(Edit: Another model to consider that may also be of interest to you is the Klipsch RP-5000F which is a great alternative to the ones talked about in this review.
I bring this up because due to it’s age, actual availability of the older RP-4000F might be variable; but the newer Klipsch RP-5000F II is not only just as good as its predecessor in my opinion, it’s almost arguably better then the originally reviewed speakers.
Most of the positives mentioned hold true with this one as well, almost acting as the spiritual successor to these speakers.
Long story short, the positives of the older model listed in the review carry over with additional awesome features making it just as great of a pair of floorstanding speakers to have)
Whether it be for movies or even just stereo, a good floorstanding speaker can make all the difference when it comes to getting a truly thrilling entertainment experience, no doubt about it.
The major benefit with them, and one reason they’re so often sought after, is the fact that they can usually be used without the need for a subwoofer since they’re typically capable of getting nearly as low when it comes to bass.
So today we have the Klipsch RP-4000F review, a tower speaker that actually performs just as good as it looks.
So without wasting any time, let’s get right to it.
I find the appearance of this speaker interesting mainly because there’s a lot more to it than what initially meets the eye.
At a quick first glance, it’s easy to say it’s a nice looking speaker, what with its black wood-grained finish and metallic Klipsch logo placed toward the bottom of the speaker grille.
However removing that same grille changes the look entirely. Once removed, what you’ll immediately notice is 2 absolutely beautiful copper woofers that catch light in a way that’s hard to describe. But they look absolutely amazing.
Above that is the horn-loaded tweeter that also looks pretty cool. But the appearance of this speaker is one that you’ll not only appreciate, but will also look good in pretty much any room, aesthetic wise.
If you want a more subdued look you can of course keep the grille on. But if you want to display it in all its glory, then leaving it off is the way to go in my opinion.
Overall though, it’s a gorgeous speaker and fits well in most settings provided you have adequate space to place them.
Specs & Features
In terms of size, it comes in at about 34 inches tall and 8 inches wide, so certainly not the largest. But size isn’t everything, and given the specific features it touts, it’s pretty apparent why.
First off, these speakers feature a unique feature that Klipsch calls their new vented tweeter design.
This design allows the tweeter to reduce standing waves behind it, thus allowing it to produce the higher frequencies at a higher fidelity.
This basically means you get the benefit of a clearer sound without any distortion that might muddy the sound.
This benefit is further augmented by the fact that the vented tweeter is coupled with their renowned tractrix horn that provides a much more precise and accurate experience.
When taking a look at the dual copper woofers on each speaker, they happen to be placed in a stamped steel basket attached to a magnet motor which quite frankly, is pretty awesome.
Basically what that means is that it allows the woofers on the speakers to go much lower without a lot of distortion even at high volumes; so what you end up getting is a much cleaner sound as a result.
Baskets are the frame or base that the speaker drivers sit in and the better the material, the better the speaker should perform overall — so the fact that it’s actually made of steel shows that quality is taken seriously here.
They’re also connected to a dual-layer, copper wound voice coil that has the added benefit of increased connectivity.
The reason why that’s important is that it gives the speaker a much higher sensitivity as a result.
Sensitivity is a measure of the ability of a speaker to convert power to sound when given a certain amount of power.
A higher sensitivity basically means the speaker is much easier to power, and this can especially come in handy if you don’t happen to have a powerful receiver.
Any sensitivity over 90 is great and the fact that its sensitivity is 95 means that it’ll be extremely easy to power.
There’s also a compressed molded silicon face attached to the Tractrix horn which basically has the added benefit of reducing resonance, which can often times add unwanted sound and distort things.
Distortion is further minimized by way of the Tractrix port on the back as well.
These speakers also have dual binding posts for bi-wire/bi-amp capability should you choose to do so.
In terms of the sizes of everything, the tweeter comes in at 1 inch while the dual woofers on each are both 4 inches.
The speakers themselves measure 7.4 x 12 x 34.1 inches and weigh 28.9 pounds.
Setup
Setting these up is pretty standard, given the fact that you do so just like most other speakers. As long as you have speaker wire, a wire stripper, scissors, and optional pin plugs/banana plugs, you’ll have them up and running in no time. I did a guide on proper setup if you need help with doing that so feel free to check that out as well.
So here’s one of the most important questions, how does the RP-4000F actually sound?
I would have to say surprisingly well rounded and balanced.
The reason being is that, while yes they sound extremely clear, (understatement) with articulate highs and really smooth mids, it’s the low end that surprised me the most.
The bass that these things can produce is certainly nothing short of incredible.
I mean to even be talking about a speaker capable of producing bass is amazing enough in and of itself, but to be able to do that well is something entirely different — and it’s certainly something that the RP-4000F is quite capable of.
Maybe it has to do with its size.
Or perhaps it’s due to the fact it can go down to 37Hz which is quite impressive for a speaker.
Whatever the case, my favorite thing about this speaker has to be its capability of handling the low end, especially when it comes to music.
Things just sounded punchy and crisp, and even when turned up high, there wasn’t an iota of distortion anywhere to be found.
Everything was just pristine and made music listening quite the experience.
Now don’t get me wrong, while I do love how they handle bass, in most instances I’d still prefer to use them the traditional way — meaning letting the tower speakers handle the higher frequencies while using a subwoofer for the lower frequency sounds just to get that extra little bit of impact and extension.
It’s definitely not necessary, especially if your primary use with these will be music, but with movies, I’d still personally use them with a sub.
But even if you don’t, they’ll still perform adequately with movies. I know I’ve mentioned how great the bass is, what also stood out to me was the sheer level of clarity that these speakers in particular produced.
Movie after movie, it was the same experience — a level of detail that really makes you question whether or not it’s the speaker making that sound.
It really is that lifelike.
It actually reminds me of the smaller Klipsch R-41M in that regard honestly due to how clear everything sounded.
There was more than a few instances where I actually had to do a double take because I really couldn’t tell whether or not if it was film I was watching.
That to me is the epitome of an immersive experience and the fact that these were able to provide just that is incredible.
That means all of your content, be it music, video games, etc will sound incredible, and if you happen to be coming from TV speakers, the difference from that will be even more stark.
Likes
Great sound quality
Has an appreciable amount of bass
Beautiful copper drivers
Vented tweeter provides extremely detailed sound
Gets loud without distortion
Can be biwired
Dislikes
Heavy at 28.9 pounds
Final Thoughts
Well, that about does it for this one. Hopefully this gave you some insights as to why I personally feel the Klipsch RP-4000F is a quality speaker, and how it fares overall when it comes to different scenarios like movies and music.
It manages to do both admirably and even holds its own when it comes to bass. Certainly impressive.
Remember if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Until next time though, make it easy, keep it simple.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
I know I’ve probably made mention of this before, but the one thing that truly makes home theater special is just how fast it progresses.
I mean think about it, it was just a few short years ago where we were talking about how far off the idea of 4K seemed, and now look at it; it’s practically everywhere!
Now we’re already seeing the release of things like HDR, Micro Led, and hey, even 8K!
It’s absolutely mindblowing to think about. And as per tradition, there’s now a new technology that’s promising just as much innovation called IMAX Enhanced.
But what exactly is this new technology, how do you get it, and most importantly, is IMAX Enhanced actually worth it?
Well to put it simply, IMAX Enhanced is a relatively new audio/video certification & licensing program, jointly developed by the audio company DTS and the IMAX brand itself — that promises substantial increases in both visual clarity and sound quality for the content and products that support it.
Its main goal is to essentially provide you with that authentic IMAX experience in the comfort of your own home. This is through means of both IMAX’s renowned picture quality, and their signature grandiose sound.
So whenever you see something that says that it’s IMAX enhanced; be it a receiver, new TV, or whatever the case, that basically means that it fully supports this new beneficial technology.
Why Was IMAX Enhanced Created?
But you might be wondering, well if display and sound technology was already so good with the likes of 4K and DTS:X being a thing, why the need for a new one?
The answer to that is honestly pretty multifaceted, so lets start with the visual side of things first.
As you’re probably already aware, IMAX is one of the leading brands when it comes to the theater experience, no questions about it.
If you’ve ever had the chance to go to one, you’ll notice how much of a step up the entire experience actually is; not just in sound quality, but in terms of the actual fidelity of the picture as well.
That has to do with the fact that their content is shot using a specialized 15/70 mm film that’s approximately 10 times bigger than the average 35 mm film used in traditional movie theaters. How Imax Works
This is then further helped along by their proprietary DMR (Digital Media Remastering) technology that utilizes special algorithms to clean up the image even more, resulting in the incredible picture that we ultimately end up seeing.
However the problem, and partially the reason why this enhanced format was even invented in the first place, actually has to do with 4K and HDR.
In post production, when AV engineers are tasked with formatting the content from a movie theater to our home screens come time for a general release, often times there can be small imperfections or blemishes in the resulting content due to constraints in consumer display technology.
This then necessitates the need for compromises to be made in order for it to actually be viewable in a home setting. These compromises can be anything ranging from film grain to the cropping of large portions of the image.
Little fun fact, this is actually the reason that some movies have those black bars at the top and bottom. They’re called letterboxes, and come as a result of movie makers filming in a much higher aspect ratio, usually 1.85:1 to 2.39:1, and having to format for smaller screens which typically have an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3.
But until now, these imperfections were never really noticed because the resolution that consumers viewed the content in made them nearly invisible to the naked eye.
But because of the sheer clarity offered by 4K and now even 8K, every little flaw and defect of the filmmaking process has also been made visible as a result. This coupled with the fact that current HDR can look far different than what the filmmaker intended, due to differences in mixing, meant that something had to change if we were to get the purest and most consistent image quality.
However things didn’t just stop there.
Over on the sound side of things, improvements existed there that could also be made — and after careful consideration, IMAX and DTS decided to partner in order to create a platform that would instantly let consumers know that what they were getting was the best of the best simply by stating that that particular piece of equipment or content was IMAX Enhanced.
DTS is the other player in that dynamic duo that certainly helped to make these improvements possible; in large part due to their decades of experience. By utilizing DTS’S proprietary DTS:X codec, IMAX was able to refine this tech even further.
For every single movie that’s released in one of their theaters, IMAX actually works closely with the filmmakers to create their very own mix for their lauded point source surround sound (which is basically another way of saying it’s extremely accurate in recreating the precise directions sounds come from without a lot of the reflecting or reverberations that typically occur)
But since the typical home theater isn’t nearly as specialized as one of these theaters, these near-field (meaning condensed) sound mixes that were released for the same movies ended up leaving a lot to be desired.
Acknowledging this, DTS and IMAX worked in collaboration to create a sound mix that was specifically designed for use in a home setting that wouldn’t lose that same dynamism present in theaters. Their goal was to create a format that could get as close to this experience as possible without having to nerf anything on either the audio or visual side.
This unprecedented effort to combine both impeccable sound, with an exceptional picture quality, resulted in something truly special – and on September 4th 2018, after meticulous research and development, it was officially announced.
So in short, it was created because of the existing inadequacies in current display & sound technologies, and as a way for consumers to quickly tell what content and hardware is top of the line from a distinct certification on the packaging and/or product
What Are The Actual Benefits That IMAX Enhanced Offers?
So what are the exact tangible benefits that you can expect from IMAX Enhanced content over the stuff that’s already available?
Well what you get is…
A Much Cleaner Looking Image Quality & Improved 4K
As I mentioned earlier, the current problem with 4K in particular is that its clarity advantage can be somewhat of a give and take; in that it can potentially augment any of the imperfections that might exist in a film.
If there’s even an iota of visual errors present anywhere on the screen, there’s a good chance that they’ll show — mainly because there’s a lot more pixels now overall.
What’s really cool about this enhanced format is that it utilizes IMAX’S Digital Media Remastering (DMR) technique to remove any additional film grain or noise that tends to distort the image; meaning what you get is a much cleaner looking visual presentation that’s leagues better than what was possible before.
So really in layman’s terms, what you’ll immediately notice is that image has a lot more clarity and pops a lot more.
A More Accurate & Vibrant HDR Presentation
Another huge benefit that you’ll immediately notice is a much better HDR presentation.
High dynamic range is something that manufacturers thus far have struggled to agree on; which is really easy to see when you consider the fact that there’s multiple different versions of the same principal concept (Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR 10+, etc.)
HDR basically allows for you to see all the details in both bright and dark content at the same time, similar to how the human eye would actually see the image. This results in a much improved picture over the commonly used standard dynamic range.
When done right it can be absolutely mindblowing, but with so many different ways to implement it, that experience can change dramatically from each piece of content.
This coupled with the fact that different mixing processes can end up entirely changing the intended vision of the director means that even if what you’re seeing is HDR, it might not even be accurate to what the filmmaker originally wanted you to see.
IMAX Enhanced ends that issue.
Not only do you get a much brighter and vibrant HDR, but you actually get to see things exactly the way that the filmmaker intended.
Increased Sound Quality
It’s not just a visual boost that you’re getting with this, but an increase in sound clarity as well.
By further improving upon the already impressive DTS:X, they’ve managed create a custom and entirely new sound mix that’s able to provide the exact IMAX experience you’d get in a theater, all in the comfort of your own living room.
That means increases in clarity, soundstage, directionality, and immersion across the board.
Deeper & More Impactful Bass
If you’re like me and you love a good bass, then you can rejoice as a much deeper and more impactful bass is offered here as well.
It’s not just a mere increase in the volume of the bass though, but an actual tangible increase in low end fidelity — allowing movies to sound even more impressive as the action unfolds on screen.
It’ll be the kind of bass you feel and not just hear.
A Much Bigger Aspect Ratio
Interestingly enough, even the way that the picture is actually presented receives a dramatic increase.
Remember earlier, when I talked about movies being shot in a 1.85:1 to 2.39:1 aspect ratio and being cropped from there to fit our televisions at home?
Well that’s a thing of the past with the Enhanced format.
Instead, when the content is shot using specialized IMAX cameras and utilize this new technology, the same 1.89:1 aspect ratio that IMAX theaters use is shown.
That means no more cropping out of details, and most importantly, no compromises!
So not only is the quality of the picture better, but you actually get to see more of that picture, with additional details that might have otherwise been lost offscreen.
Oh yeah, and that also means no more letterboxes (the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen) so there’s that too.
What Makes Something IMAX Enhanced?
I kind of touched on this in the previous section, but in order for a device or piece of content to officially support this new format, it has to meet a strict set of guidelines set forth by not only DTS & IMAX, but the filmmakers themselves.
More specifically, they’re required to meet a certain criteria of the highest standard in a number of different categories including brightness, resolution, contrast, color accuracy, sound quality, and the viewing mode.
Only then does it gain the distinction of becoming officially certified.
How Do You Get IMAX Enhanced Content?
So that sounds good and all, but how can you actually get it?
Well considering it’s such a new standard, the answer to that question kind of changes pretty often.
But as of right now, there are a few number devices, as well as streaming services and movies that currently support it that’ll let you enjoy all of the benefits of this new format.
So to answer the question, you get it by having the certified hardware (the TV & the receiver) along with the content that’s actually Enhanced.
Okay, So What Streaming Services Currently Support It?
As of right now there’s really only a few that support it currently, but this is almost certain to change; especially as time goes on.
As of September 2019 in the United States, FandangoNow had begun streaming its content with the new format in mind. This was followed by Rakuten TV announcing its support in the European markets, Tencent Video offering content in China, and Tsutaya making it available in Japan as of November 1st of 2019.
So for now, those are really the major 4 that offer it — but keep an eye out since the list of those on board will likely continue to grow.
What Content Is Currently Available For IMAX Enhanced?
But what about the actual content, what can you watch as of right now?
The list of available content is definitely growing, but as of right now and just to name a few — Angry Birds 2, Terminator Dark Fate, Spider Man Far From Home, and Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle are among the list of included titles.
From there more would be released as time went on.
In fact, on May 4th, 2020, IMAX, in conjunction with DTS & Sony Pictures Entertainment, announced that over the next two years, hundreds of new titles would be released under this new format with at least 100 coming in those next 12 months from that point.
Evidence of this format gaining in popularity came when in late 2021, Marvel Studios announced that 13 of their movies would be getting an Imax Enhanced version complete with the improved aspect ratio you’d expect from the format which was awesome.
In January 4th, 2023, IMAX announced that they would be adding their specific sound to the streaming service Disney+ for Marvel movies and their other content.
Based on that alone, it can definitely be said that this is a format that’s certainly growing in mindshare and interest.
It’s expected that amount of supported content will increase as additional TVs and devices become available so that’s something to keep in mind.
Hopefully this comes to fruition because if so, that would be a significant development and would solidify commitment to expansion of the platform — potentially attracting others to get on board as well.
Only time will tell how this ultimately pans out, but I’m certainly hopeful that this is at least the beginning of that.
Is It Available Everywhere?
Unfortunately as of my writing this, the Enhanced format is only available in the US, China, Europe, and Japan currently. But again, and as I keep reiterating, support for more areas will inevitably increase as adoption becomes more mainstream.
So if it’s not available yet wherever you are, there’s a possibility that it will be in the future.
Can Any TV Play IMAX Enhanced Content?
Alright so what about the televisions that you have now, are they able to play this sort of content?
Unfortunately if it’s an older model that was made before September of 2018 then no it can’t, but the cool thing is that even if you were to play IMAX enhanced content on a TV that didn’t support it, it’d still play it – but just in regular 4K with HDR (which is still pretty sweet)
As of right now, TCL, as well as the Sony Bravia, & the Sony Master lines of televisions are really the only ones that utilize this format, at least for right now.
But if you just so happen to own one of the previously mentioned Sony televisions or are planning to, then you’re also able to download the Privilege 4K Movies app which is also able to stream Enhanced content.
Like I said before though, as the year progresses, we’re likely to see even more television lines as well as brands tout this format.
So if your favorite brand of TVs don’t support it at the moment, there’s a good chance that down the line, some will release that do. This also goes for projectors.
In fact, Sony recently came out with a number of high end projectors which can also playback this content; so suffice to say there really is something for everybody.
Electronic maker TCL also announced its new X915 TV at CES 2020 that was purported to have full support for IMAX Enhanced. It was available in India as of June 18, 2020.
Are Special Speakers Required For IMAX Enhanced?
When it comes to the type of speakers necessary, it’s a little hard to say definitively since IMAX hasn’t outright stated what the exact criteria is for a speaker to be able to optimally play its Enhanced content just yet.
Though if you have powerful enough speakers, there’s a good chance you just might be able to use what you have already.
Now this is just speculation on my part, but if their previous recommendations for speakers when it comes to optimal playback of DTS:X is anything to go by, then it might look a little something like a requirement of the subwoofer needing to be able to go down to at least 20 Hz, and the speakers needing to have a sensitivity of at least 87.
I’d also imagine they’d need the capability of going really loud, but how loud exactly remains to be seen. I’d venture to guess that it’ll probably be somewhat similar to DTS:X in that regard too – meaning they should be able to reach a sound pressure level of about 85 -110 decibels when placed 9 feet away.
For subwoofers, the average should be 115db.
What we do know for sure however, is the recommended placement for your speakers. According to IMAX, the minimum requirement for proper payback of its new format is 7.2.4 surround sound.
That basically means a front left & right speaker, center channel, a pair of side & rear surround speakers, 2 subwoofers, and 4 height or ceiling speakers.
If you didn’t use the recommended amount of speakers, and you decided to use less, then you wouldn’t be able to take full advantage of the Enhanced content, and you’d only be able to use DTS:X (which is still really incredible if you haven’t tried it)
5.1.4 surround sound is required for proper playback for DTS:X.
What’s pretty awesome though is that even if you decided to use less speakers than that, it would still be able to play that content by replicating those missing speakers through a spatial remapping engine — essentially giving you virtual surround by utilizing the ones you do have.
What Receivers Support it?
There’s actually quite a number of receivers that now support this, either natively or through a firmware updates. Arcam, Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, & Onkyo are all manufacturers that currently have receivers that take advantage of this.
These receivers also get an optimized version of DTS:X along with a dedicated IMAX Mode that plays when it senses the specialized cotent.
I can only imagine that as time goes on and it eventually becomes more mainstream, that this feature will be available in many more receivers than what exist currently — perhaps even becoming the new standard at some point.
How Many Companies Are On Board With IMAX Enhanced As Of Right Now?
The good news is that this format already has some steam, as a sizable number of well known brands are completely on board with this new format. Sony Electronics, Sony Pictures, and Paramount Pictures were the very first companies to announce their partnership with the new license.
Many others soon followed, and now include the likes of Arcam, Denon, FandangoNow, Rakuten TV, Tencent Video, Tsutaya, Marantz, Sound United, Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer, Elite, Lexicon, TCL, Anthem, StormAudio, Trinnov, and Integra.
Even Marvel as of late are supporters of this new initiative.
Is IMAX Enhanced Or Dolby Vision Better?
Here’s a really interesting question that you might be wondering, is IMAX Enhanced better than Dolby Vision? Theoretically, but to explain why would require an understanding of both technologies.
Starting with Dolby, Dolby Vision is a proprietary HDR format that differentiates itself by being much more accurate than standard HDR10.
Where HDR 10 adjusts the picture on a scene by scene basis, Dolby Vision takes this a step further by adjusting the image on a frame by frame basis.
This actually is what’s considered dynamic high dynamic range, since it’s able to adjust the metadata on the fly for the most optimal image — whereas HDR 10 is simply static in its ability. This gives it the ability to create much more lifelike and compelling images.
HDR 10 supports a maximum peak brightness of about 1000 nits, and Dolby Vision ramps this up to an incredible 10,000 nits — meaning it literally has the ability to get 10 times brighter which is insane.
But to take things even further, HDR 10 is a 10 bit format while Dolby Vision adds an additional 2, making it the world’s first, widely used 12 bit standard.
The implications of that are massive.
10 bit color can display 1024 different shades for each primary color, allowing it to ultimately create up to a billion different colors on screen.
12 bit on the other hand can display 4096 different shades, which results in a unprecedented 68 billion colors!
That’s over 68 times more.
Talk about a lot.
However not to be outdone, IMAX Enhanced improves upon even this.
While they both have approximately the same capabilities in terms of color reproduction and brightness, the Enhanced format gains the advantage due to its ability to reduce digital film grain & noise; producing an even cleaner image as a result.
But what’s particularly interesting is that they can actually be included on the same disc; meaning a movie can actually support both IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Vision.
So if you have a television that’s capable of displaying IMAX content, then it’ll default to that. Otherwise the display falls back to Dolby Vision if support for the other isn’t there.
The thing I personally find pretty humorous as a side note, is that if you really think about it, it’s technically another low key next gen rivalry between DTS and Dolby since they both have a new format competing — but for visual accolades this time.
Again I personally think they’re both fantastic, I just thought that was something interesting to note. I mean we we all know they have a storied history ranging from Atmos/DTS:X to their 5.1 sound formats so I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before we saw something new yet again.
But hey, that just breeds innovation, and that’s always a plus.
What Future Content Is Planned For IMAX Enhanced?
With so many partners and brands already on board, with more surely to come, that of course means we’ll be seeing a bunch more content in the nearby future.
For example on release, movies like Jumanji: The Next Level, and A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks supported the format natively.
Others confirmed included the new James Bond movie as well as Tenet by Christopher Nolan.
Sony Pictures recently further reaffirmed their commitment to IMAX Enhanced by stating that they plan on supporting the format on hundreds of future titles.
On the electronics side of things, TCL and Sony have new televisions planned that’ll include it, while companies like AudioControl, Denon, and a bunch of others are expected to have new releases too.
Is IMAX Enhanced Worth The Upgrade?
So here’s the real question we’ve all been waiting for, is IMAX Enhanced really worth it?
In short, absolutely.
Not only is it a monumental upgrade in every way possible, but it’s an authentic, 1:1 recreation of the exact exhilarating experience you’d get from an actual IMAX cinema.
Due to the fact that one of technology’s main merits is that it’s able to remove any of the inconsistencies that can exist in the filming process, what you end up with is a much cleaner and smoother looking image as a whole.
This even applies to 4K and 8K content, so you actually end up getting a better version of those too.
HDR gets a massive boost too since the image not only gets much brighter, but it’s much more accurate than what was possible before — meaning you actually get to see things exactly the way the filmmaker intended.
Colors are also much more vibrant too, and pop in a way that’s almost hard to describe.
It looks absolutely next level though, it’s incredible.
But it’s not just the visual side of things that receive an extraordinary level of improvement; you’re also getting the benefit of a much more articulate and rich surround sound experience that provides a level of lifelike immersion that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
It might sound like hyperbole, but you really do notice a massive difference in sound clarity, to the point where it really feels like you’re in the movie.
Soundtracks and musical scores are grandiose, and the bass is so much deeper and more impactful. Plus you even get to see more details on screen due to the larger aspect ratio.
It’s the absolute apex of home theater innovation, and I love it.
Even talking to other people I know who have had the chance to experience it note how much more thrilling movies are that use it.
This unprecedented combination of exceptional picture quality, merged with unparalleled surround sound from
2 absolute juggernauts in the industry results in an experience that’s absolutely transcendent.
There really is nothing like it.
Final Thoughts
Well folks, that about wraps it up for this one. In summation, yes IMAX Enhanced is certainly worth it in my opinion as you get color, display, and even sound improvements all across the board.
No stone is left unturned so to speak, as they’ve managed to improve every aspect of the home entertainment experience to the point where it’s almost hard to see where things go from here.
That’s the real question though I feel, where do things go from here?
So much has been improved that I’m not entirely sure what’s next — well besides 12K, because we both know that’s going to eventually be a thing at some point…
But honestly, I’m just happy to see such a high degree of constant innovation because ultimately, we’re the ones that win in the end.
But I’m also curious what you think, what do you think is coming next? Have you had the chance to try any IMAX Enhanced content? If so, what were your first impressions?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below since I’d genuinely love to hear your opinions.
Until next time peeps, make it easy, keep it simple.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
Sony SS-CS5 Review: 3 Way Speakers With Great Clarity
The Sony SS-CS5s are great 3 way bookshelf speakers that deliver excellent sound quality. At 9.92lbs, sufficient space for them is important. Their unique tweeter and super tweeter combo helps add extra clarity, while their 5.12 inch woofer allows more versatility in the lower end for a deeper bass response.
3 Way Design Provides Improved Versatility With Audio Output
One of the most notable features is its3 way design
Instead of the 2 way design that a lot of speakers use, (a single driver & single tweeter configuration) a 3 way design adds an additional driver for further clarity and spatial imaging.
3 way speakers tend to have greater control over their frequency ranges due to each driver being optimized to work within a specific range, and thus, can sometimes sound better than their 2 way counterparts.
A Wide Dispersing Super Variant Tweeter That Enhances Clarity
3 way speakers often add an additional driver, but what makes this one special in my opinion, is the fact that Sony opted to add an additional tweeter to the design instead.
This super tweeter as it’s called, is responsible for handling the the extremely high sound ranges; well over 20kHz and up to 50kHz — to provide a much higher fidelity of sound.
Large 5.12 Inch Woofer That Improves Low End Frequencies
Then what’s also unusual is that for the included 5.12 inch bass reflex woofer, Sony also decided to make it a foamed-Mica Reinforced Cellular variant (abbreviated to MRC)
This material isn’t as common in smaller speakers since their woofer cones are often made of either paper, or some kind of plastic.
It’s more common with bigger speakers & subwoofers due to its great tensile strength while remaining light weight.
So with an MRC woofer, the SSCS5 can deliver a much cleaner and distortion free sound, even at much higher volumes.
In addition, an MRC woofer also gives the speaker more versatility in the lower range too, providing for a much deeper bass response.
Specialized Port That Helps Further Improve Clarity
Further augmenting clarity is the port over on the back of the speaker’s bass reflex enclosure.
This bass reflex enclosure with a back port helps further eliminate chuffing or unwanted noise.
What can sometimes happen with some compact speakers is the additional stress on the tweeters at higher volumes can result in more distortion with a muddied sound.
Sony took this into account, and built a specialized port into the design as to mitigate this issue..
.98 Inch Soft Dome Tweeter For Better High End Sounds
As for the normal tweeter, it’s a .98 inch polyester soft dome variant that uses sound absorbing felt to eliminate rear sound pressure, ensuring that things are as clear as possible.
Proprietary High Resolution Audio Codec For Better Quality Sound
Then there’s also Sony’s own proprietary audio codec which offers support for high resolution audio by improving bitrate accuracy as well as frequency of the audio sample.
This gives your content an entirely different level of immersion and realism.
With all of those features, surely the SSCS5 speakers have to sound great right?
Well you’d be correct.
These things sounded absolutely fantastic — more so than I was expecting to be honest.
I’m not sure if it’s the extra tweeter, or the support for high resolution and lossless audio, but these speakers seemed to perform better than a lot speakers I’ve actually I’ve tried which is surprising.
Details were clear and crisp, but not too sibilant to the point where you’d get ear fatigue after an hour or two.
Everything just sounded right.
I was honestly expecting these to lean more on the treble side of things, but really I’d say they’re actually pretty neutral in terms of sound signature, at least from what I’ve noticed.
Frequencies in the 120-130Hz and 1kHz range do seem to be just slightly emphasized over the higher and lower frequencies respectively when graphed, but not really enough to even be noticeable.
So for those of you out there who are into sound mixing — whether it’s professionally or as a hobby, this might be an attractive reason to go with these to due to their pretty neutral sound signature.
They Responded Well To Equalization
This aural versatility also translates elsewhere because something else worth mentioning is just how well these speakers respond to equalization.
Whether used in conjunction with a PC or a standard AV receiver, using even a basic EQ with these speakers made them come alive in a way that really showed what they were capable of.
It really accentuates the SSCS5’s neutral audio signature too because even cranking any one frequency range doesn’t cause the entire audio profile to become overbearing.
It just sounds amazing and balanced.
Should you actually prefer a warmer sound signature instead, something like the Edifier P17 or Yamaha NS-6490 might be better suited.
They Performed Really Well With My Content
But to be fair, everything I tried with these speakers — be it movies, video games, you name it, just sounded crystal clear and realistic.
Music especially; I don’t think it can be stated enough how good music sounds with these.
To my ears, they sounded pretty incredible.
With a lossless media source, (Tidal & Spotify for example) music sounded really impressive.
Now I suppose it could be argued that human hearing doesn’t exceed 20 kHz so a second tweeter that targets that wouldn’t necessarily do as much, but ehh..I don’t know.
I feel like there’s something to it because I was noticing new sounds that I hadn’t heard before.
Not saying I have supersonic hearing or anything (I wish) but there was a new sense of depth to the content that was really immersive.
I will say though that while the CS5 does go down to 53 Hz, I wouldn’t say that the bass is low enough that you’d want to forgo a subwoofer all together.
For stereo applications they’re more than adequate, but if you’re planning on running these in a home theater then I’d still stick with a dedicated subwoofer.
Still, for a bookshelf speaker to even get that low is still really impressive.
Carrying on with my Sony SSCS5 testing, I noticed that the mids were really good too, with vocals coming in loud and pronounced.
This could be attributed to the optimized crossover that allows changes in sound and frequency ranges to be nice and smooth.
In any case, sound quality is definitely there.
Overall I Feel That They Have Impressive Sound Quality
They do have a sensitivity of 87 decibels, so you’ll likely need more power to actually get these things loud which is something to note beforehand.
These would be excellent nearfield or even midfield monitor speakers for that very reason, especially when using them desktop speakers since you wouldnt need to turn the volume up as loud.
But for home theater proposes, having a high power pre amp/receiver to use with them is highly recommended so that you get the same awesome experience.
I’d recommend using a receiver that at least has 75 watts per channel to get the most out of them.
But overall, I’d have to say I was impressed with the sound quality of the CS5s and give these 2 giant thumbs up.
Overall, I feel they have a really subdued yet refined design that quite frankly, looks good.
There’s a small Sony logo towards the bottom, and the edges of the cloth grille are actually chamfered, giving the speaker a unique look.
They’re what Sony calls tapered edges, that help reduce unwanted noise from the baffle board and cabinet; providing for a higher quality sound.
With the grille removed, there’s a double tweeter and woofer display that I personally think looks really cool.
I’d say it blends in with its more dark and contemporary design.
The color of the woofer is also pretty nice, and kind of shimmers when light hits it which is a nice touch.
As for the cabinet itself, it has a smooth matte black wood finish that I noticed didn’t pick up a lot of finger prints.
While definitely not gigantic, these also aren’t the smallest speakers in the world by any means, so you’ll definitely want sufficient space to house them.
What’s great about these speakers though is their appearance stems from their functionality; meaning not only are they meant to look great, but perform exceptionally as well.
Likes
3 way dual tweeter design provides incredible sound clarity
Support for high resolution audio through a proprietary codec
5.12 inch woofer provides a solid midrange with depth
Vocals & dialogue are represented beautifully
Wide soundstage gives a greater sense of immersion
Tapered faceplate edges allow for a cleaner sound
Fits in aesthetically with any contemporary setting
Work great as computer speakers
Dislikes
Low sensitivity requires decent amount of power to get loud
No 5 way binding post, only screw type
No keyhole for wall mounting
Final Thoughts
Well that’s about it for now.
Hopefully you enjoyed this Sony SS CS5 3-way bookshelf speaker review and now have a better idea of whether or not they’re for you.
To sum it up, I personally think they’re a great set of speakers that work well with pretty much everything content wise; provided you have the adequate power to make them work.
If you do, I’d definitely recommend them in that case.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
I always say, if you don’t have the space for a traditional 5.1 system but still crave that same quality sound & experience that one gives, the right soundbar can be a pretty solid replacement.
Though with so many options out there as of late, it can be pretty difficult actually choosing one; especially when you consider the different features that each provides.
So that being said, in this ZVOX SB380 soundbar review we take a look at a device that could very well be the solution to this issue based on what it has to offer.
But is it the one you’ve inadvertently been looking for?
When it comes to appearance, it’s honestly pretty low key; meaning you’ll have no problems working it into the aesthetics of your current space.
There’s a black metal grille on the front and sides, with a small metallic logo towards the center. On the right side you have a few buttons that control the device, and on the back you have the inputs for setup.
That’s pretty much it honestly. As I’ve mentioned before, the point of a soundbar isn’t really to stand out or to be ostentatious in a sense; more so to blend in with the decorum while providing you with good sound.
So to put it briefly, I like the way this device looks. What I like in particular about this unit though is the disappearing display behind the speaker grille that gives you visual information whenever you interact with the controls. I think that’s really cool and wish more did that to be honest.
But as far as looks go, it gets a thumbs up.
Features & Specs
The features of the ZVOX SB380 also make it an enticing option.
For example it has a built in subwoofer to handle the bass so there’s no need for placing anything else external.
Everything is situated inside a single bar which can definitely prove useful for the people out there with limited space, or those that prefer something that takes up little space. Either way, you’re covered here.
Another thing that is taken seriously here is the sound quality. It makes use of a digitally controlled amplifier which uses a series of complex algorithms to deliver the sound. This allows it to not only sound incredible, but actually be accurate as well.
ZVOX also uses what they call their AccuVoice technology; and what this basically does is identify the voices in the soundtrack and modify them to make them more distinct & audible using hearing aid technology.
That means that even during the worst mixed programming, you still won’t have any issues with hearing the dialogue.
If your main reason for actually looking for a soundbar is due to the fact you’re having issues hearing what people are saying and you’re fed up with it, then this single feature alone essentially makes it worth it.
Then there’s the OL (output leveling) feature that with the single press of a button, is able to make the softer sounds in a soundtrack louder, and the louder sounds quieter.
This is especially helpful for those moments where there’s a sudden change in volume — say during an extremely loud commercial, or even just when you’re switching channels and just so happen to land on an action flick (which can be pretty jarring admittedly)
So with this, that issue is pretty much mitigated. But what’s interesting is that this feature also helps by boosting the volume levels on Blurays and DVDS that aren’t loud enough, so that way you’ll actually be able to hear them without having to turn it all the way to the max setting.
Again this is another feature I wish all of them had, but I’m glad to at least see it here.
Yet another proprietary technology on display here is ZVOX’S PhaseCue Virtual Surround Sound which makes the promise of providing you with a rich 3D sound all through out the room; making it seem as though it was actually coming from all around.
That basically means you’ll still get the full surround sound experience without actually having to use dedicated speakers which is really cool.
It also has hangar slots on its back panel allowing it to be wall mounted and due to its design, it can be placed upright or laid flat underneath a TV.
In terms of the actual size of it, this isn’t a burly soundbar by any means making it pretty manageable. It comes in at around 9.8 pounds though the actual shipping weight is listed at about 14.5 pounds.
It measures 35.5 x 3.3 x 5.7 inches.
It has 3 full range speakers with one 4 inch subwoofer also included inside.
There’s a 45 watt high efficiency class D amplifier; and in terms of inputs, there’s one Toslink digital input as well as an Analog RCA jack input.
There’s also a one year limited warranty.
Setup
Setup for this system is really simple as well. Besides plugging in the power cord, all that’s necessary is plugging in a single optical cable from the TV to the back of the device and that’s it.
There is also the option of connecting via analog, but that’s only applicable in really niche situations.
So if there were any worries about the process being complex, you’ll be happy to note that this certainly isn’t the case.
A single cord in the optical port and you’re good to go.
How’s The Sound?
What about the sound, does it actually sound good?
In a word, Yes!
Surprisingly this is actually one of the best soundbars I’ve ever listened to in terms of clarity.
During normal television, I immediately noticed how pronounced and crisp voices were even when the volume wasn’t turned up incredibly high.
Even when it was turned up, it remained crystal clear and didn’t have any distortion or anything like that.
This is certainly a plus because not everyone wants to have to crank things up to 11 just to hear what’s going on, and the fact that it isn’t necessary to do so here is definitely welcomed.
During movies I noticed the same level of clarity and what surprised me the most was the virtual surround sound feature. It’s probably one of the best implementations of it I’ve heard since it did provide a level of immersion I honestly wasn’t expecting it to.
Sound effects actually felt like they were coming from all around, and I just felt like I was a part of the action which is awesome.
The bass was pretty good too, though I will say I wished it could go just a little deeper during more dramatic scenes in movies.
It definitely had a decent thump, it’s just that during certain bass drops it kind of stopped before digging super deep so figured that was at least worth mentioning.
But that’s in comparison to an actual subwoofer though and not other soundbars. In terms of a soundbar, the bass is actually really good.
In fact you’ll be more than pleased with it, especially during music.
Music is something this device does really well too because of its innate ability to really separate the details when it comes to content.
It’s older brother in the line, the ZVOX SB500 does have bluetooth along with a larger subwoofer, so this is something to consider as well.
But having heard both, I actually prefer the way the ZVOX 380 handles voice quality to be honest. It just seems like it does a better job with making voices discernible in normal listening conditions.
But besides that, the actual sound quality itself is more than adequate and is leagues above the average television speaker for sure.
So if that’s what you’re coming from, it’ll honestly be a world of difference in terms of the experience.
I also liked the way the display illuminated whenever a setting was changed or the volume was adjusted and found it really easy to see what I was doing.
But going back to sound quality, make no mistakes about it, the sound quality here is superb, and it’ll allow you to hear the smallest of details that you likely couldn’t hear before.
This is especially true due to the built in hearing aid technology making it perfect for those that are hard of hearing, or even for those who are just tired of having to turn the TV all the way up just to hear the dialogue.
With this, you won’t have that issue whatsoever and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it for that very reason.
If you’re just looking for something to watch TV and the occasional movie with, then this is a solid choice.
Likes
Built in hearing aid technology allows for crystal clear voice quality even at low volumes
Built in subwoofer
Virtual surround sound works really well
Adjustable bass and treble
Output Leveling feature prevents dramatic volume jumps between programs
Superb sound quality
Doesn’t take up a lot of space at only 35 inches long
Really simple to setup
Can be wall mounted as well as placed upright or laid flat
Disappearing digital display is awesome
Dislikes
Additional sound modes would have been nice
No Bluetooth
Bass could go deeper
No HDMI slot
Final Thoughts
Well that’s about it, hopefully you’ve enjoyed this ZVOX SB380 soundbar review and it helped to clear a few things up for you.
Overall, the ZVOX SB380 is a solid soundbar that I have no issues with recommending. It sounds great & works really well for a majority of content.
Plus the virtual surround sound feature actually makes you feel like a part of the content which is pretty amazing.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
In this Sony HT-S350 review, we’ll be taking a look at a 2.1 soundbar subwoofer combo that manages to not only provide stellar sound, but does so in a slim and sleek profile.
As far as appearance goes, I guess you could say well it’s a sound bar?
What do I mean by that? Well the thing is soundbars usually aren’t designed with aesthetics specifically in mind. Considering they’re meant to blend in with whatever environment they’re placed in, their real focus is the sound, not really how they look per se.
Now that being said, this is still an attractive looking device for sure.
On the front you have a black metal grille bereft of pretty much anything else — and over on the top you have the Sony logo situated to the left, with controls for the entire component in the middle like volume, power, bluetooth, and even a TV button to change inputs.
The subwoofer that it comes with has the same kind of metal grille, and toward the bottom is a port to help with minimizing distortion. There’s also the same brand logo up top as well.
Like I said before, it’s a good looking soundbar don’t get me wrong, but I think it’s kind of hard to make one that doesn’t look good considering what they are and their intended use.
With all of that being said, there’s no qualms here as far as looks go; this will certainly look great wherever you decide to eventually put it.
Specs & Features
This is where things get interesting and where a major draw of why I personally think it’s worth it; the features it offers.
First off it’s fully bluetooth enabled, meaning you’ll be able to not only stream shows & music wirelessly from your phone or tablet, but if you also happen to own a Sony brand TV, the S350 will be able to connect to it and play wirelessly as well.
It’s also completely wall mountable as well which gives you a bunch more choices when it comes to placement.
I’ve also mentioned this earlier, but since this is a 2.1 system, there’s also an included subwoofer as well to give you that deep bass and extra oomph during movies.
It’s one of 7 total sound presets whose utility really depends on the individual use case of your content. There’s of course the standard mode which is the default setting, along with the cinema mode which we’ve already talked about.
A Game Studio mode which was actually developed by Playstation developers themselves with the idea of supplementing the gaming experience.
There’s a sports mode for further immersion during your favorite games and events. A music mode to enhance the clarity and ambiance of everything you listen to.
And even a news mode and night mode, to enhance dialogue during telecasts and reduce volume spikes during night time viewing respectively.
There’s even other ones like voice enhancement and auto sound for further customization.
Another really cool feature is what Sony calls its S-Force Pro. Basically it’s a virtual surround sound technology used to emulate the feeling of actual surround sound; making it seem as though there’s speakers all around you.
That basically means you still get the joys of surround sound without the additional space a setup of physical speakers would take. This is also a 320 watt system so there’s more than enough power to play any of your favorite content with ease.
It also of course comes with a remote, and the remote has a number of interesting features as well including the ability to change the audio input and even control the subwoofer volume which is certainly handy.
In terms of the soundbar itself, it measures 40 x 20.4 x 9.8 inches, and the combined weight of it and the subwoofer is about 28 pounds.
Up top are things like physical controls for the volume should you decide to use it that way, along with indicator lights that give you a heads up on different statuses such as when it’s muted or when it’s actually connected to the TV.
In terms of what you get in the box, there’s the soundbar, subwoofer, remote control, and optical cable along with more standard fare like the quick set up guide, and manual.
As a side note, I think it would have been nice for there to have been an included HDMI cable too, but oh well. For what is offered here, it’s really hard to complain to be honest.
Setup
Now the setup is another major draw here as well. If the Idea of having to run various wires from multiple speakers all over the place sounds annoying, you’ll be happy to know that actually setting this thing up is super simple.
Like plugging in a single cord simple (barring the actual power supply of course)
So here’s the thing, if you have a newer TV from within the last few years, it’ll likely have what’s known as an HDMI ARC (audio return channel) slot, typically in the first slot.
ARC basically allows the television to pass information from a single cable to whatever device it’s plugged into, and allows subsequent devices to also use a single cable too.
It’s super convenient, and since this soundbar supports that feature, it means all you have to do is plug the HDMI from the bar to your TV and you’re done, that’s it.
But let’s say you have an older TV that doesn’t have HDMI, what’s awesome here is that you’ll still be able to use it since it also supports what’s known as an optical cable which is also included in the box.
Setup for that is still just as easy, since all you would have to do is plug the optical cable into the TV and you’re done.
So if you were worried that hooking everything up would be super complicated, it’s actually quite the opposite; meaning you’ll spend less time fiddling with wires, and more time enjoying the sound.
Speaking of which…
How it Sounds
That all sounds great sure, but how does it actually sound? Well luckily, you’ll be happy to know that audio quality is yet another place this device excels.
Before even getting into the subwoofer, the soundbar itself provides an actual quality sound that you can’t help but deeply appreciate.
More specifically, what I was somewhat surprised by was how neutral the standard mode was. There was no favoring the low end or even the high end from what I noticed, everything just sounded as is if that makes sense.
This might be especially attractive if you’re a big proponent of viewing content exactly the way that the director intended since that’s exactly the case here.
But details were there, clarity was there, and when it comes to the sub, the low end was too.
That’s actually another place where I was pleasantly surprised; together they provided a deep bass that I wasn’t really expecting.
Watching movies was incredibly satisfying, and music was no different (the bluetooth connected to my phone pretty fast by the way, so that’s probably something people will really appreciate too)
No matter what type of content I threw at it, it handled all of it like a boss. Everything was just reproduced clear and loud (this thing can get LOUD by the way so worries about not being able to hear it)
Voices also seemed to be a specialty since every voice came in with such authority and clarity during shows that I actually didn’t need to turn things up to understand what was happening. That’s something I look for when gauging the quality of a soundbar, the quality of the dialogue it reproduces, and this one does so with ease.
What I particularly liked was the ability to adjust the sub volume on the fly, so if a program had too much or too little bass, it was easy to make an adjustment then and there.
The other sound modes worked pretty good too, and my favorite mode all around was probably the cinema — just because of how full bodied and warm it made things sound. I also liked the night mode, and it worked especially well for when I wanted to watch content before bed without shaking the whole house.
The surround sound mode worked pretty well too.
I will say it’s not quite as convincing as an actual dedicated system in that specific instance, since the sound is reflected instead of coming from separate sources, but the implementation is still quality, and is much better than not having it honestly.
I didn’t necessarily notice sounds behind me (at least in the room I used it ) but there were a few ambient noises I noticed kinda off to the side that made me double take a few times.
I used this in a larger room though, so your mileage may vary.
The point is though, the sound quality is actually good, the bass is deep, and it gave me enough of an immersive experience for me to safely say that I have no doubts it’ll do the same for you.
This is a system that’s certainly worth your time.
Even gaming was amazing with it, with PS4 & PS5 titles absolutely coming alive seemingly.
The same praises with how it handles movies also applies to gaming – with deep authoritative bass and pristine clarity making the experience incredibly immersive and exciting.
If you’re a gamer looking for a sound system that’ll work, this is a solid choice for sure.
Likes
Crystal clear sound quality
Multiple sound modes allowing you to tailor things to your liking
Included subwoofer that provides a powerful clean bass
Bass level is also adjustable
Setup is extremely easy
Fully Bluetooth enabled and works with phones and tablets
Everything you need is included (assuming you have an HDMI cable)
Virtual surround sound actually gives a convincing level of immersion
Dislikes
No included HDMI Cable
A little long at 41 inches (I personally don’t mind this, but just figured I’d let people know upfront)
Final Thoughts
Well folks, that about does it for this Sony HT-S350 Review. Whether your reason for getting a sound bar is because of a difficulty in hearing the voices on your favorite programs, wanting better quality when listening to music, or even just to play video games, the S350 handles all of that and more with ease.
It’s an all around solid performer that gets an Easy Home Theater recommendation. It’s undoubtedly worth your time.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
The Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers provided awesome sound quality with a warmer sound signature that added a layer of depth to them. Audio quality was smooth with minimal distortion, which I feel allowed them to be excellent near field monitors or stereo speakers. Their design was also nice looking.
Another day, another look at an awesome product in the home theater sphere. This time it’s the Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers review, a quick look at a particular set of truly compelling speakers.
But what exactly makes them so interesting, and why might these be worth a look?
Well let’s find out.
Features
This is a pretty novel speaker, particularly because of the various features it touts.
One Active & One Passive Speaker
For starters, one speaker is an active speaker while the other is passive. The active one plugs up into the wall via a power cord, while the passive one connects to the active one with speaker wire.
4 Inch Bass Driver
A 4 inch full range bass reflex driver is included for more impactful audio output.
13mm Silk Dome Tweeter
A 13mm (.5 inch) silk dome tweeter is present for higher frequency notes.
Flared Bass Reflex Port
A flared bass reflex port is present to minimize distortion.
Adjustable Bass And Treble Knobs For Sound
The right speaker has master volume control, bass, and treble knobs to adjust the sound of both speakers to how you want it.
It goes from -6 to +6 so you can really get granular in terms of control. Plus it comes with a wireless remote control which is also pretty useful.
Dual RCA Inputs & Auxiliary Connectivity
There’s a terminal that accepts the speaker wire and 2 different connection types; RCA and auxiliary.
Dual RCA inputs allow you to use RCA to RCA, or RCA to auxiliary connections; meaning support for external music sources like a phone, tablet, or laptop is there.
Wood Veneer Paneling
The Edifier R1280Ts have a wood veneer paneling laid atop an MDF wood cabinet.
In terms of the speakers themselves though, they’re not too big coming in at 6.9 x 9.5 x 5.8 inches and weighing 10.8 pounds.
The frequency range goes from 75Hz-18kHz and there’s 21 watts of power.
Setup
Since these are active speakers, to set them up, plug the active one into the wall via the connected power cord.
Then connect the passive speaker to the active one that’s already plugged into the wall with the included speaker wire.
If you plan to use an external device with these speakers, RCA or auxiliary inputs would be needed on that device to connect them.
How They Sound
Initial Impressions
My initial first impressions after setting them up was really positive.
Audio quality was crisp, and there was no signs of distortion, crackling, or anything like that even at the highest volumes.
I will say this though; they seemed to have a really warm sound signature to my ears, so they’re aren’t neutral sounding from what I noticed.
At lower volumes they’re very subdued and mellow, and when cranked up, they sound really smooth.
The sound quality itself is really good, but it’s almost kind of relaxed even when loud if that makes any sense.
These seemed to really favor the lower end frequencies honestly which reminded me of the Edifier P17s in a way.
I personally love that, but some may not; especially if they’re an audio purist that prefers accuracy or even just a lighter sound.
If that’s the case, something more like the Klipsch R 41M may work for you.
The Edifier R980T also has slightly more of a neutral sound from what I listened to.
My thoughts were maybe it was due the fact that the tweeter was .5 inches so it maybe it wasn’t as focused on higher frequency sounds as speakers with a 1 inch tweeter, but who knows.
Actually if anything, they almost sounded retro too; similar to speakers in the 80s with that warmer sound signature which I personally think is awesome.
Their Treble Quality
By no means did they sound muddy, imprecise or anything like that though
Their treble output and quality was still loud and clear.
Be it movies, games, music, etc. content in general just sounded really nice with these.
Their Bass Quality
That being said, like most speakers, these things aren’t going to produce crazy amounts of bass or anything like that, but they do handle the lower end well.
When taking a look at their appearance, the R1280Ts are pretty distinctive in that regard.
With the soft fabric grille on, it’s actually pretty low key from the front, with a small logo towards the bottom and a gray stripe through the middle.
It’s the kind of look that looks pretty normal from first glance.
However once it’s removed, it’s a completely different story.
With the grille is off, you’re immediately greeted with a driver that seemingly takes up half the speaker, a tweeter in the upper left and right corners of each respectively, and a flared bass reflex port to minimize distortion.
The middle is also a grayish color, and is a stark contrast to the grained MDF wood that makes up its perimeter.
For me personally, I ppreferred the look of it with the grille on since it looked more subdued, but some might prefer it with it off.
Overall, I’d say it kind of has a retro look that brings about sense of nostalgia from its distinct look.
You can definitely tell a lot of time and care went into the design which definitely shows.
In my opinion, I think they’re really cool looking speakers that have even made my recommendations page.
Likes
Audio quality excels in every category
Can be used as desktop or stereo home theater speakers
Auxiliary inputs meaning they can also be used with a smartphone
Bass, treble, volume knobs on the side give you precise sound control
All the wires you need are included
Not too big
Vintage look
Dislikes
.5 inch tweeter might not provide the most intricate details at highest frequency levels
Final thoughts
Hopefully you enjoyed this Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers review, and learned what makes these such a convenient yet awesome pair of speakers.
Overall, if you’re looking for speakers to provide you enjoyment for years to come, but don’t want a gigantic speaker, then this is definitely a solid choice.
It provides an awesome sound quality while also being an absolutely incredible performer.
In short, I certainly recommend them due to their awesome sound quality.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
Today I wanted to cover something that’s been asked a bunch lately that I really think will help you out; and that’s how long do speakers last?
Now the answer to that is interesting since it actually depends on any number of different factors but don’t worry.
Not only will we discuss what those things are, we’ll also be talking about ways you can prolong the life of your speakers as much as possible.
That way you’ll get enjoy your audio gear for many more years to come.
Let’s get right to it. 😀
How Long Do Speakers Last For?
Speakers can last for quite some time with proper maintenance. Barring harmful factors like heat, humidity, & component failure, and accounting for the design/material, as long as you properly care for your speakers, they should ultimately last you many years. A speaker’s life can be prolonged by cleaning it and not playing at extreme volume levels.
What Are Some Of The Reasons Speakers Stop Working Or Go Bad?
~Turning Them Up Too Loud For Long Periods Of Time
Of course we all want to enjoy our speakers, but sometimes we end up inadvertently overdoing things a bit to the point where it does more harm than good.
Problem is, when turned up too loud, especially for long periods of time, this can actually physically damage the speaker.
The amount of damage done of course will depend on the volume, but doing so can have short and or long term effects.
How loud is too loud though?
Honestly it’s hard to say since every speaker has different capabilities and ratings, but a good rule of thumb is to never go above reference level volume.
What’s that?
Well reference level is basically the volume at which films are usually calibrated and mixed at — and is typically denoted by 0 dB on your receiver.
This is extremely loud as is, but going above this introduces an entirely different host of issues like distortion, clipping, and even breaking the speaker entirely so it’s definitely something to avoid doing.
The issue is also exacerbated when using a speaker with a receiver that can’t adequately power it which can lead to having to turn it up to that point just to hear it.
So it’s important to also remember to use a receiver that actually has enough power to run your speakers.
A good rule of thumb that should help is using a receiver that supports at least 70 watts per channel if using it in a decent sized room.
~Leaving Them In Environments Where Moisture Is Present
It’s pretty much a given that unless they’re weather resistant, moisture and electronics generally don’t mix; so leaving them in environments where a lot of this is present can corrode the internals causing them to malfunction.
This can bring about a myriad of other problems too like oxidation, a scratchy sounding tweeter or driver, or even the wood itself to rot, rendering it inoperative as a result.
~Leaving Them In Extreme Heat Or Cold
Another factor that doesn’t play well with electronics, and speakers in particular – is extreme temperatures.
Like with moisture, having a speaker in climates that are too hot or too cold can be absolutely detrimental to the longevity of the speaker.
When it’s too hot, you run the risk of melting the insides of the driver and even wiring. When it’s too cold though, you run the risk of things becoming to brittle and breaking, so just be aware of this when deciding to place your speaker.
~The Materials They’re Made Of
The materials that make up the speaker are one of the most important factors when determining how long a speaker will last for; especially when it comes to the surrounding edges.
This is the material that actually surrounds the drivers or woofers on the outside, and depending on what it’s made of, it can dramatically effect not only their sound, but their durability as well.
When this gets damaged, it can affect the performance of the voice coil (the spiraled wire connected to the cone of the driver) and it might not perform as optimally so there’s that.
Rubber is used a lot more in more modern speakers and is much more durable than foam typically.
Cloth is also typically used in the surrounding edges as well since it can’t technically rot, but it can be abraded and even perforated over time from small articulates like sand.
Even this however is dependent on the thickness and the quality of the material being used.
The cabinet or enclosure of the speaker is especially dependent on the materials used as a lower quality wood won’t last as long as one with MDF (medium density fiberboard) style wood.
Plastic on the other hand can last a little longer than wood, especially in humid environments.
But if used in an inside environment exclusively, then they’re pretty comparable when it comes to durability.
Other parts of a speaker like the dust cap and even the cone can degrade over time too.
Even the type of glue used in the adhesives matters, and if an insufficient amount or lower quality is used, this can also have an effect from what I’ve seen.
~Different Manufacturing Tolerances Or Defects
Keep in mind that the quality of the speaker itself plays a huge role in terms of if and when it might give out.
Different brands have different levels of build quality, and these variations in manufacturing can mean all the difference.
To further complicate things, given a speakers dynamic nature and how they’re made, there can be disparities even within the same line let alone the same brand.
That’s not even accounting for defects which can and do happen to varying degrees.
This of course all ties back to the materials as ones that aren’t as durable obviously won’t last as long as higher quality ones. What’s also important is whether the speaker was designed to be repairable to begin with.
For example some speakers may have the tweeter and the woofer built into a single sheet of plastic within the speaker known as the baffle.
Problem is, even if just one of those were to break, then entire board including both the tweeter and the woofer would need to be replaced, and the effort required in doing so would likely surpass the means of just getting an entirely new one.
Again, that’s if it’s repairable, as some of the internal parts including the crossover may be affixed to the cabinet itself making any repairs impossible. As you can see, there’s just a lot that matters when determining a speaker’s lifespan.
Speaking of which, how long do they last then?
How Long Do They Actually Work For?
So with all of that being said, how long do speakers typically last for?
Well with the proper maintenance they can actually last for at least a couple decades believe it or not.
Barring any of the extraneous factors we talked about earlier, as long as you properly care for your speakers, they should ultimately last you a long while.
I know people that have speakers from the 80’s that are still alive and well.
The oldest set of speakers I have right now are 10 years old, and even those still work perfectly fine.
Ask anybody who’s been into audio for any extended period of time, and they’ll likely tell you about a pair they have that still works from years ago.
Point is,they have the capability to perform almost indefinitely when properly taken care of (and as long as they’re quality)
What’s even better is because of the fact that technology has advanced so much during this time, newer materials are being used that expand their durability even further.
There’s also outside speaker variants that are created with the purpose of functioning outside, but even these should last just as long.
So you can rest assured that as long as you get quality ones, your speakers should last you for the long haul.
What Are Some Of The Ways You Can Prolong The Life Of Your Speaker?
Now that we know that speakers should work for a long time, what can you do to make sure that they actually do?
Well luckily, there’s a few things.
~Wipe Off Any Excess Dirt Or Dust
From time to time, it’s helpful to wipe down your equipment so that excess dirt & dust doesn’t accumulate.
This can not only affect the aesthetics of it, but the actual sound quality as well.
A microfiber cloth should suffice, but if it’s really bad, then a tiny drop of a gentle wood cleaner should be adequate. This is the one I use.
~Not Turning The Gain Or Trim Levels Too High In The Receiver
This one is an important one that we sort of touched upon a little bit earlier.
Remember how I said not to go above reference level since this can damage the speaker?
Well what’s also important is not setting the volume levels above that on the receiver.
Most receiversusually let you adjust the trim levels for each individual speaker, but setting them too high can also introduce distortion which obviously isn’t pleasant.
Luckily a lot of the newer ones have automatic calibration software so that you won’t have to worry about this.
A common misconception is that the positive number on the receiver is fine but it’s actually the exact opposite.
The reason for that negative number is that it denotes how many decibels away from reference level (the volume setting of 0) you are.
So when you go into the positive numbers, that’s basically telling you how much above reference level you are – which is certainly not a good thing long term.
Try to stay below that point.
~Placing Them In a Dry and Temperate Environment
I also talked about this one earlier, but it still remains true. If you want to prolong the life of your speaker, then you’ll definitely want to make sure that they’re placed in a place that’s as dry and mild as possible.
Doing so ensures the longest shelf life for your audio equipment.
What To Do If Your Speakers Do Stop Working?
But what if your speakers do hypothetically stop stop working for whatever reason, is there anything that you can do?
Surprisingly there is, and I even did an article covering what you can do should this unexpectedly happen.
So hopefully with what all we’ve covered, this helps to give you a rough overall idea of how long your speakers should typically last you.
Of course there’s many other factors involved when determining this, but the general consensus is that if properly taken care of, they should keep working for as long as you have them.
That means with the appropriate maintenance like mentioned before, you’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite movies and games for many years with no worries.
If you want to eak out even more performance from your system by the way, then be sure to check out this article I did that gives you tips on doing just that.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
Bass shakers are definitely worth it since they add a tactile element to the bass allowing you to feel the action happening on screen without the noise of a subwoofer — making it a viable alternative. Often referred to as tactile transducers, these devices immerse you in your content in a way that’s truly exciting.
Today we’re going to be covering a novel home theater accessory so cool that, no joke, might just change the way you watch movies, television, etc.
Imagine something that could give your content physical impact that shakes your seat without the need to be turned up extremely loud, or disturbing your neighbors.
In short, they’re called bass shakers, and you can think of this as a comprehensive beginner’s guide to everything you need to know about bass shakers.
We’ll cover what they are, and how you can use them for your next movie night.
So, are bass shakers actually worth it and should you give them a try?
Let’s find out in this in depth look!
What Is A Bass Shaker?
“Image Courtesy of The Guitammer Company”
To put it simply, a bass shaker is a small device with an electromechanical motor that attaches to your seat — whose sole responsibility is to emit low frequency sounds so low that you’ll actually feel it during your content.
They’re somewhat similar to a passive speaker or subwoofer given they still require power from your receiver.
However they’re different in that they’re focused on delivering the sounds below 20hz, rather than the ones you can hear.
Often also referred to as a tactile transducer, they basically output sounds that are so low frequency that they’re actually far below human hearing.
Known as tactile sounds, this is the range where sound actually becomes tactile and unable be audibly heard.
For example if you’ve ever been to a concert, you’d know that whenever there’s a bass drop or a drum kick, you can actually feel it and not just hear it.
These emulate that same effect.
The reason for this is that humans have a hard time discerning sounds around 20 Hz and when they drop lower than this range, we start to perceive sound as being physical rather than audible.
It’s an interesting phenomenon for sure, but definitely something you’d need to experience to fully appreciate.
The awesome thing about bass shakers is that they’re built in a way to optimize this same feeling but in the comfort of your own home.
What Are The Advantages Of A Bass Shaker?
So there’s actually 2 distinct advantages that bass shakers have over a subwoofer that you’ll want to keep in mind when deciding if they’re right for you.
~You’re The Only One That Actually Experiences It
The first has to do with audibility.
In order for a subwoofer to get below 20 Hz, typically the sound level of your content has to be incredibly loud, sometimes nearing reference levels (the standard level at which movies are calibrated and mixed)
That’s if your subwoofer can even go that low as it takes exponentially more power the lower in bass you go — also requiring it to be bigger in size.
A lot can’t, and the ones that can are usually gigantic.
What’s even more unfortunate is that there’s a lot of content in these lower ranges as well that a lot of people miss due to an inadequate sub, and the result is an experience that has the potential to be much better unbeknownst to them.
Enter bass shakers.
Due to their piston like design, bass shakers can easily reproduce the content in these ranges without shaking everything in the room.
Everything becomes a lot more physical.
Rather than just hearing say, an explosion on screen, now you actually feel it.
It’s a level of immersion that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced.
But what’s also particularly unique about them is that they isolate the sensation so that the only person experiencing it is the person that’s in the seat that they’re installed on.
How cool is that?
These are great for the individual that wants to actually experience their content the way it was meant to be without having to turn things up deafeningly loud and or annoying their neighbors.
Somewhat similar to how decoupling a subwoofer from the floorcan reduce the bass that travels through the floor, a bass shaker can also be a way to reduce the bass that travels.
However it can also confine a majority of the bass to that seat only.
That means for the people who live in an apartment or dorm, these are an especially attractive addition due to the fact that you won’t disturb your neighbors, and can still get that deep tactile feeling without the need for a giant subwoofer — especially if you’re already limited on space as is.
Even if you do have a sub capable of going this low, these still add an additional level of immersion that you’re likely missing; which leads into the second advantage.
~They Provide A More Precise Tactile Experience Over Subwoofers
Another benefit that these offer in comparison to subwoofers is that the tactile response you get from bass shakers is much more accurate and physical; even when compared to subwoofers that can play this low.
Bass shakers are meant to be placed on your home cinema seating so that as a movie plays, you feel the sound happening in the movie.
Rather than it being one flat low frequency effect, you’ll actually feel the subtle differences between whatever is happening on screen.
It’s a lot more nuanced in its delivery.
It’s hard to articulate exactly what that’s like, but if you experience it firsthand you’ll see what I mean.
They’re certainly fun, that’s for sure.
Can A Bass Shaker Replace A Subwoofer?
Here’s another question that you might have at this point, and that’s can one of these actually manage to replace a dedicated subwoofer?
Honestly, I’d have to say it depends.
It depends on the type of bass shaker, the sub, the type of seating you have, etc.
Remember while a subwoofer can produce sounds below 20 Hz (if it was engineered to do so) that’s not its only job.
Unlike a bass shaker, a subwoofer also has the responsibility of reproducing sounds up to 80 Hz which is the crossover point where your speakers then take over.
So while it can produce sounds that might not be audible, its job is to also produce the bass that you can hear.
A bass shaker can’t do this.
It’s also a type of bass that everyone in the room can experience; not just the person in one particular seat.
So to answer the question, even though I can’t definitively say whether or not they’ll be able to fully replace a sub since it’ll depend on your individual circumstance, what I can tell you for sure is that they can amplify your experience tremendously if used in tandem with one.
You may also happen to come across something extremely similar called a tactile transducer.
Is A Tactile Transducer & Bass Shaker The Same Thing And Which Is Better?
To simplify things a bit, you might notice that the terms tactile transducers and bass shakers are used interchangeably and that boils down to their very close similarity.
Tactile transducers do the same thing, however the only difference is that they sometimes have the capability of going into the higher ranges like a subwoofer.
That being said, there’s also a lot out there that only do LFE (low frequency effects).
In summation, they can pretty much be thought of as the same thing so don’t get too caught up as far as semantics are concerned.
Just note that some might be capable of different things than others.
So in terms of one of them being better than the other, it’ll really depend on what you personally prioritize; a higher frequency range or deeper bass, as well as the actual product itself.
How Do You Install A Bass Shaker?
The installation process for shakers isn’t too hard, but it will take a little time.
Luckily there’s a bunch of guides out there, so here are 2 different sources that explain the process.
Keep in mind that the installation process will vary depending on what you choose in addition to what receiver and amplifier you have, so these are just two examples of how it can be done.
Bass shakers are definitely worth it since they add a tactile experience to the bass that allows you to feel the action happening on screen without the noise of a subwoofer — making it a viable alternative.
These devices immerse you in your content in a way that’s truly exciting.
By allowing you to feel the action happening on the screen, it can really amplify things.
I know firsthand since I’ve used them and it’s hard to put into words just how game changing bass shakers can be, especially when go from standard television audio to this.
It’s something you’d need to experience first hand to believe.
A good bass shaker really makes movie watching an entirely different experience in my opinion.
Even gaming I feel like becomes a lot more thrilling and immersive.
Of course this is going to be dependent on which one you choose, but a good bass shaker will certainly make all the difference with your content.
The experience is incredible when you choose the right one.
There’s certainly an entirely new dimension to scary movies with them that’s for sure.
Which Bass Shaker Would I Recommend?
What makes it difficult to outright recommend the exact ones to go with is due to the fact that each receiver has different capabilities in terms of what it will and won’t work with — meaning if I were to say hey get these, but your receiver wasn’t compatible with that particular transducer, then that’d be a problem.
Then there’s also the fact that everybody has different types of seating arrangements which arguably plays an even bigger role compared with regular speakers.
But something extremely important to note is that each bass shaker has what is known as an Ohm rating, and that’s basically a measurement of the amount of resistance an audio component gives to produce a given output (also referred to as the impedance)
The lower this number, the easier it is to power.
Thing is, certain receivers support specific ohm ratings at a particular wattage.
I say all of that to say when looking for a quality shaker, make sure that the one you’re interested in getting is actually supported by your receiver and will actually fit in your chair/sofa.
There’s a lot of great ones out there, so you shouldn’t have any issues when it comes to finding the one that suits you.
Just remember the previous things I mentioned before and you’ll be golden.
One of my personal favorites is the Dayton Audio BST-1 so that may be a good one to consider.
I know the Denon AVR-S760H receiver also goes down to 4 Ohms, so that might be a good receiver to go with too if you want to simplify things and gain a little more wiggle room in terms of what will work with what.
The article listed below may help as well if you want to get a receiver that may work with the shaker you’re particularly interested in.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
If there’s one thing you can say about home theater, it’s that it’s never boring. There’s always a new product, gadget etc. released that ends up enticing us way more than it should.
So without fail, the pair of speakers we’ll be going over today pretty much fall in to that exact same category.
To say that they’re awesome is definitely an understatement.
This is the Klipsch R-41M bookshelf speakers review!
Appearance
See one of my favorite things about Klipsch speakers by far would have to be their appearance. I feel as though they have some of the most attractive looking speakers in the industry.
The R-41M is certainly no different.
First thing you’ll immediately notice is that the speakers look pretty discrete with the detachable magnetic grille on.
There’s a small metallic logo toward the bottom, but other than that, that’s really it.
However as soon as you take the grille off, you’re immediately greeted by a downright beautiful copper driver surrounded by 6 smaller visible fasteners dotted around the perimeter.
It’s hard to describe with words how good it looks but If you’ve never seen one of them in person, then you’re definitely missing out.
It looks great with the grille on too of course, but I much prefer the look of it off.
Above that you’ll notice a large square with the another logo on the bottom and the tweeter in the center. There’s a reason for this, but we’ll get to that in just a little bit.
The outside is made of a black textured reinforced MDF wood that feels really premium to the touch — and since this is a darker grained wood, it does a really good job at mitigating fingerprints which I’m sure many will appreciate.
It also happens to be scratch resistant which is a pretty big plus.
In terms of feel, even though these look heavy, they actually aren’t coming in at only 7 pounds. That’s pretty good considering there’s some speakers out there that are many times heavier.
All around though, when it comes to aesthetics, these things nail it as far as attractiveness is concerned. You can leave them as is and have them blend in with the decorum in your room.
Or if you want to be bold and make a statement, you can remove the grille so that they stand out.
Either way, the point is you won’t be the slightest bit disappointed when it comes to how these speakers look.
Specs & Features
Now in terms of the Klipsch R-41M specs in regards to their actual size, they’re actually not that big at all.
Coming in at 11.3 inches tall, 5.75 inches wide, and 7.9 inches deep, they’re a very manageable size making them perfectly suitable for wall mounting, being placed on a bookshelf, or even being used with a stand.
Being that they’re made out of MDF (medium density fiberboard) this helps to greatly reduce internal cabinet resonance which can uninvitedly color the sound being produced. This allows it to be able to perform as accurately as possible.
Remember those copper drivers that I talked so highly about?
Well they were designed like that for a reason.
Klipsch calls them Injection Molded Graphite (IMG) Copper Spun Woofers that have the dual advantage of being both extremely light and incredibly rigid, allowing them to remain clear in sound even at the highest of volumes.
It also allows them to reach lower, providing you with a better bass response. In this case it allows it to go down to about 68 Hz and into the upper ranges of 21kHz.
The drivers themselves come in at about 4 inches.
This is on the smaller side sure, but don’t let that fool you. If there’s one thing Klipsch speakers are known for besides their looks, it’s their incredible sensitivity.
Sensitivity for those unaware is basically how easy it is for a speaker to get to a specific volume when provided with a specific amount of power.
The higher this number, the better.
These have a sensitivity of 90 which means you won’t need a crazy amount of power to fully utilize them, and also means they’ll be able to go louder easier.
The tweeter is also a special draw on this speaker.
It has what is known as a Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) aluminum tweeter made of a material called Kapton, that allows it to provide an exceptional amount of detail.
To further improve performance, it also comes with 90×90 Tractrix Horn Technlogy that aims the sound at the listener.
The idea is that by doing this, artificial factors such as reflected sound or reverberation is nullified, thereby giving you the most accurate audio.
The 41 M also has some impressive power behind it, with a peak wattage of 200, so no worries about not hearing things.
Over on the back, there’s a bass reflex rear firing port that helps to minimize distortion, and a keyhole so that they can be wall mounted.
There’s also a 5 way binding post included so any connection type will suffice.
Setup
Setting these up is pretty standard, and is done the same way you would any other traditional bookshelf speaker.
Given that you can either wall mount them or place them on a stand, it’ll likely depend on you with regards to how you want them setup.
Since they’re small, placing them on a table or your entertainment stand might be an option as well.
But if you need help with actually wiring them, then this guide on exactly that should help you immensely.
So all of that is cool and all, but how do these actually sound in the real world?
In a word, bright.
What do I mean by that?
Well you know how certain speakers tend to sometimes favor treble or sometimes they’re on the warmer side?
I would certainly say that these certainly favor treble.
That being said, make no mistakes about it, they sound incredible.
If you’re looking for a speaker that can reproduce every minute detail in your content, then this is the one to get. This has to be one of the clearest sounding speakers I’ve heard to date.
Of course this could have something to do with the fact that it’s a direct successor to the R-14M which was already amazing in its own right, so I suppose it was only natural that this one would be an improvement.
But wow is it clear.
In movies for example, if someone breaks something that’s glass, the sound is so realistic you might catch yourself looking around to see if something actually broke.
It’s that level of clarity that’ll have you fully immersed in whatever it is you’re watching.
In that regard, these really remind me of the RP-4000F tower speakers from Klipsch, just in a smaller form factor and slight less emphasis on the lower end.
For movie watching in particular especially, they’re a real treat. Even when it’s turned loud, you’ll notice that that same clarity is present, and actually if anything, it tends to sound even better.
Speaking of which, due to their high sensitivity, they can get loud without very much difficulty at all, which might make them especially attractive if you don’t have a particularly powerful receiver.
When it comes to music, same thing. Everything just sounds crisp with certain content almost having a sparkle with the way it’s presented.
Now this could be good or bad depending on what type of music you listen to and depending on the individual. I found that these worked best on their own with more instrument driven music like rock or country, while more bass dependent genres like hip hop and house music tended to place a lot more emphasis on the vocals.
For me personally, I don’t mind this since I use subwoofers anyway, but for those that planned on using these in stereo, it’s just something to keep in mind. These certainly are speakers that favor the high end, but if you use them with a subwoofer, you’re golden.
The only thing to note though is that these also tend to favor a sweet spot; meaning if you’re outside that sweet spot or off axis, the soundstage might diminish just a little.
Maybe it’s due to the horn tweeter that directs the sound toward the listener, but I found that these definitely tended to favor a central seating position.
Again this didn’t bother me, but it’s something else to think about in terms of how you plan to use these.
This might actually make them a good addition if you planned on using them with a monitor as desktop speakers, so there’s that too.
Even video games sounded downright amazing with these, but I will reiterate that you’ll want to pair them with a sub for them to work at their best since they don’t go as deep.
In terms of sound though, quite simply they’re incredible.
I just can’t stress enough to you how crystal clear they are, it’s amazing really. It’s definitely one of those instances where words won’t do it justice.
Also doesn’t hurt that they happen to look good to boot.
Likes
Great & Realistic Sound Quality
Unmatched clarity
Attractive Copper Spun Drivers
Manageable in size
Wall mountable
Scratch resistant & doesn’t show finger prints
Not heavy at 7 pounds
Goes much louder than its stout appearance would suggest; rated at 200 watts
Dislikes
Not a neutral sound signature, erring on the slightly brighter side
Only goes down to 68Hz meaning it might need to be paired with a subwoofer
Favors a more central listening position
Final Thoughts
Well I hope you enjoyed this Klipsch R-41M reference bookshelf speaker review. In short, this is a speaker that when paired with a subwoofer, is pretty hard to not like honestly. It’s articulate, detailed, and not to mention absolutely beautiful.
I’ve heard subtle details with this speaker that I’ve actually missed on other ones. It actually had me re watching content that I had heard a million times before.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
When it comes to smaller sized speakers that still pack a punch, one of the first that immediately come to mind is the Yamaha NS-IC400WH.
Despite the fact that the woofer is only 4 inches, they still manage to go plenty loud, providing crystal clear sound.
These are perfect for smaller rooms because when fully installed, they only have a 3.3 inch profile in depth which is about the same as an average downlight.
That means they won’t effect the look of the room too much, but will still give you the sound you’ve been looking for. This is especially helpful for rooms where larger 6.5 or 8 inch models would be too large.
The fact that they have a paintable and removable speaker grille via magnets allows them to seamlessly blend in with whatever environment you decide to place them in.
One of the best features about these though is the fact that they’re touted as easy to install which I’m sure you’ll certainly appreciate. That means less time fiddling with things and more time watching.
Given that they’re only 1.8 pounds, that also means they can be supported by a much wider variety of ceiling types compared to heavier kinds. Plus there’s even a back cover that helps protect it from dust and moisture, so there’s no worries there.
All around it’s just a solid choice.
Pros
Great sound quality for smaller rooms
Light at 1.8 Pounds
Back cover helps protect it from dust and moisture
Easy to install
Paintable
Cons
Only goes down to 95 Hz, so you’ll need to use these with a subwoofer
Not the best for large rooms
Overall, if you need a ceiling speaker for a smaller room that’ll do the job and do it well, then the Yamaha NS-IC400WH certainly does that and then some.
The Best 6 inch – JBL Professional Control 26C 6.5-Inch
Now let’s say you have a normal sized room and you want something that’ll really make your movie night memorable.
If you’re looking for something that’ll work perfectly in the average sized living room or family room, then the JBL S26C is certainly a great option.
These have 6.5 inch drivers, and can reach a sound frequency of about 75Hz.
There’s also rubber surrounding these drivers which not only allows it to minimize distortion at higher volumes, but provides you with a much tighter and cleaner bass all around,.
Then on the high end, you also have a .75 inch titanium tweeter for those crystal clear highs.
The 26C also has a paintable grille and faceplate so no worries about it not matching or sticking out. The fact that it’s paintable means you can match it to whatever room it’s placed in.
Pros
Sound quality has depth and clarity
Swivel mount allows you to aim the projection of the sound
Distortion is minimized even at high volumes
Can be painted to match décor
Cons
May still want to use a subwoofer with these
In short, if you’re looking for something to go in a mid sized to even slightly large room, the JBL 26C is certainly suited for that.
With regards to 8 inch ceiling speakers, the Polk Audio RC80I is a great choice for that size range.
You know, of all the ceiling speakers I’ve heard, this is one of the very few that could really be used entirely without a subwoofer.
Yes you heard that right.
Going down to 35hz (possibly lower depending on your room) this thing hits incredibly hard when it comes to the bass.
But what’s really impressive is how clear it is too.
Be it movies, music, etc. it handles it all beautifully. Everything is just so full bodied and articulate which makes watching anything with it a real treat.
They’re definitely not small and weigh about 4.3 pounds, but for the larger room where you want something that can belt it out, this is definitely it.
The best part is that it retains all the useful features of its smaller counterparts like a swivel tweeter so you can aim the sound, paintable grilles so they blend in, and rubber surroundings to minimize distortion while still being able to go louder and deeper.
If you’re looking for something for a large room, then I feel as though this one fits that criteria.
Pros
Can be used without a subwoofer due to it’s large 8 inch driver
Moveable tweeter allows you to project the sound anywhere
Paintable grille
Excellent sound quality
Cons
Large at 10.38 pounds and 8 inches
As long as you have the room and don’t mind the size, the Polk Audio RC80i is absolutely incredible.
Now this is a behemoth of a speaker, no 2 ways about it.
With an outer diameter of 13.5 inches, you’ll want to make sure that you have the space for this one.
But if you do, the Bic 250 watt is probably one of the most mind blowing speakers I’ve heard in a long time.
I mean just look at the name. It’s rated at 250 watts meaning this thing can go super loud.
The fact that it has a rated sensitivity of 90db means it can also get louder while using less power.
It’s a 3 way design as well, meaning it has a separate woofer, midrange driver, and tweeter for a more accurate and realistic sound.
The woofer is a 10 inch heavy duty woven fiber driver that is able to put out a clean bass without any distortion issues even under high volumes.
But what’s particularly impressive about it is the fact that it can actually go down to 24 Hz!
To put that in perspective, that’s lower than a lot of dedicated subwoofers in a normal home theater.
Absolutely insane!
That means you’ll easily be able to run these without the need of an extra sub which is a plus.
The midrange driver is also woven fiber and is 2.5 inches in diameter while the 1 inch liquid cooled titanium domed tweeter rounds things out.
But what’s also great about them is that they pivot, meaning you can aim the sound wherever you want; even if you’re not directly under it.
That’s particularly useful as that opens up many more options in terms of placement. It’s really impressive when a speaker manages to combine deep bass with crystal clear highs, and this one does that flawlessly.
Everything just sounds full and rich.
If you need something with some true power behind it, highly recommend this one. It’s amazing.
Pros
Ability to go down to 24Hz means you can easily use it without a subwoofer
3 way design provides a very realistic sound quality
1 inch tweeter and 2.5 inch midrange drivers that pivot, allowing you to aim the sound
250 watts provides true power
90 db sensitivity allows it to get louder with less power
Cons
Large at 13.5 inches across
Requires a ceiling depth of 5 ¼ inches
Again, providing you have the room, this has the power to completely transform your movie nights. It’s definitely a great speaker.
Now let’s say you need something that’ll be fine indoors, outdoors, wherever.
Maybe you’re not too sure yet, but you want something that can easily stand up to the elements.
In that case, the ICE600TTWRS by OSD Audio fits that standard. The fact that it’s weatherproof means it can be placed in high humidity or damp environments like bathrooms, kitchens, or even patios, giving you a plethora of placement options.
What’s really cool about this one though is that it has a dual voice coil design. This basically allows it to give stereo sound while only using a single speaker meaning you could actually place a single one of these in a room and still get stereo sound.
How cool is that?
It has dual 1 inch dome tweeters that can be aimed anywhere in the room, and a 6.5 inch Kevlar woofer that gives it a high durability and low distortion even at high volumes.
Speaking of volume, this thing also packs a wallop with an impressive 150 watts meaning it’ll do just fine even if you do decide to place it outdoors.
Plus the driver is also lined with a material called santoprene which helps with its ability to withstand extreme cold and heat — while also helping to improve the speaker’s durability as well as sound quality.
It’s even touted as having an easy installation, which is always huge thumbs up.
Overall it’s just a really solid speaker that’s hard to find fault with honestly.
Pros
Ability to withstand extreme cold and heat
Can be placed in damp or humid environments
Can provide stereo sound from a single speaker
150 watt output allows it to get very loud
Kevlar woofer lets it play clearly at those higher volumes
Dual 1 inch dome tweeters that pivot
Easy installation
Great sound quality in general
Cons
Still requires a subwoofer for the lowest bass
When it comes to looking for a quality weatherproof ceiling speaker, I feel like this is among the best when it comes to that. It’s a solid offering that’s built to last and sounds great.
A ceiling speaker is as the name would suggest, a passive speaker that’s specifically designed to sit within the ceiling while projecting the sound downward toward the listener. This is done via means of a wired connection to an external amplifier or receiver.
They’re definitely interesting because unlike a typical speaker, it isn’t completely necessary for the driver itself to be placed in a large cabinet like with a bookshelf or even floor standing variant.
Instead when placed in the ceiling, the ceiling itself actually becomes the enclosure (though you can still specifically create one for it, however we’ll get to that in a little bit)
Funnily enough, even though these have been around for a while now, they didn’t really catch on commercially until quite recently.
That’s for a number of reasons.
One major reason why it wasn’t too popular at first was due to the fact that the price wasn’t consumer friendly — and so was really only relegated to high end set ups or in places of business (think PA systems in a school for example)
It wasn’t until more recently when companies began to realize this where we saw an increase in general adoption of these.
Another pretty big reason why these also didn’t really catch on until the last few years has to do with the actual sound quality. In comparison with normal speakers, the ceiling variants weren’t exactly stellar to be honest, often sounding tinny or harsh at louder volumes.
However this has changed drastically as of late because now not only is the sound quality relatively equal; in some instances it’s actually better than the traditional type, which is a complete 180 compared with how they use to be.
They also were much more complex to set up then they are now, so that definitely helped as well.
So here’s the real question though, are there any actual real world advantages to using these when compared to let’s say a bookshelf or floor standing speaker?
In a word, yes. There certainly is.
In fact, there’s actually a bunch, which just might make them the more enticing option to go with.
What Are The Advantages Of Ceiling Speakers Over Traditional Types?
From the name alone, you would probably think of ceiling speakers as just some niche or luxury thing, but they actually have some real world use that might give them a place in your home.
~They Save You Space
So the first major reason why you might want to go with them instead is the space saving factor. Due to the fact that they are placed in your ceiling, that means that they’ll physically be out of the way; thus saving you a lot of space in the end.
This is especially helpful if your main listening area is a smaller room and you’re already pressed for space as is. Using these pretty much circumvents that entirely while still giving you the same enjoyable experience.
It’s also helpful if your significant other isn’t too fond of having speakers being all over the place, so there’s always that too.
~No Messy Wires All Over The Place
While sticking to the theme of decluttering, the next advantage that these offer is pretty similar to the previous one, and that’s the added benefit of not having wires all over the place. Now while I did do an article on ways you can actually hide them, why not go a step further and never have to worry about doing so in the first place.
So not only do you save space, but you also don’t have to worry about tripping over unsightly wires.
~Allows You To Maintain The Aesthetics Of Your Room
This one’s a secondary benefit of the first two, but it’s still a welcome one nonetheless.
If you’re fond of the way your room looks now, and don’t really want to change anything about it in the form of speakers and the like, then a pretty nice little benefit is that you still get to enjoy surround sound goodness without having bulky speakers messing with your feng shui.
Why choose between having quality sound or a nice looking room when you can have both?
~Natural Room Acoustics Give Your Sound A Boost
Another advantage to using these kinds of speakers is that due to the fact they don’t have an enclosure or speaker cabinet, the ceiling itself then becomes the enclosure. This allows you to take advantage of the room’s natural acoustics.
If done right, it can actually provide you with a pretty nice bass and treble boost giving you a much livelier sound.
~Less Interference With Objects In The Room Gives You A Purer Sound
In that same vein of improved sound quality, yet another benefit that these offer is less interference.
Since speakers on the ground project sound forward usually, that sound ends up interacting with everything in the room in some way shape or form; with some parts of the sound wave being absorbed while others bounce around.
So by the time the sound actually reaches your ears, it’s a modified version of what the director probably intended for you to hear. Ceiling speakers minimize that greatly since the sound wave doesn’t travel as far, giving you a much purer sound.
Here’s a pretty major draw to these as well; the support for Dolby Atmos.
Now if you’ve never experienced Atmos, then oooh boy you’re in for a treat. It’s honestly a game changer.
Basically it’s an object based sound format used in overhead speakers that allows for sound to become omnidirectional, meaning it can come from anywhere; even above you.
But it’s not just that — the fact that it’s object based means it can provide for some pretty hyper-realistic sounds. So if for example it were raining in a scene, it would calculate and account for each individual rain drop falling from above as it hit the ground.
How Many Different Types Of Ceiling Speakers Are There?
Now when it comes to the number of types, they tend to come in quite a few shapes and sizes that each have their own appropriate applications.
In terms of shape, you’ll most commonly come across 2 distinct ones, round and square shaped.
Most people go for round ones since those are more common than square, but the shape doesn’t really matter when it comes to sound. It’s just a matter of aesthetical personal preference.
For example in an abnormal room with a lot of angles or skylights, a square frame may provide a better fit.
But in a normal room, either or would be fine, so again it won’t matter too much.
What will matter however is their size, and they tend to come in 3 different sizes; 4 inches, 6 inches and 8 inches (though this can vary)
Keep in mind that that size measurement isn’t for the speaker itself, but rather the actual cone inside.
That means that the total speaker size can be a little larger than the listed measurement. It’ll be helpful to remember this (especially if you’re still in the planning stages) since you’ll obviously want to make sure that you have enough space.
That being said, there’s a specific use case for each size speaker.
~4 Inches
4 inch models are compact and less obtrusive than their larger counterparts. If keeping the look of the room the same is important to you, then these are a good option to go with.
But do keep in mind that due to their smaller drivers, they won’t be able to go as loud or as deep as the bigger models can.
~6 Inches
6 inch models are the speakers that offer the best utility because they’re not incredibly large, yet can still deliver a much deeper sound than 4 inch variants.
They’re definitely the best bang for buck when it comes to still being able to hide the speaker while not compromising on actual sound quality.
~8 Inches
However if looks aren’t important and you want the best possible, then the 8 inch model is your best bet. They will typically have the deepest low end and most dynamic audio range.
But this does usually come at a premium so that’s something to keep in mind. They’re also not small, so they will be pretty visible should you choose to go with them.
What To Look For In A Quality One?
So now that we know they come in various shapes and sizes, what exactly should you look for when it comes to getting a quality ceiling speaker?
Well there’s quite a few things to really keep in mind if you plan on getting something that will actually last you.
~Safety
One of the most important things, if not the most important thing, is safety.
Make sure that the wire you’re getting is specifically designed to be compliant with building and fire regulations.
If you’re getting someone to set everything up for you then you won’t have to worry about this, but again don’t buy just any old wire. It should specifically be for this purpose.
~Budget
Budget is obviously important and will likely be one of the biggest factors in your decisions. So decide on a budget beforehand and work within that.
Remember though that this is something that you probably don’t want to skimp on since that might mean taking a hit when it comes to sound quality. So just be cognizant of this.
~Frequency Response
Another pretty important metric that may influence things is the frequency response. This is basically a measurement of how high and low a speaker can go.
The broader the range the better.
You’ll usually see this denoted by 2 different numbers on the right and left. You want the left number to be as low as possible (since this is a measure of the low end) and the right number to be as high as possible (a measure of the high end)
That way you end up getting the most dynamic sound possible.
~The Amount Of Power/Wattage
Wattage can be pretty important too since that’s a measure of the highest amplified output or in other words, the loudest it can go.
Obviously you’ll want this number to be high, but if you can shoot for speakers that have a wattage of at least 90, then volume should be solid in a normal room.
~The Sensitivity Rating
Another somewhat similar thing to look for is the sensitivity.
The higher this number is, the easier it’ll be to power with your receiver; meaning it’ll take much less power to function than a speaker with a low sensitivity.
The lowest you’ll want this number to be is 85 since anything lower will be much harder to power and may result in you having to turn the volume up to the point the audio starts clipping.
So anything 85 and up is what you’ll want ideally (with the higher the better)
~A Speaker That Pivots
What should also be really be high up on your list of necessities is getting ones that are adjustable after installation.
This is especially important because the sound will be projected downwards, and whatever happens to be directly under it (such as hardwood floors or carpets), will undoubtedly have an effect on the sound.
Of course this is unavoidable since it interacts with nearly everything in the room, but being able to aim the tweeter will allow you to get the clearest sound in your specific seating position, even if that position isn’t directly under the speaker.
So if during your search, you happen to come across one where it says it has a tweeter or driver that pivots, then this is what that means.
~Easy To Install
Something that’s easy to install is a plus too, and manufacturers typically make it abundantly clear on either the packaging or item description when this is the case since they’re aware that this is something we would all would prefer.
The less work the better.
~Durable/Weather Proof
You also may want to look into one that’s not only durable in construction, but has some kind of moisture resistant coating, covering, or something like that. This would allot you many more placement options without ever having worry about damaging your speaker.
~Ability To Be Painted
If you really want the speaker to blend in though, yet another thing that could prove helpful is getting one that allows you to paint its grille so that it matches whatever room it’s placed in.
Just because they’re in the ceiling doesn’t mean they have to be an eyesore, so ones that allow you to do this pretty much negate that concern.
~Size & Weight Of the Speaker
The size and weight of the actual speaker is also really important because that’ll usually dictate where it can be placed.
For example if your ceiling is made of drywall, then obviously you won’t be able to get one too heavy or large without it potentially falling. Whereas if your ceiling is made of a more solid material like wood or concrete, you won’t have that issue.
Since most ceiling speakers come with their own mounting materials denoting what materials they can and can’t be placed in, this makes things infinitely easier for you.
However sometimes additional things may be required as well; so if you do set your sights on a particular one you like, make sure that you’re aware of what it needs for installation beforehand.
~Capability Of Stereo Sound
Also depending on your particular usage, you may be interested in one that is capable of stereo sound. If you have a smaller room, this can definitely be helpful because it would allow it deliver stereo sound from only a single speaker which certainly saves space.
These are known as 2 way designs, but there are speakers that have 3 and even 4 way designs, giving even more dynamism from a single source.
~Something That Looks Good
Finally get one that you think looks good!
Obviously I can’t definitively say what looks good or not since that’s completely subjective, but don’t just settle on a speaker that has good specs.
Get one that you actually like the look of and think will look good in your particular room. This might include things like a low profile, smaller bezels, etc.
If it fits your style then get it.
How Many Should You Go With?
Now the amount of speakers that you should go with is going to depend a few things like the size of your room, how large the speaker itself is, what you plan on using it for, etc.
Keep in mind that the smaller the speaker & the bigger the room, the more of them that will be required to get a balanced and pleasing sound. If you have too few speakers and they’re too small, what will happen is you’ll be required to turn it louder just to get to the same volume as opposed to if you had an extra or two.
Plus it wouldn’t be the most pleasing thing in the world for listeners in close proximity either — and might even be distracting since the less of them that you have, the less of a surround sound effect that you’ll get.
Are They Permanent?
Here’s a good question, say you change your mind down the line and decide that you want to instead opt for a conventional system, is it permanent?
Well technically yes and no.
Yes because you’re cutting holes in your ceiling when you’re installing them, and no because you can always undo their installation; you’ll just be left with the holes in your ceiling that you’d need to patch.
So my advice is to make sure that this is something you want to do 100 percent first beforehand, since it’d honestly be a pain to have to undo everything; especially if you had them professionally installed.
How Often Do You Have To Replace Them?
Just in case if you were wondering whether or not these would need to be replaced often or even semi often, the answer is definitely not. Unless they’re defective and somehow short out, you won’t really have to replace these at all.
That being said, keep in mind that the field of audio is always evolving and manufacturers are always coming up with new and exciting ways of innovating on already existing technology.
So just like with normal speakers, it is always possible that a few years down the line an iterative upgrade is introduced that brings some new novel features.
But that’s just the nature of the beast when it comes to technology, so it isn’t something that I would personally worry about (unless you have to have the latest new shiny thing, and in that case.. hey it’s your call)
Where Should You Install Your Ceiling Speakers?
You’ve seen all the benefits that ceiling speakers offer, and whether or not they’d be something you’d be interested in, now question is — where exactly is the most optimal place for them to be installed?
See the great thing about these types of speakers is that they really can be placed anywhere; save for a few exceptions.
Unless they’re weatherproof, you won’t want to place them in environments that are too hot or too cold. This could cause them to malfunction which is obviously no good.
You’ll also want to avoid placing them too close to each other since that could ruin the surround sound effect.
A good rule of thumb is placing them at least 6 feet apart from each other, and equal distances away from the wall of the room going lengthwise.
If you think you won’t be able to place them at least 6 feet apart due to size constraints of the room, then going with a single stereo speaker in the middle of the room also works.
Also unless they have a tweeter that can be aimed like we talked about earlier, make sure that they’re actually installed where your seating position is since the sound will be projected downward and it’ll be wasted if you’re not in the vicinity of them.
Other than that, the rest is really up to you.
Place them in the room where you do the most content viewing. Or if you’re feeling really ambitious, get multiple and have a multi room setup. There’s no shortage of placement options which is why I personally really like them.
How Do You Install Ceiling Speakers?
Here’s one of the more pressing and important questions, how do you install them?
To explain it fully in length would probably take an entirely separate article, but do note that while you certainly can do it yourself, it will be a very involved process and you’ll likely need to set aside a few hours to install them correctly.
But there are plenty of helpful videos that actually details the process.
My suggestion is that if you’ve never done this before though, and don’t feel comfortable, then having a professional do it for you is definitely an easier route.
For example, there are stores that have a service where you can schedule an appointment where a professional comes to your house to map everything out for you, and recommends the best way to go about setting things up based on your room, speakers, and a bunch of other specifics.
Even better is that from there, as long as you actually have the speakers in hand, they can come back another day to install them for you.
That way you don’t have to go through the process of installing them yourself, and in less than a few hours you’ve got yourself an incredible new entertainment system.
How convenient is that?
I’ve used it before and the guy that came was super helpful. Funny thing is, he pointed out a few things that even I didn’t notice at first.
They aren’t the only ones that do this though, since I know that a lot of places or even people offer these kinds of services. It’s really going to depend on your area in regards to which of these you’ll be able to utilize honestly.
But if you’d rather have it done cleanly and quickly, getting a professional to do it is certainly the easiest route.
How Do You Uninstall Ceiling Speakers?
For whatever reason if you do decide to change your mind and want to uninstall them, then can it be done?
Well like we mentioned before they’re a pretty permanent addition, but if you were determined enough, you would just need to make sure everything is unplugged from the receiver before undoing all the wiring and removing the speakers; reversing the process you used to install them essentially.
But just remember the holes in the ceiling from the speaker would still be there unless you managed to patch them up.
How Do You Remove Ceiling Speaker Covers?
This is something that’s less talked about, but over time dust can accumulate inside the speaker grille.
That’s why it’s a good idea every few months or so to remove them in order to wipe any excess dust out.
But how do you remove these covers?
Well one way I like to do it is with something really thin like a paper clip. If you straighten out one end of a paper clip, you should be able to wedge it in between and slowly but surely work your way around the speaker until you’re able to remove the entire thing.
Be gentle doing this of course, since you don’t want to bend or scratch it. But with a little patience, it’s certainly doable.
Are They Okay To Use In A Smaller Room?
Let’s say you were thinking about using these in a smaller room like a bedroom or spare room; would it be a good idea?
The answer to that is absolutely.
Even in smaller rooms, ceiling speakers have their utility — maybe even more so considering they would actually save you more space compared to a traditional 5.1 system. Plus you wouldn’t have to get as many due to the smaller area, while still reaping the benefits of surround sound.
It’s a win win honestly.
Anything Else You Should Keep In Mind?
There’s also a few other things that might be useful to keep in mind.
Like I mentioned earlier, the type of wiring you use matters.
Besides making sure that it’s specifically labeled for in wall use, the thickness of the actual wire is also important.
While 16 gauge is the standard, over greater lengths, a thicker wire is needed to carry the same signal without losses in quality. That’s why I’d recommend going with going 14 or even 12 gauge just to be on the safe side.
With that in mind, again make sure that it’s specifically listed for in wall use. A good indicator of this is if states that it’s UL listed and CL2/CL3 certified.
Also be aware that the wiring is away from any power cords or other wiring in the wall because that can actually cause interference, which can affect sound quality.
While on the topic of wiring, something else you may not be aware of is that if you do plan to use a single speaker, you’ll need to run 2 sets of cables, not just 1. It’s actually a common mistake, so just giving you the heads up beforehand so you don’t do the same.
Another thing you may want to be aware of is whether the speaker you’re looking to get comes with a back box.
What is that?
Well it’s an enclosure that covers the speaker driver either fully or partially that’s specially engineered to improve sound quality, clarity, and volume. It even manages to minimize sound leakage, so you won’t annoy the neighbors during your 2am jam sessions.
They usually come with one included, but in the rare chance that it doesn’t, you can still DIY with a few materials.
Last but not least, ceiling depth matters since that’ll be a big factor in what you’re able to get. At the very least you’ll want a few inches of clearance so that it’ll actually fit in there.
Anyways that pretty much covers everything in regards to helping you to know what to look for.
So with that, that about wraps it up for this one folks. In my opinion, these are the best ceiling speakers for 2023-2024.
Hopefully now that after reading this, you’ll be able to make your own informed decision in terms of what to look for even if none of the above choices are right for you.
I know that they’re not as simple to set up as a standard home theater system, but I’d argue that ceiling speakers not only offer greater utility, but the same sound quality while saving you space.
They really are awesome honestly.
Until next time my friends, make it easy, keep it simple.
Hey everyone it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jay, writer & founder of the site Easy Home Theater. I’ve been with the hobby of home entertainment for many years now. I decided to create this site to be a helpful resource, and share everything that I’ve learned from personal experience with you. I also happen to be a huge gamer, lover of all things tech related, and a major fitness buff (love weightlifting)
