Waterproof in-ceiling speakers are an excellent choice for people who work in the kitchen or enjoy showering to their favorite songs as a morning routine. If you are looking for a good in-ceiling waterproof speaker, we have prepared this article to give you choices on the market.
Are In-Ceiling Speakers Good?
In-ceiling speakers are increasingly becoming popular as bathroom speaker solutions. This is probably because there are normally no power sources in bathrooms, and the spaces in shelves, floors, or walls may be very limited. When you combine waterproof speakers and ceiling speakers, you have a great combo for any small, wet area in your house.
These speakers are often pretty good and provide solutions to several problems. However, you should consider a steaming control option such as Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, or Apple AirPlay 2 before making a choice.
Best In Ceiling Waterproof Speakers Comparison Table
1. Best Overall: Klipsch CDT-5650-C II
This speaker features a 6.5” pivoting metallic composite woofer with the ability to shift 15 degrees in all directions and 360-degree rotation ability. You, therefore, have more control of optimally aiming your sound in any direction.
In addition, the speaker uses a 1” titanium compression driver with the ability to pivot 100 degrees. Klipsch’s innovative symmetrical patented TrackTrix horns help the speaker focus its high-performance sound more accurately than other twitters in the market.
Also, these speakers are more favorably priced and seamlessly simple to mount in the ceiling. However, the installation kit is sold separately in case you want to try a DIT installation without engaging a technician.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Robust design with attractive slim magnetic grills
- Clean, sleek, elegant, deep prolific sound
- Moveable tweeter
- Tweeters have high frequency response
Cons
- Expensive
2. Most Minimal: Polk Audio RC80i
This speaker is built with an 8” dynamic balance, polymer-composite cone, mineral-filled, with a high-grade rubber surround.
In addition, the mid-bass driver is built with a 1” metallic and a soft-dome tweeter with a 15-degree swivel mount. You, therefore, get a super-wide, well-balanced sound from all listening points.
The robust basket design keeps the moving parts of the speaker in alignment. Besides, the speaker has rotating cams that help secure the speaker in place, especially when suspended from the ceiling. Also, the cams help in quick and straightforward installation and will virtually disappear after the speaker is fitted due to their low-profile build.
Finally, these speakers have more robust construction, rust-resistant, and are made from water-resistant materials.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Flexibility
- Affordable
- Robustly made
- Easy installation
- Durable
- Rubber seal prevents moisture and dust
Cons
- Sound is not that intuitive
- Priced on the higher side
3. Best Bass: Mica M-8C
If you have a large ceiling area and you need about 2, 4, or even as many as six in-ceiling speakers, Mica M-8C is the best choice.
The 2-way in-ceiling speaker has a dedicated woofer and tweeter in its driver array. It, therefore, has a broader frequency response and flexibility in configuring audio signals.
It features a high excursion design that maximizes the speaker dispersion in combination with the woofer. The woofer is about 8 inches in diameter, while the tweeter measures approximately 1 inch. Besides, the tweeter has a soft but rigid dome built to last.
The ceiling speakers can be painted to blend with any environment.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Good quality for the price
- Solid bass
- Tweeters are crystal clear
- Flexible frequency response
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- The grill tends to get loose
- The audio can get scratchy when played at high frequencies
4. Best for Home Theater: Acoustic Audio CS-IC83
This set of speakers is suitable for a large area. If you are not interested in the 2-packs model we have reviewed already, you can go for this 5-piece set from Goldwoods Acoustic Audio.
Each speaker has an 8” woofer, a midrange driver, and a tweeter with 3-way passive crossover circuitry.
The woofers are placed in high-grade butyl surrounds that help in dampening the sound. Besides, the cone is made from rigid polypropylene to support the bass demands of the speaker.
The midrange driver cones are made from Poly-Mica, while the 13 tweeters are built with a soft-dome design suited for high-frequency signals.
Pros
- Good for home theater system due to the three-way design, efficiency and functionality
- Easy to install
- Good sound quality
- Can be used outdoors
Cons
- The bass is below the mark
- The volume can sometimes pop throw the entire sound off
5. Most Flexible: Polk Audio RC65i
Polk Audio RC65i is a step down in size from the RC80i. Although the woofer is smaller at 6.5”, it has a broader dispersion design that will fill bigger spaces.
The cones are made of polymers, mineral-filled, and have excellent rubber surrounds for dampening unwanted resonance. The tweeter is made of a well-mounted traditional soft dome. Besides, it is swivel-mounted to make adjustable positioning easier.
The rotational cams make it much easier to install the speakers. They are waterproofed and can be installed internally and externally in the ceiling.
Pros
- Simple installation
- Great stereo sound even for a small room that can accommodate just one speaker
- Adjustable tweeters make it easy to direct sound
Cons
- Limited frequency response
- Price can be a bit steep for the sound quality it offers
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Check When Buying A Waterproof In-Ceiling Speaker?
When buying waterproof in-ceiling speakers, you need to look for the following features:
- Audio quality
- Lightweight
- Good circuitry
- Easy to install
- Adjustable
How Do I Install Ceiling Speakers?
Modern speakers are designed with enhanced installation convenience that makes installation simple and easy.
You may, therefore, not need a professional to install your ceiling speakers for you. However, it would help if you considered the following factors when installing in-ceiling speakers:
- The number of channels and speakers needed
- A little knowledge about the ceiling space,
- Wiring and pipes required
- Receiver: Connecting your ceiling speaker to a receiver is an easy way to get up and running quickly. You can connect using regular speaker cables, PoE or wirelessly.
- Amplifier: If you are using passive ceiling speakers, then you will need an amplifier. Otherwise, an amp is not needed.
- Subwoofer: A subwoofer is not required for ceiling speakers, but installing one will of course improve the bass response.
- Removing the speakers: Be careful about how you install your ceiling speaker because when it comes around to removing your ceiling speakers, it should be quick and easy enough.
How Often Will I Need To Change In-Ceiling Speakers?
In-ceiling speakers do not need regular replacement. However, you will need to replace them when they blow, short, or get damaged. You can also replace a poorly sounding speaker.
Where Should I Position Ceiling Speakers, And How Far Apart?
When installing ceiling speakers, it is essential to place them at equal distances from each wall, not more than 2 meters from each other, and along the room’s length.
If you have a small room that does not allow the recommended spacing, it would be better to have one stereo ceiling speaker.
Also, if you have an irregularly shaped room, it is advisable to buy speakers with an angle-able tweeter to help you direct the music to habitable areas only.
Do Ceiling Speakers Need Mains Power?
No, ceiling speakers are generally passive speakers. They do not, therefore, have inbuilt amplifiers and receive power through the speaker cables.
