Ceiling Speakers

It is a speaker with a built-in transformer, so a whole group can share one 100V line amplifier over long cable runs in shops, offices and paging systems. The tapping chosen on a speaker sets its volume: the Adastra 952.168UK offers 1.5W, 3W and 6W, and the fire dome 952.205UK adds 0.75W. Models such as the 952.184UK also switch to 8 ohm use.

8 ohm models, because a hi-fi or AV receiver drives low-impedance speakers directly. The Adastra CD Series, such as the 952.534UK, has an adjustable directional tweeter for main or surround channels, and SL Series slimline models such as the 952.548UK sit close to the ceiling. Vanco models such as the IC6-BSC are 8 ohm 6.5" two-way speakers with a titanium dome tweeter.

Yes, the Adastra 953.164UK and 953.165UK Bluetooth sets need no separate amplifier. In the 953.164UK and 953.165UK an active speaker, carrying the Bluetooth receiver and an in-line DC power supply, drives a passive speaker, and the line input and output let further sets be daisy-chained. The 953.137UK set instead uses a WA-215 in-wall amplifier with Bluetooth, USB, microSD playback and an FM tuner.

Yes, if it is built for damp air, such as the Adastra 952.138UK, a 3" metal-framed 100V speaker whose paper cone has a water-resistant coating for washrooms and food preparation areas. The Adastra OD Series water-resistant speakers, such as the IP35-rated 125.032UK, are made for panel mounting in swimming pools and bathrooms, and come as a pair with a gasket and fixing kit.

Speakers certified to EN 54-24, such as the Adastra 952.205UK, a 100V fire dome speaker with an all-metal frame, ceramic screw terminals and fire-resistant cable rated to 95°C. The Bose Professional 841154-0420 lists EN 54-24 among its public-safety features. The Clever Acoustics CRSP14 has a full fire dome and a ceramic connector block for installations that need a fire-resistant specification.

It is a speaker that connects to the network instead of an amplifier, so audio and control travel over an Ethernet cable. The Axis 02323-001 and Hanwha SPA-C100W are powered by PoE and integrate with video surveillance, the Axis with VoIP telephony too, and the Netgenium ASP7201-IP is set up through a web browser with up to nine announcement priority levels.

Not always. Vanco says models such as the IC6-B and IC8-B need no backbox, because the enclosure redirects air from the back of the driver and stops sound bleeding into the next room. Other speakers clamp straight into a suspended or plasterboard ceiling on dog-ear mounts, and the Axis 02323-001 includes an IP44 backbox that meets plenum requirements.

The cut-out depends on the model, so check it before cutting: the Adastra 952.184UK needs 166 mm, the 952.260UK 176mm and the 952.280UK 180mm. Dog-ear mounts or spring clips then grip the ceiling board from behind. Clever Acoustics supply an installation template with speakers such as the CRSP09 and CRSP11, which makes marking the hole simpler.

Use pendant speakers, which hang on a cable below a high ceiling where flush speakers would be inefficient. The Adastra PS Series, such as the 952.426UK and 952.429UK, give 140° dispersion, switch between 100V line tappings and 8 ohm operation, and come with a 4.5m cable and a hook for hanging. Black versions include the 952.427UK and 952.430UK.