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Making the best of mediocre speakers

I want to get the best system I can, given unfortunate constraints. I'm building a new 2-channel listening system in a new apartment, and my wife insists the speakers in our 17x23 living-room must be in-walls. They fit into a particular lowered soffit, so they'll be installed just above head height. The Sonance Z4s are the best I could find to fit the area; they're OK, but obviously this is a compromise.

So I am planning on a nice subwoofer (which, btw, must also be in-wall), maybe by James, to beef things up. Then about 3K for separates--I am considering a Rowland 102 amp, a Rogue Audio Perseus preamp, and a Cambridge or NAD CD.

My question is, am I wasting money, given the in-wall speakers and placement? Do a nice sub and electronics make up for the speakers? Or should I throw in the towel and just get an Arcam Solo or something?

Many thanks.
price
jdoris
972 posts
 
Vandersteen makes two models of "surface mount" speakers; perhaps worth a look.

As someone who managed apartments for eight years, I'd anticipate neighbor issues with in-wall speakers (though I'm not familiar with the installation options). As has already been noted, the possibilities for difficulty of this sort with an in-wall make the blood curdle. When such noise issues arise, they can be *extremely* difficult to resolve, and incredibly stressful.

I wonder if you and your spouse might agree on near wall specific speaker like North Creek. With NC, one can choose one's veneer, and the end result can be very decor friendly, and minimally consumptive of space -- at least I think so; you can judge yourself with a look at my system pics. The price point can be attractive too.

Best of luck,

John
martykl
3,578 posts
 
The Vienna Schoenberg on wall speakers are actually pretty striking. I installed them in my theater room (in the gloss black finish) and my wife LOVES them as a decor element. No one is going to confuse these for SOTA free standers, but they do sound pretty good.

Good Luck

Marty

PS - The comment re: neighbors is critical. In wall subs may start a full on war. Actually, floor standing subs can do that - I've been there.
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
I change my statement, if large on walls are acceptable, Id also go with Magnepan. Fantastic speakers.
jdoris
972 posts
 
Marty is right that one doesn't need in-walls to start a feud with neighbors. I'd expect in-wall would be less problematic for a wall that did not communicate with another apt. (in addition, construction details might prevent installation for some communicating walls), but I'd in general expect in-walls to transmit more vibration, all else equal. John
price OP
31 posts
 
Thanks everyone.
It's an apartment I own, and the walls in question are interior to the apartment, so no neighbor issues, luckily!

The main problem is that due to the weird layout of the room, with doorways and so on, there is no real area to do a proper wallmount, only this soffit. The soffit however is only about 8 3/4" tall, which means that, even assuming the speakers would be mounted on their sides, is quite a limiting factor. It certainly means a subwoofer is crucial, as these are essentially tweeters alone, at that size. I think the Magnepans don't fit that area...

I've been looking into B&W, which has some decent sounding in-walls that may fit; paired with a good sub it might just be possible. If anyone knows of a small in or on wall speaker with an positionable tweeter, that would be amazing.
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