Polk LCi Enclosures vs Stud Wall

gil

I am considering the LC65i or LC265i in-walls and wondering how much of a difference the sound performance is using the Polk enclosures vs using fire-stops between the studs, some caulking between the plywood/stud seams and insulation to form the enclosure?

Also, how is the bass output of the 65i compared to the LSi9?

-gil

Dennis Gardner

Older inwalls were modeled to use the entire cavity of a standard stud spacing. Their new enclosures help eliminate some of the problems with inwalls. Unless you have the exact dimensions for the best responses, I would trust Polks R&D efforts.

Realize that inwalls are inherently an audio compromise for better asthetics. The Polk inwalls are good performers, but still can't compare to the solid construction of their manufactured box speakers. This has more to do with the fact that flat against a wall is a poor place to put any speaker to get great imaging.

VR3

They do not design an inwall speaker by the space between the ceiling and floor....

For one good reason, everyones walls are different heights and are made different overall....

Polk designed them for the performance enclosure but also designed them to be placed in a wall.

Polks inwall testing room uses 8 foot or 9 foot ceilings though, and they dont use the performance enclosures in that testing

Dennis Gardner

Thanks, Trey.

I edited my response as I am more familiar with older inwall designs and it looks that Polk has done their homework in the newer enclosures.

We all can agree that inwalls do have their limits though.

DG

VR3

Of course...

Atleast Polk is offering a very well-rounded substitute for those that don't want boxes all over the place...

I havn't heard the Polks in the enclosure, but I am sure the difference would be little from a regular speaker...

Would be an interesting A/B

Larry Chanin

Originally posted by Dennis Gardner
Older inwalls were modeled to use the entire cavity of a standard stud spacing. Their new enclosures help eliminate some of the problems with inwalls. Unless you have the exact dimensions for the best responses, I would trust Polks R&D efforts.

Hi,

According to Polk's LCi White Paper on the subject, the ideal cavity volume for the LC65i and the LC265i is one cubic foot or 34" between the fire stops in a 2"x 4" wall.

Realize that inwalls are inherently an audio compromise for better asthetics. The Polk inwalls are good performers, but still can't compare to the solid construction of their manufactured box speakers. This has more to do with the fact that flat against a wall is a poor place to put any speaker to get great imaging.

In general I'm inclined to agree with Dennis especially being able to reproduce consistent performance using a factory manufactured MDF enclosure versus the somewhat uncertain skills of different sheetrock installers.

Actually with regard to imaging, placing a speaker in a wall might actually help since sound defraction off the corners of the standard cabinets are eliminated. In terms of pure bass extention, Polk's specs would suggest that the LC65i performs better than the LSi9's, with a lower -3 dB limit of 45 hz versus 50 hz. However, I suspect that Polk is quoting the LC65i's response with the performance enclosure.

Although I have LC265i's with performance enclosures, I'm afraid I can't answer Gil's comparison with fire stops question. All I can say is that I'm extremely happy with them serving as surround back speakers.

One last comment. If you are working with existing walls and are unsure what obstructions are lie behind the sheetrock, then perhaps it would be better to forgo the enclosures. I was foolish enough to buy the enclosures with my walls closed-in with two layers of sheetrock. I encountered plumbing and electrical circuits and struggled for almost a week to shoehorn the enclosures into the wall.

Larry