In-ceiling speakers

[Ali]

Building an extension / new kitchen dining area and I fancy having some speakers in the ceiling, with a Bluetooth (presumably) control panel

Like this

Adastra Bluetooth Ceiling Speaker Set with WA215 Wall Controller

Adastra 30w Bluetooth Ceiling Speaker Set with In Wall Controller Complete installation set comprising a WA-215 wall amplifier with inbuilt media player and Bluetooth, and a pair of 165mmØ (6.5”) 15W ceiling speakers with 10m speaker cable. Provides a full background music system for discreet...

www.djsupplies.co.uk

Any brands to look out for / avoid? Don’t mind spending a few quid for good quality, but my knowledge of audio equipment is limited to guitar amps.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Building an extension / new kitchen dining area and I fancy having some speakers in the ceiling, with a Bluetooth (presumably) control panel

Like this

Adastra Bluetooth Ceiling Speaker Set with WA215 Wall Controller

Adastra 30w Bluetooth Ceiling Speaker Set with In Wall Controller Complete installation set comprising a WA-215 wall amplifier with inbuilt media player and Bluetooth, and a pair of 165mmØ (6.5”) 15W ceiling speakers with 10m speaker cable. Provides a full background music system for discreet...

www.djsupplies.co.uk

Any brands to look out for / avoid? Don’t mind spending a few quid for good quality, but my knowledge of audio equipment is limited to guitar amps.

As you have to wire power anyway, my preference would be to hardwire decent speakers to a fixed terminal point. You could then drive them in any way you wish.

 

[drjim]

I hardwired adastra speakers and run them off raspberry pi's with hifiberry amps. First batch running picore player but now using hifiberryOS. 3 downstairs rooms and master bedroom, can sync them all up via squeezebox or apple air play. Runs as a spotify client natively. Well worth it.

The adastras are absolutely perfect for the money, put good quality cable in and you can always upgrade the speakers/player if you want.

 

[Ali]

As you have to wire power anyway, my preference would be to hardwire decent speakers to a fixed terminal point. You could then drive them in any way you wish.

Yes, that would be fine - being overwhelmed with the Google results I just copied one of the links over without realising the speakers > panel connection is Bluetooth with that example, the ‘wireless’ but I’m interested in is connecting to the panel. Wired speakers sounds much better.

 

[Parm]

Get a decent Bluetooth speaker, think Bose, expensive but much cheaper and better than a permanent install

 

[Ali]

Get a decent Bluetooth speaker, think Bose, expensive but much cheaper and better than a permanent install

I was hoping DJ Parm might chime in.

But, wouldn't it get dusty / knocked off by the cat / need charging just when I need it?

I have seen those JBL ones though, they look good.

And I can take it around the house I suppose.

 

[Parm]

I was hoping DJ Parm might chime in.

But, wouldn't it get dusty / knocked off by the cat / need charging just when I need it?

I have seen those JBL ones though, they look good.

And I can take it around the house I suppose.

Any good quality Bluetooth speaker will be good.

Despite all the stereos and big sound system I’m looking for a reasonable priced portable solution. Bose is good but I can’t justify the price considering what I’ve got. Seriously gonna pull the trigger on something JBL up to 100 notes.

Look after it and it will do you good, I bought my son a JBL jobbie on his 18th, he’s just turned 21 and it’s survived his first year at uni

I’m sure we will both look after any gadget more than he does

 

[Morrisman]

I put a couple of old speakers in bedroom ceiling of an old house I lived in as a young ‘un. It was amazing how good they sounded, cheap speakers, cheap stereo, but the effect was brilliant, the music just seemed to fill the room, even at very low volume.

 

[ajlelectronics]

The other option is an Alexa device. They are all currently half price and sound quality is stunning, particularly the Echo. It will also work as a Bluetooth speaker if you wish, but my experience is that there is little reason to.

 

[Keithmac]

We have Sonos whole house system, the Move is an excellent portable speaker.

A big BUT though!, I am still on S1, the newer S2 app is an absolute train wreck and has been for last 6 months so really I couldn't recommend their new kit (which is a shame as the hardware is excellent).

 

[brewdexta]

Try Wiim, they have models of streamers with and without power amps, with Bluetooth/WiFi/Spotify etc. and some with Alexa at not silly prices. They sell them at Richer Sounds for the same price as other outlets but with an extra year warranty. If you go to the Wiim Web site there's a matrix of which models have what features.

I've just put one in the workshop, pro plus with the better DAC, because I'm worth it, even if my old ears can't tell the difference

I've just stuck it into the aux of my old Awai amp for now. Comes with a phone app and a remote.

 

[Morrisman]

The other option is an Alexa device. They are all currently half price and sound quality is stunning, particularly the Echo. It will also work as a Bluetooth speaker if you wish, but my experience is that there is little reason to.

I have two Alexa’s, one in the house, one in the garage. I get unlimited Amazon music of my choice for about a tenner a month, and it is probably on for 12 hours a day. A great little gadget.

 

[Domdom]

Amazon Echo - free Amazon music.
Sonos - more expensive but lovely sound. Portable etc.

 

[julianf]

...they have additional benefits.