in distortion and with plenty of punch. The magnetic grille is thin enough to allow the speakers to mount flush to the ceiling, making them an inconspicuous addition to a space. Easy to install, the Definitive Technology DI 5.5R speakers are a solid choice offering good performance for their price.

The Klipsch KL-7502-THX in-ceiling speakers offer audiophile-grade sound in a compact and convenient package. These speakers are THX Ultra2 certified, which means that they are capable of producing reference level sound in rooms of up to around 3,000 cubic feet. In layman's terms, this means that sound quality is clear and crisp even in a very large space.

These speakers are also designed to make it seem like the sound is coming from in front instead of from above, creating a more natural sound stage that is better suited for a surround sound system. A one-inch tweeter and dual 5.25-inch woofers reproduce accurate details and deliver plenty of punch, making these pricey speakers well worth the money.

MartinLogan is known for their high quality audio products, combining audiophile-grade sound performance and high end design. Although this combination inevitably costs quite a bit, it is well worth the money for those who are willing to spend more to have the best. The ElectroMotion R in-ceiling speakers are excellent for use as a pair for stereo sound or as part of a surround sound system, such as in a home theater.

These speakers use MartinLogan's patented pleated diaphragm tweeter, which quickens response time and lowers distortion for better overall performance. An eight-inch woofer fills out the bass, and sound overall is detailed and clear. These speakers are easy to install, and the magnetic paintable grille allows them to mount flush and blend seamlessly with the decor.

Focal builds their drivers at their facilities in France, with this in-house approach ensuring top quality control. Their Chorus IC 706 V ST in-ceiling speakers are designed to offer the most quality sound possible form just a single speaker, making them suitable for anything from general purpose use to as part of a surround sound system. These speakers use two one-inch tweeters that can rotate, allowing for directing high frequencies where they are most needed and the 6.5-inch woofer delivers plenty of punch.

Focal claims these speakers can provide stereo-like sound with just one speaker, allowing a single speaker to fill a smaller room with sound. The paintable grille and frame facilitates seamless installation, making these speakers well worth their premium price tag.

The Bose Virtually Invisible 791 speakers are designed to be installed in the ceiling, with paintable grilles to allow them to blend seamlessly with the decor. This both saves space and helps to create a more immersive experience. These speakers are suited for both simple listening to music and as part of a home theater system, with an ability to produce stereo sound over a wide area.

These speakers use two angled one-inch tweeters and a seven-inch woofer, delivering good sound quality overall - although bass can tend to be somewhat lacking, like with most built-in speakers. Installation is simple and performance is excellent for the money, making these a great overall choice.

The Polk Audio 80 F/X-LS in-ceiling speakers are designed primarily with creating an immersive surround sound experience in mind. These speakers use dual 0.75-inch tweeters and an eight-inch woofer, delivering clear sound and good bass that effectively fills a room. There are plenty of options for customizing the sound to best fit your needs, whether it’s watching a movie in your home theater or simply listening to music.

The high quality materials used in these speakers result in excellent overall performance, while costing less than one might expect. Installation of these speakers is simple, while the paintable grille allows them to blend seamlessly into the decor.