Ceiling Speakers

A ceiling speaker system usually pairs flush ceiling speakers with an amplifier that drives them, plus speaker cable and sometimes a wall volume control. Commercial systems often use a 100V line amplifier so many speakers can share one cable run. Home systems typically use 8 ohm speakers driven by a hi-fi or AV receiver. The range here includes ceiling speakers for PA amplifiers and for hi-fi amplifiers.

Mark the position, check the ceiling void is clear of joists, pipes and cables, then cut a hole to the cut-out size the maker gives. Connect the speaker cable to the terminals, push the speaker into the hole and tighten the dog-ear clamps, or let the spring clamps grip the ceiling. Fit the grille last. The range here includes ceiling speakers with dog-ear mounts and spring clamps.

You need enough ceiling speakers to give even sound across the room, which comes down to its size, the ceiling height and how loud it must be. A small room can work with one stereo speaker, while open-plan spaces need several spread evenly. Higher ceilings let sound spread wider, so speakers can sit further apart. The range here includes a single-point stereo speaker for small rooms.

Wire 8 ohm ceiling speakers to the amplifier's outputs, keeping positive and negative the same way round so they stay in phase. A 100V line system usually connects the speakers in parallel along one cable run, with the tapping chosen on a speaker setting its volume. Check the total tappings stay within the amplifier's rated output. The range here includes speakers that switch between line tappings and low-impedance use.

A ceiling speaker is a loudspeaker built to sit flush in a ceiling, with a grille that leaves little on show. It can run from a 100V line amplifier in shops and offices, or from a hi-fi or AV amplifier at home as an 8 ohm speaker. Some types suit bathrooms or voice alarm systems. The range here includes PA, hi-fi, Bluetooth and network ceiling speakers.