New theater build. In-walls or boxed speakers?

mazeroth · 14th June 2008, 02:37 AM

I'm finalizing the drawings for my finished basement which will have a dedicated theater room that's 12w x 16d x 7.5h. I'll be using a DLP projector on a ~ 100" screen which will leave roughly 25" on each side of the screen (after border) for speakers. Since space is limited and I would like to have a clean install I am considering building in-wall speakers. My question is, what compromises am I facing going with in-walls as far as SQ is concerned? Since I'm building the walls I can incorporate the necessary framing for these so they'll be in their optimal location. Another potential plus is behind the front wall will be a large, unfinished basement portion where all of the appliances and utilities will be. I will be able to make the in-walls IB speakers if I so desire due to this. This will be the "enclosure" for the IB subs as well. I'm going to use two RS390HFs per manifold under/behind each front speaker (not center). One last positive I can see with in-walls is decreased distortion as they won't require the BSC a conventional speaker would.

Any input is greatly appreciated

peanut123 · 27th August 2008, 05:40 AM

The trouble with in-walls is that yes you do lose some sound quality. But there are some decent in-walls out there. You can still use tower speakers, just build them in columns of sorts. Thats what I did in one of my installs. Or you could even build your own in-wall.

RobWells · 27th August 2008, 05:56 AM

Another benefit is the lack of interference from the reflection of the front wall = cleaner sound.

I'd go for a perf screen and mount all 3 speakers in the wall. Have a look over at the AVS forum, esp in the 'dedicated home theater construction' area for loads of good info.

Cheers,

Rob.

Mos Fetish · 27th August 2008, 08:27 AM

7.5' high?

Things will sound very intimate

If you had a larger room, I'd suggest poured-in-place concrete cabs as a very good place to start.

Jay_WJ · 27th August 2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by peanut123
The trouble with in-walls is that yes you do lose some sound quality.

I'm not sure what you mean by saying the above. In what ways does one lose sound quality with in-walls?

Mazeroth, for your room size, 7" 2-way in-wall speakers will work. FYI, I designed in-wall (no-BSC) crossovers for three of my 2-way designs:

- Dayton RS180/SEAS 27TDFC (or 27TBFC/G)
- Usher 8945P/Peerless 810921 (not at my website)
- SEAS ER18RNX/27TDFC (or 27TBFC/G)

-jAy

RobWells · 27th August 2008, 05:03 PM

Good point about the lack of BSC making it easier to diy the speakers. I'd go active 3 way myself with a large midbass doing 80Hz - ~250Hz, using LR24dB/oct xo's.

Rob.

peanut123 · 27th August 2008, 05:10 PM

What I mean is you are restricted to only the interior wall. For most music purist and theater purist that I have installed for and talked to a tower speaker will actually sound better due to the fact you can build it to the specs of the drivers. Most walls are only 4-6 inches thick, 16-24 inches in length(across to the next stud) and maybe 8 feet in height. Then you have to factor in the fact that you will need to sound proof the wall even more if its next to another room. Im not saying they cant sound good, but in my opinion, towers are better. Sorry

14th June 2008, 02:37 AM	#1
mazeroth diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Columbus, OH	New theater build. In-walls or boxed speakers? I'm finalizing the drawings for my finished basement which will have a dedicated theater room that's 12w x 16d x 7.5h. I'll be using a DLP projector on a ~ 100" screen which will leave roughly 25" on each side of the screen (after border) for speakers. Since space is limited and I would like to have a clean install I am considering building in-wall speakers. My question is, what compromises am I facing going with in-walls as far as SQ is concerned? Since I'm building the walls I can incorporate the necessary framing for these so they'll be in their optimal location. Another potential plus is behind the front wall will be a large, unfinished basement portion where all of the appliances and utilities will be. I will be able to make the in-walls IB speakers if I so desire due to this. This will be the "enclosure" for the IB subs as well. I'm going to use two RS390HFs per manifold under/behind each front speaker (not center). One last positive I can see with in-walls is decreased distortion as they won't require the BSC a conventional speaker would. Any input is greatly appreciated

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27th August 2008, 05:40 AM	#2
peanut123 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008	The trouble with in-walls is that yes you do lose some sound quality. But there are some decent in-walls out there. You can still use tower speakers, just build them in columns of sorts. Thats what I did in one of my installs. Or you could even build your own in-wall.

27th August 2008, 05:56 AM	#3
RobWells diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: UK	Another benefit is the lack of interference from the reflection of the front wall = cleaner sound. I'd go for a perf screen and mount all 3 speakers in the wall. Have a look over at the AVS forum, esp in the 'dedicated home theater construction' area for loads of good info. Cheers, Rob.

27th August 2008, 08:27 AM	#4
Mos Fetish diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New Zealand	7.5' high? Things will sound very intimate If you had a larger room, I'd suggest poured-in-place concrete cabs as a very good place to start.

27th August 2008, 05:03 PM	#6
RobWells diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: UK	Good point about the lack of BSC making it easier to diy the speakers. I'd go active 3 way myself with a large midbass doing 80Hz - ~250Hz, using LR24dB/oct xo's. Rob.

27th August 2008, 05:10 PM	#7
peanut123 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008	What I mean is you are restricted to only the interior wall. For most music purist and theater purist that I have installed for and talked to a tower speaker will actually sound better due to the fact you can build it to the specs of the drivers. Most walls are only 4-6 inches thick, 16-24 inches in length(across to the next stud) and maybe 8 feet in height. Then you have to factor in the fact that you will need to sound proof the wall even more if its next to another room. Im not saying they cant sound good, but in my opinion, towers are better. Sorry

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