We are often asked where ceiling speakers should be positioned for the best audio performance and acoustics. Because every space is unique, there are no single right or wrong answers. Instead, we recommend following a few basic guidelines and using a common-sense approach. The ideal placement will depend on several factors, including room dimensions, layout, furniture, ceiling construction, aesthetic preferences, and possibly TV location.

Please note that some of the information in this article refers specifically to passive ceiling speakers connected to a separate amplifier (or amplifiers). The majority of ceiling speaker systems are passive, but the positioning guidelines will also apply to active speakers.

Recommendations & Top Tips

Number of Speakers

Although slightly off topic, we should probably briefly discuss the number of speakers you are likely to need for each room. The most important thing to remember is that stereo amplifiers do not like uneven loads. Stick with 2, 4 or 6 speakers (1, 2 or 3 stereo pairs) depending on the size of the space. Eg. Bedroom - 2 speakers, Kitchen/Dining - 4 speakers, Large Kitchen/Dining/Living - 6 speakers. You can put a single speaker in a very small room like an en-suite bathroom, but it must be a single stereo speaker wired accordingly (like a stereo pair).

Even Distribution

Ceiling speakers radiate sound 360° in all directions and have a wide dispersion angle. When it comes to positioning, a good analogy is to think of them like downlights. You wouldn't position all your lights around the edge of a room, or bunch them together in the centre. You would space them evenly and away from walls to create a consistent brightness level throughout the room. The same is true for ceiling speakers. You want to position them so they provide an even distribution of sound across the space.

The Boundary Effect

Don't position ceiling speakers too close to a wall if possible. Doing so will create a 'boundary effect' which compromises the speaker's frequency response. Position your speakers in locations that provide good coverage for the space, and far enough apart to create a good stereo soundstage. For example, if your room is 4m x 4m then positioning your speakers 2m apart in the middle of the room would be about right.

Open Plan Areas

When installing 4 or more speakers in an open plan area, try and position them as best as you can for even coverage. But also consider that you might want a stereo pair in each area so you can enjoy a stereo soundstage while in the kitchen or sitting on the sofa.

Dual Mono Mode

Many streaming amplifiers like the Sonos Amp feature a Dual Mono mode which sums the left and right signals, so each speaker output is a mono output of both channels. While a stereo setup will provide a slightly more involving sound, a mono setup can be beneficial if listening zones are near individual speakers or a stereo layout is not practical.

Consider TV Audio

If using ceiling speakers for TV audio as well as music, consider placing them at an equal distance left and right of the TV for best stereo imaging. And make sure the speakers are wired left and right as you look at the TV so the sound will follow the on-screen action.

Obstructions

Don't worry if you can't position your speakers exactly where you would like. Lighting, air vents, skylights, timbers and steels are often obstacles which impact positioning. Fortunately, ceiling speakers have a wide dispersion and will still sound great if not positioned exactly in the ideal location. Many ceiling speakers also feature pivoting tweeters which allow you to direct the high frequency sound back towards the listening area to adjust for any off-axis positioning.

Vaulted Ceilings

Ceiling speakers can be installed into any timber and plasterboard construction, so a vaulted ceiling (or even in-wall) is not a problem as long as you have the required mounting depth. For a vaulted ceiling, a speaker with a pivoting tweeter may be beneficial to direct the sound down and compensate for the angle of the ceiling.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics may also be important, so consider installing speakers in-line with downlights for example. But do bear in mind that lights may not be installed in the middle of timbers as the speaker would need to be, so factoring the speakers into your electrical layout is recommended.

Example Layouts

Bedroom - 2 Ceiling Speakers

A typical bedroom, say 15m² (or a similar sized room), is best with 2 ceiling speakers positioned centrally for maximum performance and coverage.

Open Plan Kitchen & Living (with TV) - 4 Ceiling Speakers

A typical open plan area, say 30m², like a modern kitchen and living space, will need 4 speakers (2 stereo pairs) for good coverage and audio performance. This layout provides a stereo pair for the kitchen area, and a stereo pair for the lounge area. The lounge area speakers are positioned to provide optimum TV audio.

Open Plan Kitchen & Dining (no TV audio) - 4 Ceiling Speakers

Similar to the above kitchen/living layout, but because the room is more square, there is no TV audio required, and the dining table is positioned horizontally, a square speaker layout with two mirrored pairs is more logical.

Large L-Shaped Open Plan Kitchen, Dining & Living (with TV) - 6 Ceiling Speakers

Large L-shaped open plan spaces may well require 6 speakers for best coverage. Simply treat each area as a separate zone, and position a stereo pair of speakers accordingly in that space based on how it is occupied and used. The following example includes a kitchen, dining area, and lounge area with TV.

Please note that using 6 speakers on one amplifier will require a powerful amp like the Sonos Amp. It may also be necessary to install a 3-way speaker switch to ensure a safe amplifier load. A switch can also be beneficial if you want to switch speaker pairs (zones) on and off.

Small L-Shaped Open Plan Kitchen, Dining & Living (with TV) - 4 Ceiling Speakers

A smaller L-shaped open plan kitchen, dining and living space might only need 4 ceiling speakers. However if the kitchen and dining areas share a stereo pair, it is generally a good idea to use Dual Mono mode on the amplifier if available. This will make sure the sound remains consistent in both zones, and that you don't hear mostly a left or right channel only.

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• Tweet
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email

---