The Top 5 In-Ceiling Speakers for Music & TV in your Home

Whether you are upgrading your current home speaker setup or if you are renovating and want to integrate a new in-ceiling speaker system, then we can help guide you in the right direction.

Finding the perfect speakers can be an overwhelming task at the best of times,
whether it’s something to suit a home cinema, gaming room or just general music listening, but when it means cutting holes into your freshly plastered ceiling, it can be downright stressful, meaning making the right decision is absolutely crucial.

Everything plays a factor, from budget to speaker size. Hopefully the following list will help you on your journey to find the perfect in-ceiling speaker for your home, but first, let’s answer some frequent questions that you may be asking yourself.

Q: Why choose an in-ceiling speaker for home?

A: In-ceiling speakers are perfect for installing into a home environment as they are both discrete and take up little space as opposed to a cabinet speaker, which in most cases would look out of place. They will also offer more freedom of coverage as you can install them in the middle of a room as opposed to being limited to installing on the surrounding walls of a room.

Q: What are the pros of an in-ceiling speaker for your home?

A: Features will vary when choosing an in-ceiling speaker such as directional
tweeters for post-install sound adjustment and paintable grilles, perfect for those
wanting to match the speakers to their surrounding decor or colour themes. Black grilles can also be an option and are ideal for cinema rooms or other darker environments.

Q: Is a fire hood required for in-ceiling speakers?

A: While a fire hood is not required in a majority of cases (building regulations
permitted), a fire hood will give you added peace of mind and if you choose an
acoustic fire hood, then this will also give you better sound as the acoustic foam will act as a back box for the speaker, adding more depth to the sound, particularly the lower-end/bass. It will also help with dampening any sound leakage to any rooms directly above the install site.

Q: What size in-ceiling speaker do I need?

A: 6.5 inch in-ceiling speakers are generally the most common size for home
installations, however, smaller and larger speakers are available such as spotlight speakers. This will mainly depend on the aesthetics of the space, especially if the room also has spotlights installed for example. The larger the speaker will generally produce more power, perfect for home gyms and man caves.

Q: How many speakers do I need?

A: This will ultimately depend on the size of the room; for example, a typical
bathroom generally only needs one speaker in most cases and a medium sized
bedroom or kitchen would only need a pair.

1. AudioKraft PCS-60 / PCS-40 - Premium 6.5 inch, 8 Ohm In-Ceiling Passive Speaker @ £69.00 / £49.00

The AudioKraft PCS-60 is a premium 60-watt passive in-ceiling speaker that boasts a Kevlar woven cone and butyl rubber surround designed to deliver a crystal-clear hi-definition sound for any home audio application.

The PCS-40 boasts a similar aesthetically pleasing design, but is slightly lower in power at 40 watts and has a polypropylene cone, meaning it is splashproof and can be installed into bathrooms and wet rooms, for example.

The frameless design of these speakers makes them one of the most discrete in-ceiling speakers available on the market. They come with a white magnetic grille as standard but the options for a black grille is available and is ideal for home cinemas & dark rooms.

They can be used as part of a traditional stereo speaker system or in a 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound speaker system for professional home entertainment.

Finally, both of these speakers work great with high grade amplifiers from major bands such as Yamaha, Sony, Denon and more. AudioKraft PCS-60 @ £69.00, shop now. AudioKraft PCS-40 @ £49.00, shop now.

2. Lithe Audio All-in-One 6.5 inch Wireless In-Ceiling Active Speaker - Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Pro Series @ £219.00 / £329.00 / £519.00

Popular due to their minimalistic installation and design, the Lithe Audio speaker series have a built-in amplifier and can be powered via an existing lighting circuit, making it one of the most simple and easy-to-install speaker systems on the market today.

Three main versions are currently available including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the newly released Pro Series. The Bluetooth versions are ideal for single room installations whereas the Wi-Fi versions are better for multi-room installs - this is because they can be grouped together wirelessly via the official Lithe Audio App.

The Pro Series combines both Bluetooth
and Wi-Fi and can even be powered via Ethernet directly from your router with the optional PoE bolt-on module. Furthermore, the optional WiSA module allows for multiple Pro Series speakers to be used as a 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos home cinema system.

All versions can be extended to a pair by connecting a Lithe Audio passive speaker via speaker cable. IP44 rated water-resistant versions are also available, ideal for bathrooms. Due to us being a Lithe Audio Pro Partner, the warranty can be extended to 3 years. Lithe Audio Bluetooth @ £219.00, shop now. Lithe Audio Wi-Fi @ £329.00, shop now. Lithe Audio Pro Series @ £519.00, shop now.

3. Polk Audio RC60i / RC80i - 8 Ohm Premium In-Ceiling Passive Speakers @ £119.00 (Pair) / £207.50 (Pair)

Sold as pairs, these high-quality speakers from the reputable audio manufacturer Polk can be powered at a maximum of 100 watts per speaker.

They feature an adjustable tweeter which allows you to tailor the sound according to the surrounding environment.

Available in both 6.5 and 8 inch, these Polk speakers are also moisture resistant, perfect for bathrooms or overhangs. The aluminium speaker grilles are also paintable, so you can confidently fit them into any decor.

A 5-Year warranty is included for ultimate peace of mind. Polk Audio RC60i, £119.00, shop now. Polk Audio RC80i, £205.00, shop now.

4. Polk Audio V60 Slim - Premium 6.5 inch 8 Ohm, In-Ceiling Passive Speaker @ £119.00

Following on from the RC60i / RC80i, the Polk Audio V60 Slim is the low-profile alternative that retains the quality Polk are well known for.

Featuring an aimable tweeter and incredibly thin magnetic grille and shallow depth, the V60 Slim is perfect for those wanting a super discreet speaker option without compromising on sound. It even has a much wider angle of dispersion than most other ceiling speakers, meaning more coverage of sound.

If you are looking for an excellent all round speaker ideal for general music listening, gaming or even home cinema, then the V60 Slim is a great choice.

Comes with a 5-year warranty for added peace of mind. Polk Audio V60 Slim @ £119.00, shop now.

5. Adastra SL5 / SL6 - 8 Ohm In-Ceiling Passive Speakers @ £48.00 (Pair) / £51.00 (Pair)

A great budget option without compromising on style, the minimalist edgeless design of the SL5 and SL6 in-ceiling speakers makes them a great option for those looking for a high-end look without the high-end price tag.

Featuring a flexible polypropylene cone for extended low-frequency response, mylar tweeter unit for accurate high-frequency reproduction and twist-fit grilles, these speakers sound great along with being super easy to install.

The SL5 drives 35 watts of power, whereas the SL6 maxes at 40 watts, both providing adequate power for a majority of uses and environments.

Comes with a standard 12 month warranty. Adastra SL5 @ £48.00 (pair), shop now. Adastra SL6 @ £51.00 (pair), shop now.

If you require any further assistance regarding purchasing a Lithe Audio product please contact us on 02476 369890 and one of our experts will be happy to help. Or use our Request a Call Back page for a FREE no obligation system design & consultation service.