Guidance for purchasing In Wall Speakers

dfretwell

Just bought a new place and I'm thinking about selling my Polk LSI25 surround setup and getting in wall/in ceiling speakers. Is Polk the way to go for in wall stuff? Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Looking to spend ~$2500-$3000 on speakers. Yamaha A1000 Receiver to power them. Polk PSW1000 sub for the low end.

Tim Marcum

I am in the same situation building a new home and the wife "doesn't want ANY wires". Thus, in-wall and in-ceiling are my only way to go.

In the great room, I already have the PSW505 as my subwoofer. I picked up two RC85i's as my front right and left speakers and 6 RC60i's as the two rear speakers and for two other rooms for just music. My question is which in-wall center to buy. I am on a much more limited budget than dfretwell, so I am looking for a very inexpensive option as long as its Polk. I have had trouble even finding in-wall center speakers at the usual online retailers. I was trying to find the SC-C or the SC-65, but had no luck at a reasonable cost. Any advice?

Syndil

Might be sacrilege here, but if budget is a concern, Monoprice makes some very well-reviewed in-wall speakers for cheaper than you are likely to find anywhere else.

Ah, I see I am not the first to discover them. This was the first Google result from a site other than Monoprice for a search on their in-wall speakers:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?85549-Monoprice-In-Wall-and-In-Ceiling-Speakers.-A-hidden-diamond...

ravaneli

I watched 10 damn videos of in wall speaker installation, and nobody shows how to install the wires. What if I just moved into a new house and haven't planned on this? How can I run the wires? Do I have to tear the wall? Installing the speaker itself if so obvious, i dont know why they all focus on that instead of the wires..

Syndil

Probably because running wire through walls is a completely different subject than installing speakers. Lots of reasons to run wires through walls other than just for speakers, and lots of information already available on how to do it.

But, here's a guide from Crutchfield:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TPJzVqOHx61/learn/learningcenter/home/inwall_wiring.html

dfretwell

Any help on a higher end in wall setup? I checked out some higher end polk in wall units, but I'm having trouble finding them for sale! Guess I'm not tied to Polk, but I've had a good run with my LSI25's, LSIC, and LSI FX.

dorokusai

Polk Audio makes great In-Wall loudspeakers and are much better than the Monoprice brand. The LSi series drivers can be found in the LCi, Vanishing(New) and RTS series and others, just check out the online models. That way you keep the sound you're used to and clean up your install.

Ravaneli - What exactly are you trying to do? If you're trying to augment or add in-wall speakers, theinstall directions can vary dramtically and from install to install. There can't possibly be a video to cover all the issues one might encounter. That's why forums exist. You can run the wires along the baseboard and fish them UP to your speaker, which allows you minimal cuts and wall intrusion. They even make baseboard molding that looks like regular molding but is actually a channel for wiring.

Use the internet or use us, we'll try and help as much as possible. Reeltrouble1 built his Home Theater from the ground up, so he may offer some help, also Larry Chanin did the same thing, so drop them a PM if you want. There are a bunch of ppl here that have been in the same boat as you, you just have to ask the right questions.

dfretwell

Your thoughts on the Vanishing series vs. the LCi series? Pretty big price difference, but what am I giving up if I don't get the LCi's?

Syndil

dorokusai wrote: »

Polk Audio makes great In-Wall loudspeakers and are much better than the Monoprice brand.

I don't think that statement can be made without a qualifying A/B comparison. Monoprice does not offer as great a selection as Polk, but I happen to have a set of Monoprice's RC-65i in-wall speakers right here with me waiting to be installed, and from what I can tell, they are the same speaker as Polk's own RC-65i (yes, they use the exact same model number) but cost $40 a pair instead of $400 a pair. The Monoprice speakers even seem to have better crossover components, which includes banana plug terminals as opposed to the Polk's spring clips, and heavier bracing on the plastic frame. The driver and tweeter look exactly the same, even sharing the same bluish hue on the cone.

Polk RC-65i (MSRP $400 pair):


Rear of Polk:


Monoprice RC-65i ($40 pair):


Rear:

dorokusai

I made that statement based on hearing both of them, not just a picture. I like your MSRP vs regular price for the Monoprice comparison. The Polk's are not $400/pair in reality but they're also not $40 either. They may look alike but they are not made in the same location, sorry.

Heavier bracing? I don't think so, you should look closer. I've also held both of them to boot. Spring clips vs Banana...that's a valid point. Better components, debateable but the air core inductor on the Monoprice looks cooler, I'll give you that.

Good for you, you have a $40 loudspeaker mounted in your hole. That's awesome, keep on rocking.

codyc1ark

What are you trying to do here Syndil? There is no need to demean someone because they didn't specify their question in a perfect manner; we're all here for the same goal, to enjoy some sound. Lighten up man, it?s a whole lot easier to be nice then to respond in this way.

This would have worked -

Here, take a look at this like for running wire.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TPJzVqO...ll_wiring.html

-Cody

Syndil

Cody, where was I demeaning to anyone? ??? I do not think I am the one that needs lightening up.

My intent was not to ruffle anyone's feathers, although that is obviously what has happened. If someone claims they can hear a $360 improvement over the Monoprice speakers via the Polks, I cannot argue someone else's perception. I was merely presenting my reasons for why I do not believe a blanket statement of "Polks are better than Monoprice" can be made. Take it for what you will. If it makes you happier to spend more for the Polks, then that's what it's all about, isn't it? But if avoiding unnecessary markup and getting a bargain on a great sounding set of speakers makes you happier, then perhaps consider the Monoprice.

That's my opinion, take it or leave it. No need to be insulted by it.

BTW the Polk RC-65i is indeed made in China, just like the Monoprice. Probably in the same factory.

http://fob123.com/show-customs/DMAL1HK393938-25312226_367

If you're wondering what that is, Google Translate it from Chinese. It's a bill of sale from a factory in Hong Kong to a DHL forwarding address in Glen Burnie, MD (Polk is in MD) for a carton (or container) containing: "RC55I-POLK AUDIO AW0055-B RC55I RC65I-POLK AUDIO AW0065-B RC65I RC85I-POLK AUDIO AW0085-B RC85I TC615I-POLK AUDIO AW6150-B TC615I."

Joe08867

Syndil, if you don't like Polk why did you join the forum? Was it to let us know how Polk is pulling the wool over our eyes or to actually help and learn? Cause so far you are doing a bang up job of being a jerk.

The day that those Monoprice in walls sound like Polk in walls will be a sad day indeed. The only real similarity is the number of drivers and that they were designed for in wall use.

Syndil

Where did I say I did not like Polk?? You guys are putting words in my mouth. Look at my sig.

I was merely giving a heads up to what may be--in this case--a better deal.

Since you guys seem to be taking it personally, then what I am reading between the lines is that you don't want the Monoprices to be as good as the Polks, but that doesn't mean that they aren't.

Anyway, all of this is of no use to the OP. I've said what I have to say and I stand by it. If you disagree, fine, but I see no need to jump on my case about it. How am I the jerk here?

dorokusai

No insult received nor even thought of. They are not made in the same factory. This was confirmed by Polk Audio in San Diego and I also work for Polk. The consignment bill of lading slip is just an receipt of what's included in the shipment which could be 50 containers...or one.

It's no secret that Polk is manufactured in China, never has been.

It's not a blanket statement in regards to sonics since my experience was with both products. It's my job to know these things and I hear almost everything. The Monoprice sounds like every other low-end brand I've heard to include Speakercraft which looks very similar to Klipsch but I know they also aren't made in the same location.

Yes, they are very similar and the driver used by Monoprice is simply that and as with most off-brands, a knock off or copy of another speaker designer but it's not from the manufacturer that produces Polk loudspeakers.

However, anyone who sources from China will experience this same issue as there is so much process happening, that you'd be amazed at who comes out of the doors of the warehouses over there.

Enjoy!!

Syndil

And how does your contact in San Diego know that the Hong Kong factory producing the Polks does not also fill orders for Monoprice? How could they know that?

dorokusai

Because you just don't import millions of dollars worth of loudspeakers without knowing the actual origin Rocket. It's called customs and its not hard to find that information when you work for the company.

Happy Listening!!

Syndil

Again with the insults.

Knowing a speaker's origin does not exclude other speakers being from the same origin, and factories in China are not eager to release lists of all of their customers to their customers.

Anyway. How dare I suggest that a speaker made in China without the word "Polk" printed on it might sound just as good as strikingly similar speaker made in China with the word "Polk" printed on it. Clearly I am up to no good, just out to pee on someone's parade. :rolleyes:

dorokusai

Insults? Rocket upset you? Wow, that's a bit thin skinned. Again, you just can't understand what I typed a couple times already, whew. Good luck. I'm off to insult the rest of the forum.

Syndil

I suppose "Rocket Boy" -- which I see has now been edited to just "Rocket," for some reason -- was a term of endearment.

dorokusai

I thought Rocket sounded more to the point. I use Rocket Boy for someone else and didn't want to upset them. Either way, relax. If you didn't want a response or an answer, you wouldn't have posted. If you're happy with your Monoprice, that's great but I didn't find them in any way unique aside from the cam-lock design they have. In-Walls are usually hard to get right and are often dependent on the actual install. They often sound awful but across the board, all manufacturers have stepped up their game. Polk has a few tricks to this and they nailed the in-wall idea back in 2005 when they introduced the original LCi series.

Syndil

dorokusai wrote: »

I thought Rocket sounded more to the point. I use Rocket Boy for someone else and didn't want to upset them. Either way, relax.

What an overly thorough explanation.

And with that, I have run out of nice things to say.

wallstreet

dfretwell wrote: »

Any help on a higher end in wall setup? I checked out some higher end polk in wall units, but I'm having trouble finding them for sale! Guess I'm not tied to Polk, but I've had a good run with my LSI25's, LSIC, and LSI FX.

Take a look at the Paradigm signature series. I picked up four in-ceilings when a local company was going out of business. I'm very happy with them.