Advice for an In-Ceiling 5.1 - should I go w/ full LC80i's?

mscappa

Hi All,

I have a 50px500 and am having a media/family room built in the next couple of months. So I'm looking to step things up in the audio dept. So due to limited SQ footage, an odd layout and most importantly, of course the naggin' wife story we've all heard a million times, I'm forced to go with in-ceiling speakers al around. Been trying to do some research for in-ceiling speakers with not much luck! Is it because they really suck that bad for HT use? I've seen some good reviews on this site (of course) and on crutchfield for Polk's LC80i's and wanted to see anyone could corroborate.

There seems to be more and more of these in-ceilings/in-wall options hitting the market as of late, but not many quality reviews? Anyone have any suggestions/opinions? If i did go with the Polks, any thoughts on what center i should use? And most importantly, which tuner would work well for these puppies with 4ohms?

Background Info:
I'll mostly be watching movies/HD TV with some gamming(upcoming PS3) The room will be a rectangle (18X14) with 3 walls. The only long wall will have a fireplace and windows on either side, the back short wall will have a double windows and French doors ot to the screened poarch and the front short wall is where the Panny's going in a custom built in. I know what you're thinking, not much of a true "media room" with all these windows, but it's the best i could get the boss to sign off on. To make matters worse, it's a half cathedral ceiling. So that means it basically looks like the bottom part of a capital "A". Makes sense? between a tray and a cathedral.

PLEASE help me make the best of what I have to work with!!

Crutchfield's Review

Polk Site Reviews

MADGSF

I have in-ceiling surrounds which work well in that application but have never heard an entire system of them. Is it possible to use in-walls with the performance enclosures for at least the front three speakers? I think this would sound better, I am just not sure how good the front sound stage will be with the speakers facing down.

As for driving the 4-Ohms speakers with a receiver I think a B&K AVR505/507 is the way to go. I heard the 505 with some LSi-9s and the combination sounded great. The speakers you are looking at are of the same family so I would expect them to sound great as well.

Here are a couple of reviews for in-wall Polks I found on www.ecoustics.com. I have never seen a review on in-ceiling speakers.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_1/polk-audio-lc65i-in-wall-speakers-2-2005.html

http://www.hometheatermag.com/custominstallation/105polk/

wingnut4772

I have LC80is as my two rear surrounds and I like them in that application but I would not use them for anything in the front. Do you have the room to have a traditional front stage? You know...with regular speakers? it doesn't have to be ugly. I am a woman and I think my set up is purdy.:p

mazersteven

mscappa wrote:

Hi All,

If i did go with the Polks, any thoughts on what center i should use?


Polk Site Reviews

I would use the same in-ceiling speaker as your mains for your center channel too.

mscappa

mazersteven wrote:

I would use the same in-ceiling speaker as your mains for your center channel too.

Ha! and let me guess, i should consider the aim's too, right?

mazersteven

mscappa wrote:

Ha! and let me guess, i should consider the aim's too, right?

No, what ever in-ceilings you decide to go with. You should make the front three the same speaker.

mrloren

Hey,

I have TC80I as front speakers and they sound great! The only thing is you wont know how they will sound in your home till you cut the hole and put them in.

mscappa

mrloren wrote:

Hey,

I have TC80I as front speakers and they sound great! The only thing is you wont know how they will sound in your home till you cut the hole and put them in.

i hear ya. what kind of setup do you have? Mine's not too typical as you can see from my initial post, but what about you? What are you using as rears?

mrloren

Here is my set up:
Receiver Sony STR-DA2100ES
DVD player Sony DVP-NS3100ES
Front speakers Polk TC80i "in-ceiling"
Center Polk CSi5
Rear speakers Polk RC60i "in-ceiling"
Sub HSU STF-2
This set up works great for me. It all depends on the room in which they are installed. I rolled the dice and cut the holes and it came out good, I dont think it will work for everyone.

mrloren

Woops the room

My family room in kind of weird too. front wall has the media niche and fire place and a big window, right wall has a lot of windows. No real back wall open to the kitchen. the left side is open stairs going up with the hall connecting the rest of the house. When we bought the house the builder had an "HT" expert come out and tell me the only way to do the room was with "in-ceiling" speakers so I had to sell my advent floor standing speakers which I loved. I had book shelf speakers in the corners till this week now I have all "in-ceiling" and no more wife nags about the speaker wire. This is what I think of it all now.
Movies/TV= Great best my family room has ever sounded for this.
Music = good to great rock and easy music is great the kids hip hop is good kind of funky with the base coming from the ceiling.
I would say for music it is a little better than the RTi4's but for HT it's a lot better.