10 Best In-Ceiling Speakers of 2023 Reviews

With the increased desire for better sound came a variety of options for speaker placement. Surround sound, of course, leads the way. But in-ceiling speakers can give you options for sound either as stand-alone or as part of a system.

However, there are things to consider, one of which is how they will fit the decor of your room. For example, do you want flush-mounted or slightly raised?

Therefore, we decide to take a look at the Best In-Ceiling Speakers currently on the market and find the perfect ones for you…

Top 10 Best In-Ceiling Speakers for the Money in 2023 Review

1 Acoustic Audio by Goldwood CS-IC83 8” 3-Way In-Ceiling Speaker System – Best Home Theater In-Ceiling Speakers

This is a set of five speakers designed with a certain use in mind. But they are a little bit more than that. They are going to work well as in-ceiling speakers for your home audio. Possibly even as an extension to your surround sound. But they could quite easily be used in business and conference rooms and even retail outlets.

The Build…

They are eight-inch high-rigidity Poly Cone speakers. With these, you get full sound coverage with woofer, tweeter, and mids configuration. They are all given a butyl rubber surround. This helps to fit the speakers securely and reduce any unwanted vibrations.

They each have 13mm soft dome tweeters and Poly Mica midranges. For impressive fidelity, they have three-way passive crossovers. The frequency response is 40Hz-20 kHz with 95dB at 8ohm. Additionally, they are made from durable ABS polymer and have raw wire connectors that are spring-loaded.

Removable grilles…

Along with the strong ABS housings are removable grilles. These can be painted in any color to match the decor of the room.

The Fitting…

They are designed to be recessed into your ceiling or walls. And they come with all you need to be able to fit them easily. They have a pressure lock mounting system that will clamp tightly to the ceiling or wall. There is no need for any additional hardware for fitting, which makes them some of the best quick install in ceiling speakers you can buy.

Sizes…

The overall size of the speaker is 10.86 inches, and you need the size of the hole to be 9.49 inches. There will need to be a depth for mounting of 3.7 inches. You are provided with templates for cutting.

A very well-presented set of speakers with some good features. They are going to be able to blend in with your decor and not be visually obtrusive. This will be important to some. Furthermore, they are indoor use only and not suitable for a patio or anywhere where there might be moisture.

2 Klipsch CDT-5650-C II In-Ceiling Speaker – Best High Performance In-Ceiling Speakers

Whenever we review home speakers, Klipsch is always one of our favorites. They perform well and have a great sound. Plus, we just love that copper look and the horn-loaded technology they often include.

You could argue they are one of the leaders in consumer audio, especially with their range of speakers. This speaker lives up to all expectations, which makes it one of the best ceiling speakers available.

The Build…

It has a 6.5-inch cerametallic woofer/driver and a titanium 1-inch driver. They are coupled with a Tractrix horn that will move on a swivel through 100 degrees. But more than that, and unlike most speaker brands, the driver can also move in any direction through 15 degrees.

To direct low and high frequencies to a certain area, you use Klipsch’s Control Dispersion Technology or CDT. This speaker will deliver an excellent 50 watts of power at 8 ohms. They come with white painted grilles. But you can repaint to suit your decor if you wish. The grilles are conveniently held on by magnets which is a good design idea.

Attenuation control…

You can fine-tune the sound to suit the room or installation where you are using them. This courtesy of the midbass and treble attenuation switches. As a result, they are some of the best adjustable ceiling speakers.

For both frequencies, you have the option of either 0dB or attenuation of -3dB. The switches for both are placed on the front of the speaker. This will allow you to make any adjustments necessary after installation.

And speaking of installation…

Klipsch has made this as simple an operation as possible by providing a template. Therefore, you can stencil the shape you need before starting to cut. It is important to note that you will need at least 4.5 inches of depth. If you need further assistance, there are more instructions on the Klipsch website.

Once you have cut the hole, installing is as easy as getting the positioning of the speaker right and then tightening the screws. You can then adjust the angles of the driver and tweeter to suit your prime listening position.

The sound…

When it comes to sound, you are buying an excellent speaker. It is quite expensive in comparison to other speakers and systems. But you are paying for the quality with clear highs and solid bottom-end definition.

However, it should be noted that this speaker is not rated for any outdoor use, so patios are out.

3 Polk Audio RC65i 2-way Premium In-Wall 6.5” Speakers – Most Durable In-Ceiling Speakers

Polk has a reputation for building some quite robust speakers and other sound equipment. They can also make them quite loud. This speaker is a good example pushing out 100 watts peak power. That obviously will come down in real terms of volume level.

They also have an interesting design. Whereas many ceiling speakers are reasonably small and often round, these are different. They have a rectangular shape and measure 2.9 by 8.7 by 12.1 inches and weigh in at eight pounds.

The build…

They are made from stainless steel, which is rustproof, and have powder-coated aluminum grilles. These can be repainted to suit the decor of the room where you install them.

They are each fitted with a 6.6-inch woofer with butyl rubber seals and a 0.75-inch tweeter that is swivel-mounted. The composite driver baskets and the cones that are mineral-filled polymer create an impressive sound dispersion.

Enhanced bass response…

The baffles are tuned to utilize the space they are fitted in. They use it as a form of a virtual speaker cabinet. This enhances the bass and provides a smooth bottom end that blends with the mids. Therefore, these are some of the best bass ceiling speakers around.

These speakers are timbre-matched. Not only do they provide good highs and lows on their own, but they will also match up with other Polk speakers. This gives a seamless blend of sound. Mixing and matching speakers is an option these days. But matching up with the same manufacturer has its benefits.

Moisture…

With the rubber surrounds, these speakers have an element of moisture rejection and protection. Therefore, they will be fine in areas where there is moisture in the air. The bathroom or kitchen comes to mind.

They will also be safe if they are installed outside. However, they are not safe in the rain or exposed to the elements in outdoor areas or the bathroom. But as long as you keep them out of direct contact with water, these are some of the best outdoor ceiling speakers you can find.

Fitting…

This is easy. There is a template provided so you can cut the exact size required. They drop into place and are vibration-free, courtesy of the rotating cam system employed. A decent system at a reasonable price that will appeal to Polk audio users.

4 Yamaha NSIC800WH 140-Watts 2-Way RMS Speaker – Best Sounding In-Ceiling Speakers

When you see the Yamaha name on something these days, you always expect a formidable product, whatever it is. And these speakers are exactly that, which easily makes them a contender to be one of the Best In-Ceiling Speakers.

The design…

These are a pair of 2-way coaxial speakers. They each have an eight-inch polypropylene cone woofer and a one-inch soft-dome tweeter. The tweeter is fluid-cooled.

There is a school of thought that says that a fluid-cooled tweeter is more efficient. It extends the high frequencies and gives a crisp and sharp sound. It will certainly prevent it from overheating, which will extend its life.

To allow good dispersion, the tweeter is swivel-mounted. And to ensure there are good connections that will not corrode, there are gold-plated terminals.

The numbers…

They have a decent frequency response of 50Hz – 28kHz with a sensitivity of 90dB. The crossover frequency is one of the finer design points of this speaker at 12dB/oct. (3.5kHz). This is seamless and contributes to the outstanding audio they produce. The impedance is 8ohms.

They will generate a pulsating 140 watts RMS, which is quite loud for ceiling speakers. It is significantly louder than most, which makes them the most powerful in ceiling speakers on our list. But it isn’t the volume; it is the quality of the sound at that volume. That’s Yamaha for you.

The fitting…

They are easy to install and fit very flush to the ceiling via the mounting clamps. The dimensions are 10⅞ inches in diameter, which will need a depth of 4 1/4 inches, and they weigh 4.2 pounds each.

The grilles…

These have a thin-line design and have a magnetic catch to make them easy to remove and place back. This design allows them to achieve a flush fitting to the ceiling. You can repaint them to suit the decor of the room if you wish. There is a spiral shape on the baffles that increases the dispersion of the audio. Another great design feature.

Finally, the backs of the speakers are sealed to protect them from any dust and moisture. And will you have to break the bank to realize all these speakers have to offer? Not a bit of it. Great product, great price point.

5 Acoustic Audio R191 in Ceiling/in Wall 5 Speaker Set – Best Budget In-Ceiling Speakers

Here is a set of five ceiling speakers from Acoustic Audio. They are designed to fit flush to the ceiling to allow discrete fitting for those who prefer that. They will integrate with your existing systems. Or, when hooked up to an amp or your home audio receiver, act as the principal sound source.

The build…

They are a two-way system with 5.25-inch Polypropylene cone woofers. These are fitted with butyl rubber surrounds. There are also soft-dome 12mm tweeters. They produce a frequency response of 45Hz-22kHz.

Don’t get fooled…

We have to say that we always grant ourselves a smile when reading some of the marketing blurbs. Obviously designed to attract your attention, these are listed as being a 1000 watt system.

We can just imagine The Who, Led Zeppelin, or AC/DC going on stage with five Marshall 200-watt amps each and using these speakers. With the first chord, you’d be picking tiny pieces out of people’s hair.

Plus, watts do not measure volume. Volume is measured in decibels. It is just put there to plant a thought in your head. Needless really, as they are quite decent speakers without any exaggeration. The housings are made from ABS plastic and are quite secure. The grills are removable and can be painted to suit your decor.

Installation…

They will require a mounting depth of three inches. The size of the speaker is listed as 6.625 inches. Templates are included to assist you. There is a pressure lock system for mounting the speakers to fit tight on a drywall surface. This can be a ceiling or a wall. Very likely the best cheap in ceiling speakers, and if you are on a tight budget, great value. Nice design and easy to fit.

6 Monoprice 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers – Best Value for the Money In-Ceiling Speakers

Next, in our reviews of the Best In-Ceiling Speakers, are you looking for a cost-effective speaker system for the ceiling? Then you won’t go wrong with this Caliber series from Monoprice. Based on value for money, these must be considered as some of the best affordable in ceiling speakers currently on the market.

The build…

Each speaker has a 6.5-inch woofer with a Kevlar cone. As a material, Kevlar is very light but at the same time strong and rigid. It helps to deliver an increased bass presence. It has a rubber surround and what we think are rather large magnets at 16.5 ounces.

The ¾ inch tweeters have a silk membrane dome that pivots with a twenty percent swivel. This allows you to get the acoustics directed to a perfect listening position. There is a 12dB per octave crossover, and the frequency response is 55Hz to 20kHz. Likewise, they will handle up to 60 watts.

They are quite attractive-looking speakers and have a removable grille that can be painted. There are no logos visible on the speakers, which to some is an added advantage.

The sound…

We have already made mention of the impressive bass performance. Produced by the over-sized magnets and Kevlar cones, the sound works well. But the membranes on the tweeters, which are made from titanium silk, also contribute.

They give you some sweet higher frequencies with a low distortion level. The sound is impressive and becomes even more impressive when you consider the price point.

Installation…

The overall size of each speaker is 9.4 inches, and you will require a cut-out size of 8.07 inches. There needs to be a mounting depth of 2.8 inches. To ensure you get a good cut-out, they provide you with a template. A very nice touch is that they also provide a paint mask if you do decide to repaint them, which is a thoughtful gesture.

They can be installed in a variety of places and even under the eaves on a patio. But they are not water-resistant, so they will have to be in a well-protected position. Great value with a more than decent sound. You can’t really go wrong.

7 JBL Professional C24CT-BK 4-Inch Background/Foreground Ceiling Loudspeakers – Best Premium In-Ceiling Speakers

Over now to a speaker manufacturer with a reputation. They usually tend to turn out very good speakers, but they are also known to be quite expensive. If you are looking for a budget system, then this probably won’t be for you.

The build…

They have a steel baffle and are painted black. Of course, most people don’t have black ceilings. These speakers might then be rather noticeable in their original state.

Each speaker has a 4-inch driver/woofer that has a butyl rubber surround. There is some discussion about which is better; foam or rubber surrounds. Down to personal choice since foam can sound better, but rubber usually lasts longer.

There are also ¾-inch diffraction-loaded tweeters that are titanium-coated. Having the tweeters diffraction-loaded means they will deliver a wide and even coverage. This could also mean not having to use lots of speakers to satisfactorily cover a wider area.

The sound…

As you might expect from JBL, these speakers produce a very good sound. They have a decent frequency response and a low distortion level with an SPL of 99dB. And as we have just said, they offer wide, even coverage and a crossover frequency of 3.5kHz.

More than home audio…

They are designed, we think, for a variety of applications other than in the home. They will work admirably in meeting rooms, shops, and even restaurants due to their wide coverage. This may be why there is no adjustable swivel.

They might not be designed to hit a ‘sweet spot’. They are more suited to covering a wider area. Not having a swivel means you cannot direct the sound to a specific point. Some would argue with these speakers; you don’t need to since they are some of the best wide dispersion ceiling speakers out there.

Quality comes at a cost…

We are not sure about an all-black finish, and they are quite expensive for what they are. Nevertheless, there will be JBL admirers who will consider them the Best High End In-Ceiling Speakers, and understandably so.

8 AmazonBasics 8” Round In-Ceiling In-Wall Mounted Speakers – Easiest to Install In-Ceiling Speakers

Next up, in our Best In-Ceiling Speakers review, we have a pair of eight-inch speakers that are designed to mount on the ceiling or wall. They are suitable to operate in a variety of situations and will be a good added extra for music playback or a home theater system.

The build…

They measure 10.7 inches in diameter, and you will need a depth of 3.75 inches for mounting. Each speaker weighs just over three pounds. A two-way system with each speaker having a composite woofer measuring eight inches. Quite a decent size. They also have one-inch ring tweeters.

The sound…

They do produce a good clear separation and have plenty of bottom-end. The frequency range is 48Hz to 22kHz, and the crossover is at 4kHz. They produce a well-rounded sound even at lower volume levels.

Fitting…

The grilles are removable and can be painted to suit the decor of the room. You are provided with the templates you can use to cut out the hole required for installation. You will also get a painting mask as part of the package.

It is an easy-to-install set of speakers that, as we said, will be at home in the ceiling or on a wall. We do think though that they are quite expensive for what is on offer.

9 Bose Virtually Invisible 591 In-Ceiling Speakers – Best Sound Dispersion In-Ceiling Speakers

Let us commence by clearing up a little confusion. This offering from Bose is a pair of speakers, not a single item as the heading infers. Bose is another company known for the quality of the sound their speakers produce. We should once again say, if you are looking for budget speakers, this is not the place to be. If, however, sound quality is top of your list, then read on…

The build…

These speakers are solidly built, and each contains a seven-inch woofer. There are also two one-inch tweeters set at different angles pointing away from each other. More on that later. The speakers can handle about 50 watts and are rated at 6ohms.

The speaker grilles are white and are removable. They can be painted to match your ceiling if you choose. They are magnetic and so are easy to take off and then replace.

The sound…

The volume that these speakers can handle is more than enough to fill a standard room. But let’s return to the angling of the tweeters. The idea is to be able to create a stereo sound image that is audible anywhere in the room. Part of this sound image is created by the positioning of the tweeters.

They have been placed to fire in different directions. Projecting away from the woofer at angles of 40 degrees. This will deliver a very nearly full-range response. And no matter where you are in the room, you will get the stereo effect.

Fitting…

Bose has made the installation as painless as possible and has included a template to give you the exact size of the hole required before cutting. Once you have cut the holes, you simply place the speaker in the hole and then tighten up the clamping screws.

To connect the wires, just match up the negative and the positive to the terminals on the back of the speaker. A good-sounding speaker, but at the price point, it ought to be.

10 Pyle 8” Ceiling Wall Mount Speakers – Best Wall Mounting In-Ceiling Speakers

This is a two-way pair of speakers from Pyle. They are designed for either wall or ceiling mounting.

The build…

They each have eight-inch polypropylene drivers that have Santoprene surrounds. Santoprene is best described as a cross between rubber and polymer. There is also a single ½ inch polycarbonate tweeter in each.

They have a frequency response of 55Hz to 22kHz and claim a power rating of 400 watts. We have commented on that sort of rating in a previous review here. No need to repeat ourselves.

Indoor and outdoor…

Pyle claims that these speakers are weatherproof but offers no official IP rating to support that. In fact, we have read complaints that say they are not weatherproof at all and rust easily. In our view, it appears that they will be best kept away from any moisture and used in a suitable place indoors.

Installation…

They are a flush-mounted design that is quite easy to install. They have a push-type terminal to connect the wires. You get a template to help you cut out the right size hole. And you will need a 3 ⅔ inch depth for mounting.

All the hardware comes with the speakers for fitting. Quite a short review, and the best we can say about these speakers is that they are very cost-effective.

Best In-Ceiling Speakers Buying Guide

Are these speakers a stand-alone purchase, or are they going to be part of an existing system? That might be a consideration, as will how many speakers you need.

Fitting your existing decor

If you are buying for the ceiling at home, it is likely to be already painted either white or a light color. But if you do need to paint your speaker grilles, make sure that is an option that exists.

Put the grilles into place after painting, not before. And always ensure you cover the drivers and tweeters with some protection if you are spraying them.

Cabling

This is something not often mentioned but can be vitally important. It can affect the sound. And if you try and push too much current, the cables can overheat. Also, remember when buying a cable that it never travels in a straight line. Make sure you get enough and that the gauge is sufficient to do the job.

Stereo

If you are hoping to get a good stereo sound, then do not place the speakers too close together. If you do, you lose the stereo image and just hear both together. But too far apart is also a problem, and you may get dead spots. You can usually think about between seven and ten feet between them. Make sure you have enough space.

Price

This will always be a consideration. It may well be reflected in the number of speakers in the set, of course. Some of the bigger names are quite expensive. But you can get some great buys at a budget price. It’s just a matter of looking at what’s on offer.

Looking for Something Else?

We have a growing selection of audio equipment and solutions. So, check out our in-depth AKG K240 Studio Review, our Oontz Angle 3 Ultra Review, our Audio Technica AT 2020 Review, our Monolith M1060 Headphone Review, and our Marshall Code 50W Review for items you can buy in 2023.

You might also like our comprehensive reviews of the Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming and the Best Wireless Workout Headphones currently on the market.

What are the Best In-Ceiling Speakers?

We have seen some very good systems. And some that have been excellent and very cost-effective. It would be very easy to go for the Monoprice 2-way system we looked at. And if you are on a budget, that is hands down the winner in our book.

But we would spend a little more and go for the…

Yamaha NSIC800WH 140-Watts 2-Way RMS Speaker

A quality brand with a quality sound. Yamaha is one of the best companies at producing a wide range of products, in-ceiling speakers being no exception. That makes these easily our choice of the Best Quality In-Ceiling Speakers currently available.

So, until next time, happy listening.