Recessed RTi12s

blshaw
blshaw Posts: 3
edited November 2006 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello, all!

I did a search of this forum (I'm a newbie) and could not find another discussion of this subject; forgive me if I just missed it.

I will be building a new house next year and have a 12 foot wide wall that will be the focus of my home theater, with a 60" wall-hung flat-panel TV in the middle and two (not yet purchased) RTi12s as my main speakers positioned left and right of the TV by about 5.5' (on center). The issue is this: the RTi12s are not exactly shallow in depth (21"!) and will look quite inapopropriate if simply backed up to the wall, i.e. they will protrude much too far into the room.

My current plan is to build recesses for the speakers so that their face is flush with the wall. The recesses, as currently designed, are about 23" deep and 14" wide.

So the question is, will recessing the speakers in this fashion impair their performance? Should the recess be enlarged? If so, what would you recommend as the minimum dimensions? I realize that their are no rear-facing drivers in the RTi12s, but I suspect that the foreward-facing drivers must move a heck of a lot of air which, in turn, probably requires a certain amount of free space around the units.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, will I be happy with the RTi12s?
Post edited by blshaw on
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Comments

  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited November 2006
    Welcome

    I think that recessing The RTi12's would severely limit any tweeking abilities. You may just want to set them on either side and see how it looks or impacts your traffic in the room. If that does not cut it for you or the wife ( if applicable) then maybe just build some wing walls on one or either side of the whole wall to give the impressin of them being recessed but still have the ability to make adjustment in their possitioning. The wing walls may even improve the sound or afford the space and ability to add some non obtrusive acoustical treatments if necessary.

    Just my 2 cents. I hope it helps and I am sure someone else will offer other solutions or options.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited November 2006
    IF you are going to recess them ( which I don't think is a great idea ), then remember a couple of things ...

    - The speakers should protude at least some distance beyond ( closer to the listening area ) the front of the TV ...

    - Your recessed area should have enough width to it so the speakers can be toed in ...
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited November 2006
    General rules of thumb.............recessing box speakers is against their intended design thus hurt performance and recesses in walls don't help home resale since they rarely fit the new buyer's needs.

    Inwalls will serve your flat display choice better, just don't skimp on speaker investment.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • blshaw
    blshaw Posts: 3
    edited November 2006
    Thanks to you all who have replied so far. The bit about future home resale implications is a real good one! I hope to live in this place until I kick the bucket, but you never know.

    I think the in-wall speaker idea is excellent. I don't know why it never crossed my mind. I'm off to research my options in that regard, starting with the LSi's, as suggested by anonymouse.

    Thanks again. Forums are always a great resource.
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited November 2006
    Either that or give some consideration to putting your plasma on a stand ... I have a 71" TV that works fine on a stand ... This leaves a lot more options for future speaker and other upgrades etc ...
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • blshaw
    blshaw Posts: 3
    edited November 2006
    anonymouse wrote:
    If the 12s are not yet purchased, and aesthetics are very important to you, then you should consider in-wall speakers and an infinite baffle sub. Performance will equal or exceed the 12s if you set them up right and they will disappear into your room. Consider the LSi series of in-walls for amazing performance.

    Anonymouse:

    You suggest the "LSi series" but all I see is the LCi series. Am I missing something, or did you mean LCi? Regardless, which specific model would you most rceommend? I looked at the LC265i speakers and noticed that Polk makes no recommendations for center-channel or surround speakers to go with the LC265is. Is that an issue, or will most any decent center and surrounds work well? Since most of the in-walls are only available in white (ugh), can I paint them a different color?
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2006
    I say go ahead and recess those RTi if that is what you want to do and then let us know how they sound, there is no reason it wont work.

    damm nice looking speaker to cover up though.

    RT1
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