Monoprice in-wall, in-ceiling speakers - Page 23

Thanks Ace. Now I just have to wait till the Monoprice site starts taking orders again. They apparently are having security/server issues.

Hi - installed 4 of the 5-1/2 in-walls for a 7.1 setup driven by an Onkyo 607. Three are installed in walls with insulation while the fourth (the left surround) is in a hollow wall - actually, its a pretty large hollow column so I could see it acting like a huge speaker box.

Should I adjust the crossover to compensate? Or should I let Audessey figure it out and just leave the crossover the same as the others? I can't seem to find any particular guidance on how the crossover should be set - I currently have them all at 0.

Thanks

Looking forward to your review NYCJeff. I was considering a Monoprice Onkyo combo but was concerned about bright speakers with a bright amp...

I am replacing my desktop computer speakers (Logitech X230; 5.25" woof, 2" drivers) with Monoprice in-walls that will be wired to my Onkyo TX-SR875. Below are my finalists. I would appreciate any feedback or recommendations between these models?

Model 4618 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2)
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Frequency Response: 65Hz - 20,000 Hz
Power Handling Capacity: 40 Watts Nominal, 80 Maximum
Woofer: 6.5" PolyPropalene Cone Woofer w/ 10oz Magnet and rubber surrounds.
Tweeter: 1" Titanium Silk Membrane Dome (Pivoting)
Sensitivity: 87 +/- 2db (1.0M/2.83V)
Crossover: 24dB per Octave (with -3, -6 dB Switch)

Model 4100 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2)
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Frequency Response: 61Hz - 20,000 Hz
Power Handling Capacity: 60 Watts Nominal, 120 Maximum
Woofer: 6.5" Kevlar Woven Cone Woofer w/ 16.5oz Magnet and rubber surrounds.
Tweeter: 1" Titanium Silk Membrane Dome (Pivoting)‧25Φ Swivel
Voice Coil: 25Φ K.S.V
Sensitivity: 88 +/- 2db (1.0M/2.83V)
Crossover: 12dB per Octave (with -3, -6 dB Switch)

The only differences I see in the specs are: [a] Kevlar vs Polypropylene, [b] magnet size and [c] power handling. I'm assuming that the Kevlar cone is stiffer and requires a bigger magnet, so magnet size is probably a wash. Anyone have any insight into why the propylene model is more expensive? Anyone tried both and have a preference?

I switched it up a bit and went with a HK AVR254, which sounds better to me, but I also did briefly hook up the 607 and even as surrounds they were noticeable brighter, though its hard for a novice like me to pin down whether what I hear as brightness came down to the way Audyssey set the levels on the 607 or a difference in the amp.

Interestingly, I have three in insulated walls and my left surround in a rather large hollow wall. I set the switch on the left surround to -5 to compensate. When HK's EZ-set program ran it set the rear surrounds' crossover at 80 khz and the surrounds at 100 khz. I manually moved the crossover for the surrounds back to 80 khz on the 254, which is about right for these speakers as their bottom range is listed at 67 khz. However, I am considering moving the switch on the left surround to -3 and rerunning EZ-set to see if the result is any different.

I dont really listen to music in a 5.1/7.1 config so I can't comment on these speakers for use as anything other than surrounds, but that purpose they have worked quite well.

Just installed my 8" Monoprice in-wall and the standard Monoprice in-wall center speaker and thankfully, I found a way to install the speakers on-center so nothing looks out of place. Currently setting up the Monoprice 8" in-ceiling, but will have to go in the attic to put down the batt insulation behind the speakers. Will post some pics of the installation tonight, but as of right now, they look great and the wife approves. I will have a separate floor standing subwoofer, so that should compensate for the speakers 10 fold on top of using Audyssey to setup the speakers and the receiver compensating for the sound difference, from what I've read so far.
Oh, does anyone have any ideas on how to remove "New-Work" 3 gang box......desperately need to remove one to see where my missing 9th speaker is from a pre-wired home. It's driving me nuts and I'm having a hard time figuring out any other way to look behind the gang box for the wire. If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate any tips.

I'm gonna post some pics when I get a chance, but I've found my system integrates better when I set the crossover to 100hz. These guys just don't dig like a speaker with a box. But of course my sub is front and center so any localization would be moot since it comes from the screen.

I purchased these speakers based on the positive feedback from this thread, I will give my personal opinion and ask a couple questions.


First I am not an audiophile, I am running the speakers strictly for music. I am using a Russound MCA-C5 for my home distribution. The first speakers I installed where the 8 inch in my garage, while I found the speaker to be lacking base I thought they where ok and a good value for the money. The second installation was the 6.5 in my kids bedroom, what a disappointment, the speakers could not produce a acceptable base and I thought that music from the radio sounded crappy. It sounded better when I played music from an mp3 but the radio really sounded horrible.

So now I am between a rock and a hard place, I can either buy 8 inches and resale my 6.5 or I was hoping that maybe with a box I could get better base and sound out of the speakers I already bought. Now I do not think I want to spend the time building the boxes and wanted so options as far as the boxes is concerned.

I seen someone asked earlier on the thread but never got an answer, would a box like this work?

http://www.truaudio.com/products/acces-back-box.asp

If not are there any commercial boxes that would work with these speakers? or am I better off buying a speaker that already has a box behind it like this one?

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/produc...s/your-speaker



Although the 8 inch has more base than the 6.5, I am not certain that I would be totally happy with them that is unless a box would make the speaker sound better.

Alright, as promised, here is a link to my installation of the Monoprice 8-Inch Kevlar In-wall speakers, Monoprice Center Channel (regular, not micro-flanged), and one of the rear Monoprice In-ceiling Speakers. Also included installation of my TV and necessary cables. =) Can't seem to get a quick space to load pictures and I can't directly upload here, so you'll have to check out my very rough and quick site for all the pics. =)
If you're wondering why I didn't finish the rear-left in-ceiling is because the clearance in the attic is so little, I couldn't get to it very well, so I'll have to let a lot of insulation fall out and place the batt insulation that I just threw on top as best as I can...so I don't want anyone else in the house when that happens.
http://home.rr.com/rain2

Well, after fighting some problems with the in-wall speaker cables, I finally won out and got them all working properly. I'm no audiophile, but they sound really good, thanx to my receiver having the audyssey setup to properly set up the speakers and having a decent sub. Have not been able to truly test them out, but will try soon. Only played God of War III through the speakers, along with regular TV through HDMI.

Hey guys, looking for some help.
I have two sets of the 8" ceiling speakers that I plan to use as my surrounds (7.1) but Im not sure of the best location for them. I have attached some pics to help. As you can see there is no wall from the living room to the dining room and an open foyer behind the couch. We visually seperated the living room and dining room with carpet. I have the TV and everything centered off that (91")

My initial plan is to place the sides roughly 36" from the wall and edge of carpet and that will place them at each corner of the couch and then the rears about 2ft back and another 18" in inward. Please ignore my paint skills but those orange blocks would be where my wife and I usually sit/lay on the couch and roughly where I plan to put the speakers.

Looking at it like that Im thinking the sides might be too close to me and might not sound right. Im also not sure how the spacing should be on the rears. Should they be further back and closer or further apart. I know its not and ideal setup but I would like to get the most out of it. Thanks for any help.

has anyone here used any commercial boxes for these speakers? If so could you share your experience.


Thanks

Don't waste your time or effort on 7.1 for in-ceilings. Stick to 5.1.

Man am I glad I found this thread. As a long time fan of Monoprice for cabling and such, I didn't know they sold speakers.

We just finished painting our living room and I got tired of seeing the speakers hanging on the walls, I have the Energy Take 5 in the front, some big ol' 3 sided Energy surrounds and a big Energy center channel on the fireplace mantle. After seeing the Monoprice in ceiling I thinking of 4 of the 4103, 2 fronts and 2 surrounds, and keep using my center channel. We have a small room, maybe 15x20 and already have 5 can lights on the ceiling so I don't want it to be to busy with the 8" up there also.

I'm running a 46" Toshiba LCD and a HK AVR254.


Also noticed that Fry's has the Polk Audio TC620i on sale for $99 a pair, now what to choose.

Just curious why do you state this? I have 7.1 setup using in-ceilings for the surrounds in a very similar setup as premium0521 is proposing for his room and I do hear some differences coming from the 6 and 7 channels as compared to the 4 and 5's. I am not an audiophile by any means, but the speakers are cheap, it is usually not much more difficult to install 4 instead of 2, so if I were to do it over again I would go with the 7.1 instead of 5.1.

I promised to come back and show the center mounted vertically, so here it is. Really should have moved the hideous shoes by the door for the pic though....haha

Looking at the 6.5 in or the 8 in for in-ceiling setup. I was running an Energy Take 5 setup with a XL-C1 center, but after painting wife doesn't want them back on the wall.

Room size is 13x19 feet, running a Harmon Kardon AVR254, Boston Acoustic PV-1000 sub, and the same center. I was gonna run the 8in as they seem to get better comments here, but I already have 5 can lights and worry about it being to busy with 4-8in speakers and 5 can lights.

46" LCD is on the 13ft side of the wall cause that's where the fireplace is.

I got the 6.5 Kevlar Model 4103 and they sound great. Since learning about Monoprice in this thread I've bought speakers, CAT6 cable, 50 and 75 foot HDMI cables and two thin LCD wall mounts. I couldn't be happier with them. Thanks for the tip.

IMO, the more midbass you can route to the speakers and not the sub, the less of a chance you will be able to "hear" the sub as a distinct source. 8 inch speakers should have lower and better mid-bass response than 6.5's. I went with all 8's for this very reason.

As far as it being busy, maybe if the speakers were the exact same size as the cans and all in a line or consistent pattern, I could definitely see your point (that would actually look pretty awesome, IMO), but more than likely neither is the case, so you will still see the speakers stand out, no matter the case. SInce they are white and round, they do blend in quite nicely.

Helping my bud setup his theater room with a budget setup (Yammy RX-V465, BIC f12, and a full set of these speakers). I recommended the monoprice speakers. He ordered them and should be receiving them tomorrow. It turns out he ordered the in-ceilings for the four wall mounted F+R L+R. Apparently he liked the astetics more (round v rectangle). Looks like the angled 8" he ordered for the front have 5.5" mounting depth. I would think this would not fit for mounting in a wall with 2x4s. Want to know if we should just send them directly back right when we get them? No go for an inwall setup?

Lee, thanks for the info, I think I will just get the 8"s. Your correct they will blend in with the ceiling since we did go with antique white, I'll also pain the speakers.

Another question if that's OK, placement. We have a 46" LCD on the wall above the fireplace, we sit about 10-11 feet away, mount the speakers about 2-3 feet off the sides of the TV and about 2 feet off the wall? Same with the surrounds, about 1-2 feet off the edges of the couch? Sorry man i really new at this stuff.

Thanks Greg

Your L-R fronts should be roughly the same distance from each other as they are from your seating position - thus, forming an equilateral triangle with one side between the L-R speakers and the other sides running from the speakers to the listening positions. There are plenty of good speaker positioning guides out there - Crutchfield has a nice basic one on their website. Let us know how you like the Monoprice in-walls as mains - I have them as surrounds but am a little skittish using them as mains.

Any advise? I feel kinda bad for recommending him "8" monoprice speakers" then not specifying to get the in-walls not the in-ceilings.

The fact that the 8" are angled is a big problem, and the mounting depth may be a gamestopper, so they aren't going to work properly as in-wall fronts. Don't feel too bad - I assume that he knew it was going to be an in-wall installation, so he was an idiot for ordering speakers clearly listed for in-ceiling installations.

3rd the recommendation to send the package back, unless you can use the angled speakers in the ceiling as rears. You definitely want him to get the rectangle ones for in-wall. I just finished installing mine and it would not have been possible to install the round speakers inside our wall for the same reason that the depth is only 4 inches.

here's my site with my installation photos.
http://home.rr.com/rain2

Can the angled speaker be used as center channel from the ceiling angled towards my couch? I planned on keeping my Energy center but would be nice having a clean mantle.

Just got 4 of the 8in, dang these are much bigger than I thought. Having 2nd thoughts about cutting 4 big holes in the ceiling. Plan on installing tomorrow and doing setups.

Monoprice has a microflange 8ohms speaker in stock now.

Anyone know what benefits it has over the 4ohms speaker?

I already have the original 4ohms model and my receiver seems to drive it ok.

Well, unfortunately - it appears that my Denon AVR-3300 is dying. The speaker set-up I have includes:
1 4881 (5-1/4 Inches Center Channel In-Wall Speaker),
4 4101 for my L/R mains as well as my L/R surrounds (8 Inches Kevlar 2-Way In-Wall Speakers (Pair) - 80W Nominal, 120W Max),
and 2 4104 for my rear surrounds (8 Inches Kevlar 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair) - 80W Nominal, 160W Max).

I have a Yamaha YST-SW015 powered subwoofer.

I've really enjoyed the AVR-3300 but I am now getting static from my surrounds, which is a symptom of a bad DSP card discussed in detail here:http://nikita.tnnet.fi/~weopu/specials/fixingdenon/

I am not about to tear apart my receiver without a back-up plan. Can anybody recommend a good replacement receiver that will sound great with the speaker set-up listed above?

Thanks in advance for your help.