I'm working on a proposal for a 12-unit condo project. These are $1M condos with ocean views--you get the picture. The developer has spec'd that each unit will have a fully functional home theater and multi-room audio. They have also spec'd in-wall speakers for EVERYTHING, including the home theater.

The multi-room audio isn't a problem. Nobody expects award-winning sound from in-wall speakers and a single-gang control panel.

The home theater audio, OTOH, is expected to be good. Not great. The likelihood of one of these units being sold to an audiophile that would be disgusted by a $10K HT sound system is extremely low.

Through my current distributor, I have access to Jamo, JBL/Infinity (it looks like they share in-wall product lines), MTX, Xantech and Russound.

I have positive experiences with Jamo and JBL, but no experience with anything in-wall. For this reason alone--familiarity, known quality--I am leaning toward one of these two brands (or possibly Jamo + JBL HTI88 sub).

It looks like none of these brands offer a real back box for their in-wall offerings with the notable (and only) exception of the JBL HTI88 in-wall subwoofer--and that thing is a 60" monstrosity of a back box.

Jamo at least lists a recommended volume of space for a back box, though they don't offer a back box for anything they sell.

I'm guessing I could (should?) build a box for each speaker, line it or stuff it with something to absorb the backwave and go from there. This would add LOTS of $$$ to my proposal. Aside from the materials, I'm looking at building seven backboxes (plus a subwoofer backbox if I don't use the JBL HTI88) and installing them in the units before the drywall goes up.

Recommendations?

Suggestions?

Run away?

Run over to the speaker section on the AVS Forum and search for Paul Scarpelli, and find out how you can get ahold of Triad in walls for your builds. They are most excellent, and he is great to work with.

James and Klipsch also have good inwall speakers with back boxes and probably cheaper than Triad.

Klipsch sells a fire rated back box for use with a series of their in walls.

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/me-650-w.aspx

http://www.klipsch.com/products/lists/in-wall-speakers.aspx

Zoiks - do you do custom for a living? Jamo is a product an electrician would sell, not a custom guy [ducking from whatever the electricians around here are throwing].

There is absolutely nothing wrong with in-wall speakers for a theater (in-ceiling is another matter). Simply look for ones that are designed for their use and ideally fully enclosed boxes. I would second the checking out Triad - they will do what you need, and if they don't, they will build something for you that does.

Curt

Run over to the speaker section on the AVS Forum and search for Paul Scarpelli, and find out how you can get ahold of Triad in walls for your builds. They are most excellent, and he is great to work with.

Triads are a wood back box, not going to fly in a MDU setup, fire rating is a huge thing on these types of dwellings, Look at the Speakercraft as they offer metal backboxes and Im sure there are others out there with metal back boxes too...maybe niles? sonance?

We just did a 6 unit condo and had to get fire rated caulk(goopy redish orange stuff) for areas our conduit was exiting the sheetrock(behind racks and in mecanical rooms)

check with the local codes to see what required for fire ratings in the MDU's.

Triads are a wood back box, not going to fly in a MDU setup, fire rating is a huge thing on these types of dwellings, Look at the Speakercraft as they offer metal backboxes and Im sure there are others out there with metal back boxes too. . check with the local codes to see what required for fire ratings in the MDU's.


I hadn't thought about fire rating. Good point. But how about a mdf/wood box with fire rated mineral wool packed all in the stud? I don't know what satisfies MDU code on that but worth looking into.

James has "aircraft aluminum" metal boxes -- they are very substantial

http://www.jamesloudspeaker.com/photos/ACFC1.gif

Not 100% certain, but I believe that these building fall under single-family dwelling codes, not MDU. The 12 condos consist of 4 separate structures with 3 units/structure. The individual units are separated from foundation to above roofline by concrete walls. I will double check that.

I have contacted Triad already, so we'll see where that goes.

Just off the top of my head, If I was the overall developer I would want to advertise a "know quality brand" equipped Home theater.

While I love the Triad product I didn't have a clue what it was until I visited this forum.

If you are competing for this job give a proposal that the developer can leverage into sales.

Just off the top of my head, If I was the overall developer I would want to advertise a "know quality brand" equipped Home theater.

While I love the Triad product I didn't have a clue what it was until I visited this forum.

If you are competing for this job give a proposal that the developer can leverage into sales.

Yeah, Infinity or JBL is probably more recognizable than Jamo, Triad and James combined. Bose is probably the most recognizable name in the speaker biz, but I don't have access to Bose through any of my current distributors and I'm not inclined to seek one out.

I have confirmed that these units are the electrical code equivalent of single-family dwellings, so Triad's wooden back boxes would be fine.

Million dollar dwellings should have an audio/video specialist involved in the system design.

Million dollar dwellings should have an audio/video specialist involved in the system design.

Point taken. Think of them as $400K dwellings with $600K lots/views.

I may have posted this question in the wrong forum--I get the impression from osiris13's website that you guys are mostly talking about dedicated home theater rooms--which this project is most definitely NOT. This is a living room home entertainment system with in-wall speakers we're talking about here--nothing more.

Under no circumstances should you get the the idea that the room is being designed around the home theater components.

Run over to the speaker section on the AVS Forum and search for Paul Scarpelli, and find out how you can get ahold of Triad in walls for your builds. They are most excellent, and he is great to work with.

If your pocket can handle it the Triads are super.

Since this is a general area, not a HT room, may I suggest a much less costly option of Dayton Inwall speakers. You can find them a Parts Express. I put them in my family room and was very impressed with the results. I have a 5.1 setup (sub is a separate floor standing unit) I was very impressed with their sound. I'm actually thinking of putting them in my HT in the basement. Products like Triads are for the audiophiles only.

also see http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=927762

You may want to consider the NHT inwalls. They don't require boxes but do recommend putting foam around the unit in the wall. I just installed a 5.1 system and found them easy to install and a great sound. They also have an in-wall sub too. www.nhthifi.com Good luck!

I would look at RBH. They have been making enclosed in-wall speakers for several years. In 1999 I only found two companies that were doing this (needed for my system) at that time and RBH was the one I went with. Sealed box. Not just a back box stuck on. www.rbhsound.com/si760.shtml

Jamos are good, but your right the lack of back boxes can be a problem -- Jamo has a few new products with back boxes, but I think they are all ceiling mounted. Most folks don't know that Klipsch owns Jamo (at least most folks in the US -- Jamo is more popular in Europe).

The Triads are nice, they come with back boxes but they are very expensive. I agree with previous poster, RBHs are highly recommended in-walls with back boxes. Check out the reviews on audioholics.com. They use them in one of their reference theaters. Same quality as Triads, lower price. What are the deminsions of your theater(s) and how much is your speaker budget?

I like the idea of a beach house with a theater, where are you building these units?

VA HDman,

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Jamo--though I have zero experience with their in-wall offerings. The on-wall and freestanding Jamo product I've heard has all been more than acceptable. IMO Jamo offers an excellent bang:buck ratio.

These are not dedicated theater rooms--just a living room home entertainment system.

The units are in Newport, Oregon. The proximity to Portland (Triad's HQ) makes Triad appealing as well. I love it when I can get a locally manufactured product that just happens to be undeniably top-shelf regardless of locale.

you could check Tannoy's or even Soundadvance speakers.

Tannoy's sound great. and I've installed SoundAdvance speakers, that look invisible when finished.

I have a 5.1 Jamo set-up in my rec. room (L/C/R are 626K4 and the surrounds are SU6.521K4 -- Axiom EP500 sub.). They are nice speakers. I was able to do a side by side comparison of the Jamo in-walls to Triad Gold in-walls/ on-walls. For the price differental the Jamos were a clear winner. RBH Signatures (e.g., the SI-760) would be a nice step up but at a slightly higher price. The RBHs have back boxes available.

I have 2 sets of the Triad Gold In-Walls for my 7.2 system and I just love them.

I recently designed and installed an excellent theater system using Klipsch In-Walls including the subwoofers! It sounded as good as it looked!
They have pre-fab enclosures that you can install pre-construction.
PSB also has a smoking' in wall line up.
It's worth a look!
B

I recently designed and installed an excellent theater system using Klipsch In-Walls including the subwoofers! It sounded as good as it looked!
They have pre-fab enclosures that you can install pre-construction.
PSB also has a smoking' in wall line up.
It's worth a look!
B

I second the PSB's.