[chgolatin2]

My new home is being built and my architect designed my home to be a smart house.  Kinda cool, anyway, speakers will be all over the house and rooms and even outside in the porch area to include lcd screen in the bathrooms, kitchen, living, bedrooms etc.  This is going to be for general purpose listening however my critical listening is going to be done with my 2 channel set up.  Any advise on which ceiling to choose from, do they make any of them "audiophile quality" ??? 



Looking for help and advise.  If you have a web link to please provided in the thread.  Thanks in advance to all!

[nodiak]

Check out Radian 508/2B . I use the caste frame version (5208c) in a sealed box (same model as used in Galante Rhapsody).
I haven't heard the 508, but would expect it is very nice. The Radian tweeters are much better than usual pro tweeters, not harsh. The coax is efficient, 95 db, but won't have much bass below 60 hz I'd guess.
Don
I have a pair of Tannoy ICT65MM 6.5" 4 ohm ceiling speakers that sound fine, "pleasant". If interested I'd sell them for $75, no grilles or baffle tho.
 

[PhilNYC]

Thiel makes "audiophile" in-ceiling speakers, although it sounds like they may be more money than you want to spend.  I'd take a look at BG in-ceiling speakers (http://www.bgcorp.com) for excellent quality in-ceiling speakers.  For something more affordable, the best budget in-ceilings I've heard are from NHT...

[woodsyi]

My brother in law has his house like that.  It doesn't matter what you put in.  They are strictly going to be ambiance music.  Trust me.    What "audiophile" speaker cables are you going to use?

[chgolatin2]

I may run dh labs cables throughout the house or something similar however I am not looking to spend more then I have to

[reflex]

Paradigm, B & W and Speakercraft all have some good offerings, as well.

[PhilNYC]

My brother in law has his house like that.  It doesn't matter what you put in.  They are strictly going to be ambiance music.  Trust me.    What "audiophile" speaker cables are you going to use?

Depending on how picky you are, there are still some things to think about when picking in-ceiling speakers for ambiance.  For example, if your room has lots of glass and hard surfaces, stay away from hard-domed tweeters...

[woodsyi]

I don't know that DH Lab wires are really necessary.  My brother in law spent over 10k with Jamo speakers powered by ATI amps -- multi-zone all over a big house.  It was nice having background music for dinners and parties but it just wasn't up to being listened critically.   I think Phil is right that you should consider the right speakers for your room condition (his was bright with all tiled and hardwood floors) but I wouldn't spend crazy amount for the system including wires.  I would guess contractor grade 16 or 14 gage cables would work just fine.  He does have active ventilation for the amp closet which stacks rows of amps.  The thing I like the least about this "house" sound is the lack of any bass.  May be you can put some woofers in the wall but he didn't have any.  Then there is the whole focus issue.  Can you imagine, "honey bring me another beer.  I am in the sweet spot and you know I like this song...." 

I would have spent that money to get one dedicated room right but that's just me...

[chgolatin2]

I think I may go with partsexpress.com they have a good selection of ceiling and wall speakers that dont cost me an arm and a leg.  Like I stated I am not looking to overspend on my house setup since the sound will be more for ambience and entertainment of guest not for critical listening.

[PhilNYC]

I agree...I think the situation where you want to be thinking about spending more on "audiophile quality" in-wall/in-ceiling speakers and what kind of cabling to run et al is if you are putting in-walls/in-ceilings in a home theater application where the listening is an integral part of what you are trying to achieve.  To just have in-ceilings to fill rooms with music during dinner parties et al, get something reliable and speakers that match the acoustic needs of the room.

[chgolatin2]

Your right I dont think that DH labs wires are necessary I will look into getting some wires from Home Depot such as the 14 or 16 G.  Actually that will be more cost effective and efficient.    Thanks

[woodsyi]

Don't forget CAT6 for video streaming.  He didn't think of the bathrooms but it would be nice to have an LCD screen with the Super Bowl on if you had to go. 

[chgolatin2]

Cat5/6 the house will be a smart house for most tech stuff.  My architect is already aware