Wall vs. Ceiling Speakers for Surround Sound

Speakers on the floor or around the television can be unsightly. Cords run in every direction, and the back of the speakers can look like a rat's nest. Many homeowners have solved the cord mess by mounting speakers in the wall or ceiling. This attractive mounting method puts speakers and cords out of eyesight.

Size and Shape

Wall speakers tend to be square or rectangular because of aesthetic reasons. A large rectangular box on the ceiling isn't as good looking as one in the wall. Either way, the speaker sits flush with the wall or ceiling, making it invisible. Ceiling speakers tend to be rounded to help push sound downward into the room. Both types of speaker grills can be professionally painted to match the color of the room.

Sound

Wall speakers and ceiling speakers have the same sound advantages. They both use a large cavity to resonate the sound. With both wall and ceiling speakers, listeners will get deep bass resonation. The loudest speaker in the set up will be the subwoofer. Because of its size and weight, it should not be mounted in the wall or ceiling.

Installation

Before installing wall or ceiling speakers, check for any obstructions. Wires and studs run behind walls making it difficult to achieve solid installation. Ceilings may also contain wires and studs. Check areas with a stud finder before beginning installation. Measure the speakers carefully before installation. Large holes in the wall may be easier to conceal than a large hole in the ceiling. If you are in an apartment, installing speakers in walls may cause the neighbor’s wall to resonate fiercely with noise.