Floor Standing or In Wall speakers

I have both. My in-walls are at the high end - Paradigm reference. My floorstanders are only average. It depends on what you mean by "as good as".

IMO, it is extremely difficult (I'd say impossible) to make the wall as inert as a well designed cabinet. And, it's very difficult to properly place in-walls for optimum listening while also minimizing wall movement.

In walls are a cosmetic choice that function quite well if chosen well and care is taken in their installation. With respect to frequency response and detail - my in-walls (w/ sub) have greater range and as good transparency as my floorstanders. With respect to imaging? No contest. The in-walls are not even close. I can hear the wall movement interfering w/ frequency response. And, trim work, my TV, etc, all interfere w/ the imaging of the in-walls.

All in all, I'm very happy w/ my in-walls. The sound is more than acceptable for movies and casual listening. But, it's nowhere close to that produced my very average floorstanders.

Best,

What about the Meridian A350s?

I have been wondering about this issue myself. I had planned to use a pair of inwalls for the main speakers in a music room, as the existing stereo system uses larger sized speakers, and the second pair of home theater speakers is somewhat cluttered. My only experience with in wall occured 40 years ago, when a friend tried to mount a pair of (AR 3As in wall, between his listening room and the garage. WAF here) All theory aside, it did not sound good at all, soundfield collapsed, and generally was a major disappointment. They were promptly removed, and the wall repaneled.

Home theater has the addional benefit of 5+ channels of sound, which could reduce the soundfield collapse issue.
I just hate to cut holes in the wall, and discover I don't care for the result. Anyone out there with an in wall installation who had used free standing speakers who can comment?

I prefer the imaging from floorstanders (or monitors) deployed in free space. OTOH, Shadorne's observations re: smooth bass response are spot on - in wall placement will make a lot of room related issues in this range "moot". Personally, I use floorstanders and EQ'd subs. This arrangement addresses both issues while still allowing a (reasonably) "purist" signal path for the main speakers. Just my preferred approach. YMMV.

Marty

I'd like to add one more point. Floorstanders placed for best performance will limit sight lines. The arrangement I described in my previous post was for 2 channel use. Given the space restrictions in my home theater room (and I had the same issue in the much larger HT room in my previous home), I've used in-walls (Sonance) or decorative on-walls (Vienna). The former sound quite a bit better than the latter. Caveat: different system, different room.

Marty