Anybody using the RCi series in-wall speakers?

[ROHfan]

I was thinking about adding two pair of M30s as rears and front heights but the wife's not to keen on the way they're gonna look. When I showed her the RCi in-wall speakers she said that they looked great and she could really go for them. Plus, they're paintable. They would integrate nicely when we re-do our living room since we're installing new sheetrock and alll the wires would be hidden in the walls.

However, I'm concerned about the sound quality. I'm looking at the RC85i's for the rears and RC55i's for front heights as I've read they're timbre-matched to the Monitor line (I have M60 fronts). How would they compare to using the M30s? I know I'd probably lose some cabinet resonance but I have no experience with in-walls. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[disneyjoe7]

I use RC65i's in a bedroom, but not for HT. But that's not to say you couldn't do a nice in-wall HT system. I thinking you should do a RC85's in front and place the RC55i's in the back. You could add a RC85i for the front speaker. If you're re-doing a wall, I would build 2x4 between the studs so you have a box in the wall for the speaker.


Not sure what the budget is but a LCi in-wall system is really sweet.

[ROHfan]

I use RC65i's in a bedroom, but not for HT. But that's not to say you couldn't do a nice in-wall HT system. I thinking you should do a RC85's in front and place the RC55i's in the back. You could add a RC85i for the front speaker. If you're re-doing a wall, I would build 2x4 between the studs so you have a box in the wall for the speaker.


Not sure what the budget is but a LCi in-wall system is really sweet.

I plan on keeping my M60 fronts and CS10 center and just adding the in-walls everywhere else in the system. Unfortunately the LCi's aren't in my budget, especially since we're going to Disney a week from Friday!

[disneyjoe7]

Ok but still add 2x4 blocking up and down from speaker location to build a box, and add some insulation in the wall behind speaker.

[Issa]

I was thinking about adding two pair of M30s as rears and front heights but the wife's not to keen on the way they're gonna look. When I showed her the RCi in-wall speakers she said that they looked great and she could really go for them. Plus, they're paintable. They would integrate nicely when we re-do our living room since we're installing new sheetrock and alll the wires would be hidden in the walls.

However, I'm concerned about the sound quality. I'm looking at the RC85i's for the rears and RC55i's for front heights as I've read they're timbre-matched to the Monitor line (I have M60 fronts). How would they compare to using the M30s? I know I'd probably lose some cabinet resonance but I have no experience with in-walls. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hello,

Installed four RC85i's yesterday and they sounded really good. I checked all the Polk in-wall speakers before pulling the trigger and if you haven't yet, I'd recommend you do that first.

Here's my take:
RC85i: Sound really good for in-wall and price. Nice low bass that you can feel at the higher volume. I'd driven them by 135wpc full blast and they still wouldn't distort and sounded good doing so.

RC65i: Same as the 85i's but a little less low bass and a little more mid-bass. Sound good too.

RC55: Wasn't impressed and wouldn't recommend these to anybody unless they are restraint by install space. Only few bucks cheaper than the 65i's so I'd go with those first.

I know the front heights aren't going to be utilized a whole lot but I'd go with the 65i's there as they are few bucks more than the 55i's like I already worte and use the 85i's for the back like you are planning. The whole will play well with the M60 and the whole system will sound great. The CS10 might have to be pumped up to the CS20 at some point to get better HT sound. So, the only thing I'd change is to use the 65i's for front heights and consider uping the CS10 to CS20.

Good luck.

[ROHfan]

Hello,

Installed four RC85i's yesterday and they sounded really good. I checked all the Polk in-wall speakers before pulling the trigger and if you haven't yet, I'd recommend you do that first.

Here's my take:
RC85i: Sound really good for in-wall and price. Nice low bass that you can feel at the higher volume. I'd driven them by 135wpc full blast and they still wouldn't distort and sounded good doing so.

RC65i: Same as the 85i's but a little less low bass and a little more mid-bass. Sound good too.

RC55: Wasn't impressed and wouldn't recommend these to anybody unless they are restraint by install space. Only few bucks cheaper than the 65i's so I'd go with those first.

I know the front heights aren't going to be utilized a whole lot but I'd go with the 65i's there as they are few bucks more than the 55i's like I already worte and use the 85i's for the back like you are planning. The whole will play well with the M60 and the whole system will sound great. The CS10 might have to be pumped up to the CS20 at some point to get better HT sound. So, the only thing I'd change is to use the 65i's for front heights and consider uping the CS10 to CS20.

Good luck.

Good, solid advice and input. 85 rears and 65 fronts heights will probably be what I go for when I do the project. You're right about a few bucks more for the 65s, good point. The distance from the the in-wall speakers to the ceiling should be consistent, no? Or should the front heights be positioned slightly higher than the rears?

Disneyjoe: I will definitely add the 2x4s and insulation as you've recommended. Should some kind of barrier material be placed between the insulation and the speakers to protect from dust buildup? Don't want insulation getting into the cones.

[Issa]

What is the room dimension? Location of rear speakers and the listening position; couch against the back wall?

Either location will work for the front height speakers but try to have them close to 45 degrees above and 45 degrees wide from listening position. This will likely put them slightly above surrounds and a little wider than front speakers. The tweeters swivel and should be adjusted to pointed to the listening area.

ideal home listening rooms are rare but one can still get great sound stage so there is some flex there.

[inthewoods]

I have RC60i's for rears mounted in a 9' ceiling... they sound great!

[dragon1952]

I've got 5 x RC85i's and I like them very much for HT. You can sometimes find some killer deals on Ebay, like around $150-$160 per pair, shipped.

[ROHfan]

What is the room dimension? Location of rear speakers and the listening position; couch against the back wall?

Either location will work for the front height speakers but try to have them close to 45 degrees above and 45 degrees wide from listening position. This will likely put them slightly above surrounds and a little wider than front speakers. The tweeters swivel and should be adjusted to pointed to the listening area.

ideal home listening rooms are rare but one can still get great sound stage so there is some flex there.

13x13, couch against back wall, rears on side walls 1 foot off the back wall facing in towards listening position.

[Issa]

Nice setup and flexible.

My bad. What's the ceiling height, location of center, how wide apart the M60's and is main listening coach about 7' wide?

As you are still in the planning phase, you have lots of choices but that also will be somewhat retricted to where you can install (studs and what have you) so only you can decide what the best location is.

Front heights better to be a little higher than the surrounds but same height will also work. Front-back symmetry was a consideration but didn't do it and glad I didn't. Vertical symmetry doesn't look half bad and gives good 3d sound stage.

The tweets of the M60's are roughly 3' off the ground. Surrounds better not to be too high up the wall and front height not too close to the fronts height wise.

I'd call Polk support and they are very helpful in giving advice. They did for me before my install. But depending on the ceiling height, the surrounds probably don't need to be too high and the front heights about a little higher and around a foot or so from the corners. Not talking big discrepancies but it does add up. Since the speakers will not be facing each other, you have lots of choices.

Again, aim the tweeters to listening area and it wouldn't be bad at all from reflecting off the walls.

Good luck.

[Issa]

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear but my reasoning is that it's better to have separation between the fronts, center and front heights but at the same time not to disperse. You don't want it to sound like one big speaker upfront. Not knowing all the details and of course it is up to you and yours to decide. Same height will work well too and I think you'll get it right.

Have fun.