Best InWall Speakers - AudioStance

The Best In-Wall Speakers

Enhance your home audio experience with in-wall speakers, a space-saving speaker style that helps improve immersion, bringing you closer to the action. Not only are in-wall speakers effective in producing high-quality sound, but they look great, too. We’ve used our years of experience in the audio industry to craft this list of the best in-wall speakers on the market.

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Providing your intended room type is essential for ensuring compatibility and effective waterproofing in areas with excessive moisture.

In-Wall Speaker Buying & Installation Considerations

We know that anything involving installation can be daunting. We’ve compiled this guide on buying the best in-wall speakers to help you know what to expect when installing them and what separates good in-wall speakers from bad ones. Every purchase is unique, but here are the most important things to understand before buying.

Bass Depth

Larger drivers tend to provide deeper bass. While smaller drivers can still pack a punchy low, for rumbling bass that excels for home theatre use, consider a larger driver size, typically around 8″.

Adjustable Tweeters

Tweeters that can pivot provide more refinement, allowing you to angle them toward the listener. This is especially handy in larger rooms where the listener may be positioned far from the speakers.

Frequency Response Range

A technical term you’ll come across a lot when buying in-wall speakers that refers to the frequencies the speaker can reproduce. This will be written something like: 20Hz – 20kHz. The topic of frequency response can be complex, but to keep it simple, a lower starting number and a higher ending number are typically better.

Power Handling & Amplification

One of the most important data points to consider is the power handling of an in-wall speaker, which needs to be referenced with whatever receiver you’ll be using to power them. In-wall speakers are almost always active and require a receiver to power them.

2-Way vs 3-Way Speakers

A 2-way speaker combines two driver types (woofer and tweeter or midrange and tweeter, for example). A 3-way speaker uses three distinct drivers: a woofer, midrange, and a tweeter. 3-way designs cost more but provide more refined sound as frequency bands are split between each driver.

Installing In-Wall Speakers

Don’t let the installation process be a deterrent; In-wall speakers are often easy to install with some basic DIY experience. The process involves measuring the correct cut-out area, cutting out the hole, inserting the speaker, and then running the wire through the wall to your receiver. Thankfully, in today’s age, you always have YouTube to guide you through the process. We’ve included a beginner-friendly video on installing in-wall speakers below. If you’re not comfortable installing your own, consider reaching out to one of the many home audio installation services.

Types of In-Wall Speakers & Their Role

In-wall speakers come in a few unique types. Apart from the variations in the number of drivers in the design, there are also different types of in-wall speakers for different purposes. There are three primary types of in-wall speakers:

Left & Right Channel

Left and right-channel speakers are the most popular type of in-wall speaker and are closest to a pair of traditional speakers. As the name suggests, they have a speaker for the left channel and one for the right channel. These speakers are installed on either side of your television in home theatre setups and can also be used on the sides and behind the listener. L/R speakers can sometimes be turned horizontally and double as a center channel speaker, as with the Klipsch R-5502-W II.

Left and right channel speakers are available in different sizes and types, including smaller 2-way driver configurations and more extensive 3-way options. They may also feature tweeters that can be angled in a particular direction, such as with the Polk RC85i.

Center Channel

Center channel speakers are typically mounted horizontally, and they differ from L/R speakers in their driver setup. You can often identify a center channel speaker by the woofers on either side with a center tweeter.

Center channel speakers are very versatile. They can be used with L/R speakers or on their own, making them great for small rooms without L/R speakers. When pairing a center channel speaker with L/R speakers, ensure they are timbre-matched for the best performance.

Subwoofers

Subwoofers are speakers that focus on providing a deep, low-frequency response that extends deeper than traditional speaker drivers. The need for a subwoofer will depend on your chosen LRC speakers. Some left and right channel speakers have large drivers, especially in 3-way configurations, capable of producing sufficient low-end response. However, adding a subwoofer can add new depth to most setups and, if space allows, can transform your gaming or movie-watching experience.

While you don’t need to opt for an in-wall subwoofer, a few models on the market are made to be installed in the wall for those looking for a completely in-wall setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are in-wall speakers better than traditional speakers?

In-wall speakers hold advantages and disadvantages when compared with traditional speakers. The benefit of in-wall speakers is that they offer incredibly immersive audio. They are also discreet, offering a cleaner aesthetic while saving floor space at the same time.

Can I use in-wall speakers for home theatre?

Yes, you can! Home theatre applications are where in-wall speakers excel.

What walls can in-wall speakers be installed into?

In-wall speakers can be installed in both brick and drywalling. However, the installation of brick or concrete walls is notably more difficult.

Where do in-wall speaker cables go?

The cables between your amplifier and in-wall speakers will typically be run through the wall, making the installation clean and discrete.

How can I calibrate my in-wall speakers?

There are different levels of calibration. You can do minor calibration by adjusting your frequency levels with your amplifier. You can also optimize the speaker by adjusting the tweeter in cases where the speaker offers maneuverable tweeters. Some audio professionals can also offer additional calibration tools to help you achieve peak performance from your speakers.


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Written by
Bryn De Kocks

Bryn De Kocks is the lead editor for Audiostance, as well as one of our trusted reviewers. He has more than 15 years of experience in online publication and stands firm in being transparent with both the benefits and drawbacks of the products he reviews. Outside of editorial work, Bryn has been an avid online gamer and casual digital music producer since his teenage years, bringing his understanding of audio and especially headphones to the table. His daily driver is a humble pair of Fidelio X2HRs powered by a Fiio E10K. In his spare time he enjoys nature photography.

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2 comments
    • Thanks for reaching out. The ML65i is a little more versatile than the ML66i as the ML66i is a single dedicated center-channel speaker (left and right woofer and a centered tweeter). If you’re looking for a center channel option, the ML66i is the way to go, but if you’re looking to place them as individual stereo speakers, the ML65i will be what you’re after.