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Best In-Ceiling Speakers

Updated May 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Yamaha Audio 2-Way RMS Speakers (2)
Yamaha Audio
2-Way RMS Speakers (2)
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Yamaha's high-end quality is evident in every aspect of this set, from the solid, easy-to-install unit to the exceptional sound.

Pros

Robust sound with rich bass. Magnetic grilles are well made and easy to remove or replace. Mounting system clamps and grips make installation easy and secure.

Cons

A few owners say the sound could be clearer in the high range and louder overall.

Best Bang for the Buck
PYLE Dual 6.5-inch Speaker System (2)
PYLE
Dual 6.5-inch Speaker System (2)
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Don't let the low price fool you; these in-ceiling speakers have many more satisfied customers than they do dissatisfied ones.

Pros

An inexpensive set that emits reasonable sound considering the price. Slim design fits flush to the ceiling. Easy to install.

Cons

Though the sound is clear, the bass isn't very deep. Once installed, removing or replacing the speaker grilles is extremely difficult. Grilles have flimsy plastic outer rings.

Polk Audio 2-Way 8-inch Speakers (2)
Polk Audio
2-Way 8-inch Speakers (2)
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For Bass Lovers
Bottom Line

A popular brand known for quality speaker build and good acoustics. A particularly good choice for bass lovers.

Pros

Straightforward installation thanks to easy-to-follow template. Delivers deep low-range acoustics that have been compared to theater sound. Solid construction.

Cons

Pricey. High-range sounds are a bit lacking in clarity. Grilles are hard to remove.

Klipsch In-Ceiling Speaker
Klipsch
In-Ceiling Speaker
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

For consumers who don't need a pair of speakers, this one is a reasonable choice.

Pros

A basic, single in-ceiling speaker with well-made components. Easy to install with reasonable mid-range acoustics.

Cons

Low-range sounds aren't as notable as mid-range sounds, and the highs lack clarity. You only get one for the price, which puts it in the higher price range.

Micca 6.5-inch 2-Way Speaker
Micca
6.5-inch 2-Way Speaker
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Easy Setup
Bottom Line

This single speaker earns a spot on our shortlist because it's easy to install.

Pros

A budget-friendly single speaker with good sound quality. It's surprisingly balanced from low to high considering the price. Easy to install.

Cons

Grille is nearly impossible to remove after installed in the ceiling. Some reports of faulty speakers upon arrival.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

36
Models
Considered
170
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best in-ceiling speakers

In-ceiling speakers are the way to go for the audiophile who wants great sound without having big, boxy speakers taking up floor space in the home or office. With the speakers mounted flush with the ceiling, most people won’t even notice them, and the sound will seem to come out of thin air and surround you. The surround sound quality of in-ceiling speakers can enhance any movie, too, giving you that immersive “you are there” feeling as you watch.

Size, tweeters, woofers—there are several factors to consider as you shop. You’ll also have to do some work installing in-ceiling speakers and running wires from the speakers to your stereo or home theater system, but the effort will be worth it. For a quality installation, you can pay a contractor to install them for you.

No matter which route you decide on, you still have to get the speakers first. Keep reading and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the best decision. Check out our favorites, too.

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Speakers usually have an impedance rating, typically around 8 ohms, that must match the receiver.

Key considerations

Size

In-ceiling speakers generally come in two sizes: 6.5 inches and 8 inches (the surrounding case will be bigger, though). For instance, one set of 8-inch speakers measures 10 7/8 x 4 1/4 inches. Keep that in mind when you’re deciding where you’re going to install them.

Type

Tweeter: A tweeter is a small speaker that’s specially designed to reproduce higher-pitched tones (higher frequencies). Tweeters take it one step further by dispersing high-frequency sounds, so the entire room hears them correctly. High-frequency sounds are very directional, and without a tweeter you may not hear them if you’re not sitting in the right place.

Woofer: This is the most common speaker, producing a wide range of frequencies including most musical instruments, human voices, and sound effects. However, it may not be able to reproduce very high or very low frequencies.

Subwoofer: This is the big daddy that puts out the low-frequency sounds required by home theater systems, such as explosions or rumbling earthquakes. These speakers require some extra work to install, so it’s recommended that you hire a contractor if you get subwoofers.

Uses

Music: Woofers will be more than adequate for the vast majority of music most people listen to these days. If you’re not “most people” you may want to upgrade to a larger speaker set. It will cost more, but the sound quality will be worth it.

Home theater: As mentioned, the requirements for a home theater system are more involved than what most people need.

In-ceiling speaker features

Color

Most in-ceiling speakers are white or off-white. Many have grilles that can be painted to match your ceiling. Make sure you know which one you’re buying before you try to paint them, or you could wind up muffling the sound coming out of your speakers.

Indoor/outdoor

Indoor speakers don’t require any special gaskets to keep moisture out. Outdoor speakers, on the other hand, must have rubber gaskets and seals to prevent humidity and moisture from seeping in and damaging the circuitry. If you’re going to put in-ceiling speakers in your patio roof, make sure they’re outdoor speakers.

Frequency

Each manufacturer will list a range of frequencies for its speakers: 65 hertz to 22 kilohertz is the most common, but a slightly better range is 50 hertz to 28 kilohertz. This gives you more of the high-frequency directed sound as well as better output for special effects and deep bass tones. The wider the range the speaker can reproduce, the better the sound will be.

"If you paint the grilles on your speakers, first remove the fabric behind the grilles. Use spray paint to lightly and quickly spray the front. Let it dry before spraying on another coat. "
STAFF
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Accessories

Speaker wire: You can’t have speakers without the wires to connect them to your stereo. If your speakers are mounted in the ceiling, you’ll need 50 to 100 feet of speaker wire. It’s better to have too much than not enough. AmazonBasics has a 100-foot spool of wire cable that is popular with consumers - and quite affordable.

Speaker in-ceiling brackets: Most in-ceiling speakers don’t come with brackets, so you’ll need to purchase them separately. We recommend getting an extra package when you do. If you make a mistake during the installation, you’ll be glad you don’t have to reorder. Monoprice sells an admirable installation kit that includes two brackets for eight-inch speakers.

Speaker wall brackets: On-ceiling speakers can be mounted in or on the wall. If you mount them on the wall, you’ll need some wall brackets, which are inexpensive and easy to install. VideoSecu’s bookshelf speaker mounting brackets, made of strong steel, are well-received by owners.

In-ceiling speaker prices

Inexpensive: At the low end of the price range, you can buy a pair of 6.5-inch speakers for $45 to $70. Occasionally, you’ll see a price of around $40, but closer inspection will show you that the price is for a single speaker (6.5 or 8 inches). You need to be aware of such merchandising tricks.

Mid-range: Spend between $70 and $120 and you can find high-quality, 8-inch speakers, some with paintable grilles.

Expensive: In the $130 and up range is where you’ll find indoor/outdoor speakers with extra gaskets and seals to keep out moisture, as well as expensive speakers with superior quality in both workmanship and sound reproduction.

Tips

  • Space out the speakers evenly. In-ceiling speakers should be evenly spaced around the room. Don’t bunch them together at one end unless you’re using them for your television.
  • Match the number of speakers to the size of the room. If your room is larger than 225 square feet, get two pairs of in-ceiling speakers, and space them evenly around the room. In large halls and meeting rooms, put one speaker every 15 feet. Try to match the speakers with the existing pattern of the ceiling lights for best results.
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Comparing 6.5-inch and 8-inch speakers, the 8-inch ones will always have a deeper, richer sound. The bigger speakers are worth the extra cost, and installation is nearly identical regardless of size.

FAQ

Q. Can all speaker grilles be repainted to match the color of my ceiling?
A.
Yes. Some specifically mention that fact, but most of them can be painted as long as you’re careful not to let the paint clog the holes in the grill, which would muffle the sound.

Q. What speaker wire should I use?
A.
Each city has its own building codes, so you should check with your municipality to be sure, but CL2 or CL3 rated wires should be sufficient.

Q. How far apart should the speakers be installed on either side of my television?
A.
The exact distance isn’t as important as making sure the speakers are equally spaced on either side of it.