[Will2]

Hi all,

I'm going to be building out an in-home HT/TV setup over the next month and need to pick some on-wall speakers.  Would love to go with floor-standing but need the floor-space.  Would love to go with a direct-to-consumer supplier but haven't found anyone catering to this market yet.  So far I've come across the Totem Tribe and Monitor Audio Shadow lines of speakers.  Any advice on those or any other lines would be most welcome.  As for budget, I don't want to go for super-premium priced but getting something that I'll be happy with for many years is probably more important than up-front cost. 

Thanks
Will

[TomS]

Legacy Audio makes some very nice stuff on wall. Though premium priced, they're probably worth it.

http://www.legacyaudio.com/products/in-on-walls/

[kgturner]

Not sure what you're spending limit is but I was also looking for some on wall speakers. I settled on the Klipsch G-28 which I'm still pulling together. Obviously Def Tech also makes a nice set in their Mythos line. Home theater direct offers a new slim/on wall mountable speaker. You can see it here:

http://www.htd.com/Products/center-channel-speakers/flat-panel-speaker

Kevin T

[mcgsxr]

I built up our basement this winter past, and initially went with all on walls.

I bought some used Paradigm Cinema 330's for the 3 front speakers, and some NIB ADP-190 rears.

I made the error of mounting the fronts up higher than the center, so the imaging for music was not that satisfying, and I have subsequently replaced the L and R with stand mount Paradigms.

For movies, it was great either way, but 2 channel is more satisfying now.

I am sure the current Paradigm on walls would do well in a room that you describe.

[youravhandyman]

I am a huge fan of the Tribes.  When used with the Tribe sub it makes for one crazy tight system though can be a hair pricy.  Might also consider the KEF T series.  Great looks but not near the quality of the Tribes though are less than half the price.  After they break in they are a nice system though and VERY flat.

Matt

[djshorty]

I'm researching the same thing. Some reasonably priced brands I have come across are Triad and Magnepan so far. I'll update as I find out more!

[djshorty]

I am a huge fan of the Tribes.  When used with the Tribe sub it makes for one crazy tight system though can be a hair pricy.  Might also consider the KEF T series.  Great looks but not near the quality of the Tribes though are less than half the price.  After they break in they are a nice system though and VERY flat.

Matt

I just spoke with a Totem dealer and as quoted about $1100 per Tribe II and $1750 per Tribe 3. That sound reasonable?

[mcgsxr]

It sounds roughly right for what they go for in Canada.

Here is a link to a guy not far from me selling a set.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649084780-totem_tribe_iiis_awesome_speakers_priced_to_sell/

It is interesting to note that the first speaker Totem ever designed was to be on wall, but the market at that time was in the dumps for such designs, so Vince redid them.... and the Model 1 was born.  I owned Totem Rokk for a long time close to 20 years ago now.

[dmatt]

I'll toss out Vandersteen VSM-1 on-wall speakers.  I have been using my back surrounds as primary speakers (albeit with a pair of 2Wq subs) until I finish the cabling on my main speakers (5As) and I have been very impressed with the imaging and accurate timbre.  The speakers are $1,149 new and eventually if you wanted to add 2Wq subs, you can find those regularly on A-gon for $750 a piece.  Just another data point to consider.

http://www.vandersteen.com/vsm_specifications.pdf

Good luck shopping.

[zieglj01]

For onwall speakers, I would look at the Boston P442 L/C/R/ speakers.
New in the box - and a good price.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSP442BA/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-P442-LCR-Left-Right-Center-Speaker-Black-Each-NEW/1.html

[jarcher]

I really wanted to like the Totem Tribe series already owning totem arro & dreamcatcher speakers, but ultimately walked away not fully impressed, particularly for the price. I listened at a dealer with just 2 channel music with NAD master series gear. The main limitation I recall was unimpressive sound stage depth and a limited bottom end (no sub I can recall, although otherwise the soundstage width and mid range was pretty good..

The best IN wall I've heard is from Wisdom, but they are I believe super pricey.

For the money I think the options from magnepan are very good for the money as long as the length doesn't bother you. The center channel is quite large and not on wall though.  They all definitely need a subwoofer - but I think many if not most in & on wall speakers do for home theater.

[Will2]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the input.  I looked through all the options I could find and was very pleased to see there were more viable choices than I thought there might be.  Each of them seemed to be either very pricey or more compromised than I had hoped, so I sat back down with the thinking cap. 

The thing I forgot to mention in my original post is that I live in Bermuda and, given the threat of hurricanes (much more of a threat than a reality, but they do come through once every decade or so), our houses are built of cement block rather than 2x4's and hardboard.  That opens the possibility of setting some speakers that are up to 8" deep into the wall.  So, I called Jim Salk and asked him if building some custom "Song" series speakers was viable for the application, and fortunately he said yes.  Placed the order last week and can't wait!!!

Thanks again for the pointers though - they all really helped me make a decision that I feel very comfortable with.

Cheers
Will