Which Ceiling Atmos Speakers to Match LSiM: 700-LS, 70RT, 80 f/x or ???

Gage_GR

I am finishing a basement currently (not drywalled yet). My media Room is 16x30x8 and i'm planning a 5.1.4 setup eventually moving to 7.2.4. Usage is 80% Movies/TV and 20% music.

I am unsure how important timbre matching is for the 4 Atmos ceiling speakers. I have also heard that the speakers should be directional, non bipole/diplole, and have tweeters pointed at the MLP.

The ceiling speakers would be placed fore and aft of the MLP. The only caveat is that I might consider adding a couple of speakers above my bar as well (the next room over) and so costs could increase. Anything over 400 or so will have to pull budget from elsewhere (second sub, better receiver, rear speakers etc).

700 LS (timbre matched) are $800 for four which I will bite it off it needed. The 80 f/x (also timbre matched) saves $200, and the 70RT saves a good $400 but doesn't have the ring radiator tweeter. How important is timbre matching here? Any thoughts on what I should buy? Maybe there is a non-polk product that kicks butt at Atmos on the ceiling...

Current Setup:
Speakers: LSiM: Front: 2x705, Center: 706c, Surround: 702 f/x and eventually rears either 702, 703, or 705.

Sub: I have an outlaw LFM1-EX Sub and plan to add another

Receiver: Not yet decided, likely Marantz as they pre-outs for 11.2

Amp: Outlaw 770 (200w x 7ch)

TV: LG OLED 77 (waiting for the 2021 model)

BluRay and Other Sources: Still deciding

shs

I used the TL3 for on-ceiling speakers with my setup which uses LSiM for the front and surrounds. The TL3 have a ring radiator tweeter and with omni-mounts can be aimed at the MLP. I paid ~$100 each and have been very happy with them. I see now that they are discontinued and may be hard to find.

Gage_GR

shs wrote: »

I used the TL3 for on-ceiling speakers with my setup which uses LSiM for the front and surrounds. The TL3 have a ring radiator tweeter and with omni-mounts can be aimed at the MLP. I paid ~$100 each and have been very happy with them. I see now that they are discontinued and may be hard to find.

THANKS!

I have a lead on a TL350 Set (4 TL3's and a center I wouldn't use) on Facebook marketplace. I was thinking the in ceiling speakers might look cleaner for the install, but that would make the ceiling very busy as well with all the can lighting up there and potentially a couple of ceiling fans.

Do you happen to have a picture of your setup you could share? Do you have them mounted in the corner where the wall meets the ceiling, or on the ceiling itself?

shs

Here is a link to Part 2 of a 3-part writeup on my home theater. There are pics in Parts 1 and 3 as well.
https://hometheaterhifi.com/features/custom-home-theater/the-smallcombe-home-theater-ii-part-2/

shs

Let me add that if your ceiling is less than 8' then in-ceiling speakers are probably the best bet as they increase the vertical separation from the ear level speakers. If you ceiling is more than 8' then on or near-ceiling speakers can work very well.

Gage_GR

@shs I appreciate your help and ideas, thanks for contributing to the thread. I ordered Four 700-LS in ceilings yesterday which use the LSiM tweeter, total cost $850 shipped including tax.

I used Crutchfield's comparison solution (matched to a pair of audiophile headphones and a good DAC) and would have preferred the 900-LS for their lows and slightly better mids, but above 60hz or so all was mostly equal. Additionally the 700-LS plays lower than every other competing speaker in the $100-$600 per speaker range already because of it's built in enclosure. So I made the choice to save $400 bucks and go with a 5x7 woofer vs a 6x9. I hope I will not regret the decision.

On the upside, I have a potential line on a pair of 705s for my office that would allow me to put my office 703s into my theater as rears. This system is really shaping up. My only concern is this pair of used 705s is the same price as a second subwoofer. So the choice is now 5.2.4 or 7.1.4. I know the subwoofer is probably more bag for my sonic buck, but its an easy add later and I am pre wiring for 3+ subwoofer locations in the room (in wall RCAs)