Best Monitor Audio Ceiling Speakers

November 13 2019, by Sam Taylor, 17 min reading time

When it comes to transforming a living space with high-fidelity sound, few names resonate as strongly as Monitor Audio. For decades, this British audio specialist has earned a reputation for crafting loudspeakers that blend acoustic excellence with refined design. But it’s in the world of custom installation where their innovation truly shines. From ultra-discreet in-ceiling speakers that bring immersive audio to open-plan living areas, to in-wall solutions engineered for both performance and architectural harmony, Monitor Audio has become a go-to choice for installers, designers, and audio enthusiasts alike. Their commitment to advanced driver technology, meticulous engineering, and aesthetic versatility sets a benchmark for what modern built-in sound systems can be. Whether you're crafting a dedicated home cinema or elevating whole-home audio, Monitor Audio stands out as a leader ready to deliver sound that’s as inspiring as the spaces it fills.

In 2023, Monitor Audio launched a brand new line of architectural loudspeakers known as Creator Series. These all-new in-ceiling and in-wall models build on Monitor Audio's long heritage of acoustic innovation, introducing fresh engineering, smarter installation features, and a simplified tiered structure that makes it easier than ever to match performance to the demands of any space. Designed to deliver refined, room-filling sound while remaining discreet within the architecture, the Creator Series represents a modern, flexible approach to custom-installed audio - balancing installer convenience with the high-fidelity performance Monitor Audio is known for.

There are 14 Monitor Audio Creator Series ceiling speaker models across 3 tiers to suit a range of budgets, specifications, and applications. As well as all-new accessories including, for the first time, surface mount enclosures. Creator Series replaces all previous ceiling speaker models with the exception of the entry-level 100-Series and IP rated all-weather AWC-Series.

100-Series

Entry-level ceiling speakers which offer great Monitor Audio sound on a budget.

C165

Featuring a 6.5" bass driver and pivoting 1" C-CAM tweeter, the C165 has long been a go-to ceiling speaker for clear, dynamic performance on a budget.

C180

Featuring an 8" bass driver and pivoting 1" C-CAM tweeter, the C180 delivers a clear, full, and dynamic sound on a budget.

C165-T2

Featuring a 6.5" bass driver and twin pivoting 1" C-CAM tweeters, the single stereo C165-T2 is perfect for budget conscious installations which require a single speaker connected to a stereo amplifier.

All-Weather AWC-Series

Weather resistant IP rated ceiling speakers for outdoor environments, pools, marine applications, bathrooms and showers.

	AWC265 Featuring a 6.5" bass driver and 1" C-CAM tweeter with a weather resistant IP55 rated design, the AWC265 can be used in outdoor environments, pools, marine applications, bathrooms and showers, thanks to its ability to withstand salt spray, UV light, water, vibration, and corrosion.
	AWC265-T2 Featuring a 6.5" bass driver and twin 1" C-CAM tweeters, the AWC265-T2 provides single stereo operation in an all-weather IP55 rated design. Perfect for bathrooms, showers, pools, marine applications, and outdoor environments, thanks to its ability to withstand salt spray, UV light, water, vibration, and corrosion.
	AWC280 Featuring an 8" bass driver and 1" C-CAM tweeter with a weather resistant IP55 rated design, the AWC280 can be used in outdoor environments, pools, marine applications, bathrooms and showers, thanks to its ability to withstand salt spray, UV light, water, vibration, and corrosion.
	AWC280-T2 Featuring an 8" bass driver and twin 1" C-CAM tweeters, the AWC280-T2 provides single stereo operation in an all-weather IP55 rated design. Perfect for bathrooms, showers, pools, marine applications, and outdoor environments, thanks to its ability to withstand salt spray, UV light, water, vibration, and corrosion.

Creator Series Tier 1

Designed for cost-effective installations, where product simplicity and solid acoustic performance is required.

C1S

This small Tier 1 ceiling speaker features a compact 5" driver. It is ideal for cost effective installations in smaller rooms, or where a small diameter speaker is required. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.

C1M

This medium Tier 1 ceiling speaker features a class-leading 7" driver. It is ideal for cost effective installations in medium sized rooms, and provides a good balance between size and performance. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.

C1L

This large Tier 1 ceiling speaker features a class-leading 9" driver. It is ideal for cost effective installations in large rooms, and systems which require maximum bass performance and power handling. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.

Creator Series Tier 2

Designed to deliver pristine, engaging acoustics where high-performance sound is a key requirement.

	C2S This small Tier 2 ceiling speaker features a compact 5" driver. It is ideal for high quality installations in smaller rooms, or where a small diameter speaker is required. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.
	C2M This medium Tier 2 ceiling speaker features a class-leading 7" driver. It is ideal for high quality installations in medium sized rooms, and provides a good balance between size and performance. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.
	C2L This large Tier 2 ceiling speaker features a class-leading 9" driver. It is ideal for high quality installations in large rooms, and systems which require maximum bass performance and power handling. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.
	C2M-T2X This medium Tier 2 single stereo ceiling speaker features a class-leading 7" driver and twin C-CAM tweeters. It is ideal for high quality installations where a single stereo speaker is required, or as a bi-pole/di-pole surround channel for home cinema applications when set to movie mode. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.
	C2L-T2X This large Tier 2 single stereo ceiling speaker features a class-leading 9" driver and twin C-CAM tweeters. It is ideal for installations that require a high performance single stereo speaker, or as a large bi-pole/di-pole surround channel for home cinema applications when set to movie mode. A shallow mounting depth of only 99mm ensures maximum installation flexibility.
	C2M-CP This medium Tier 2 ceiling speaker features a class-leading 7" driver and Controlled Performance fully sealed back box. It is ideal for high quality installations that require sonic consistency regardless of the interior ceiling construction, or where superior sound isolation between rooms and floors is required.
	C2L-CP This large Tier 2 ceiling speaker features a class-leading 9" driver and Controlled Performance fully sealed back box. It is ideal for high performance installations that require sonic consistency regardless of the interior ceiling construction, or where superior sound isolation between rooms and floors is required.

Creator Series Tier 3

Designed to deliver premium high-fidelity sound where maximum performance and the highest quality audio is required.

	C3M This medium Tier 3 ceiling speaker features the latest 3-way design with a class-leading 7" RDT III bass driver, 4" IDC II midrange driver, and 1" IDC II tweeter. It is ideal for premium installations in small/medium sized rooms, and provides the same outstanding high fidelity performance and acoustic transparency found in Monitor Audio’s premium loudspeaker ranges.
	C3L This large Tier 3 ceiling speaker features the latest 3-way design with a class-leading 9" RDT III bass driver, 4" IDC II midrange driver, and 1" IDC II tweeter. It is ideal for premium installations in medium/large sized rooms requiring maximum performance, and provides the same outstanding high fidelity audio and acoustic transparency found in Monitor Audio’s premium loudspeaker ranges.
	C3L-CP This large Tier 3 ceiling speaker features the latest 3-way design with a class-leading 9" RDT III bass driver, 4" IDC II midrange driver, and 1" IDC II tweeter. The Controlled Performance fully sealed back box ensures sonic consistency regardless of the ceiling construction, as well as superior sound isolation between rooms and floors, for uncompromised premium high fidelity audio.
	C3L-A Specifically designed for home theatre and multi-channel music systems, the C3L-A features an angled 3-way drive unit assembly to deliver focused high fidelity audio, making it perfect for discreet LCR applications. With a class-leading 9" RDT III bass driver, 4" IDC II midrange driver, and 1" IDC II tweeter, the C3L-A delivers uncompromised premium home theatre audio, invisibly.

Creator Series Accessories

The following accessories are available for Creator Series in-ceiling speakers.

	CSM-BOX MDF back box for small and medium Creator Series ceiling speakers (except CP models). Provides optimal air volume for consistent performance. NB: MDF enclosures do not satisfy building regulations for fire protection where required.
	CML-BOX MDF back box for medium and large Creator Series ceiling speakers (except CP models). Provides optimal air volume for consistent performance. NB: MDF enclosures do not satisfy building regulations for fire protection where required.
	Square Grilles Creator Series ceiling speakers can be specified with square grilles in either white or black as an optional extra.
	Black Grilles Black grilles are available as an optional extra for all Creator Series in-ceiling speakers. Ideal for cinema rooms painted in dark colours.

Creator Series Mount Boxes

Creator Series Mount Boxes allow simple delivery of audio in spaces where fully integrated, built-in solutions aren’t an option. Surface mount any non-CP Creator Series in-ceiling speaker with Monitor Audio's dedicated Mount Box enclosures.

	CS Mount Box Surface mount box compatible with Creator Series C1S and C2S in-ceiling speakers. Provides exact air volume for optimum acoustic performance in any environment. Available in Matte Black and Satin White.
	CM Mount Box Surface mount box compatible with Creator Series C1M, C2M, and C2M-T2X in-ceiling speakers. Provides exact air volume for optimum acoustic performance in any environment. Available in Matte Black and Satin White.
	CL Mount Box Surface mount box compatible with Creator Series C1L, C2L, and C2L-T2X in-ceiling speakers. Provides exact air volume for optimum acoustic performance in any environment. Available in Matte Black and Satin White.
	CL-D Mount Box Surface mount box compatible with Creator Series C3L and C3L-A in-ceiling speakers. Provides exact air volume for optimum acoustic performance in any environment. Available in Matte Black and Satin White.

Our Top 5 Monitor Audio Ceiling Speakers

	C165 The C165 might be the entry-level Monitor Audio ceiling speaker, but it still offers great sound quality and a lovely detailed sound on a budget.
	AWC265-T2 With its single stereo design and rugged water resistant IP55 rating, the AWC265-T2 is the perfect single speaker for a bathroom or shower.
	C1M With a best-in-class 7" driver, but no larger overall than the previous 6.5" model, this all-new medium Tier 1 Creator Series model has the very latest features and superb audio quality at this price point.
	C2L The C2L is arguably one of the best Creator Series models when it comes to price versus performance. With a huge 9" RST II mid-bass driver, but still only requiring a mounting depth of 99mm, the C2L provides outstanding audio performance in a smart, flexible design.
	C3L The C3L is one of the best sounding ceiling speakers on the market. If audio performance and high fidelity sound are paramount, then the C3L will not disappoint. With a 3-way design featuring a 9" bass driver, 4" mid, and 1" tweeter, the C3L can deliver pristine Hi-Fi sound. "The C3L speakers produced some of the best sound I’ve heard from in-ceiling speakers, with crystalline detail" - John Sciacca, ecoustics

Need help with an installation?

Here at Ceiling Speaker World, we know that custom installed audio can be a daunting proposition if you have never used these products before. If you have a project that requires in-ceiling or in-wall speakers, but don't know where to start, then get in touch with our knowledgeable team. We can help guide you through the process and recommend appropriate products for your requirements.

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