Sonos Ceiling Speaker: Guide & Tips For Getting The Most Out of it!

Sonos Ceiling Speaker

The Sonos ceiling speaker is a wireless, portable speaker system that can be mounted to the ceiling or wall. It uses ultrasonic sound waves to deliver high-quality audio wirelessly in your home.

Do you want to know how to use ceiling speakers in your home? This article will tell you how to install ceiling speakers and make the most of them in your home.

What is a Sonos ceiling speaker?

Sonos is a famous audio equipment brand known for its wireless speakers. The Sonos ceiling speaker was launched in late 2017 and has created quite a buzz ever since.

The speaker has been designed to be mounted on the ceiling rather than on the wall or floor to create a 360-degree sound experience.

It also supports Alexa voice control, and it comes with two small subwoofers which can be positioned anywhere in the room to enhance your music listening experience.

How do ceiling speakers work?

Ceiling speakers are an excellent option for those who want to improve the sound quality of their home or office.

They come in many different shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they use a series of drivers (speakers) to produce sound.

The two most common ceiling speakers are the dipole speaker and the line array speaker.

Dipole ceiling speakers use two separate sets of drivers that face each other so that sounds from both sides will be heard as if they were coming from one source.

This is great for music where you need front-to-back stereo separation, but it also produces some weird effects with movies and television shows where there may be no audio on one side at all.

Line array ceiling speakers offer better coverage than dipoles because each driver can cover a larger area with less distortion when compared to individual drivers on a dipole setup.

These are best for general use, especially when listening to music or watching TV/movies. The soundtrack needs good coverage throughout the room rather than just left-to-right stereo separation.

Why use in-ceiling speakers with Sonos?

Some of the advantages of using a ceiling speaker are:

A furniture-free zone for reasonable enjoyment. Don’t you hate it when you are in bed and your neighbor has the radio on?

This will not happen with ceiling speakers as they are hidden (like your TV)—expandable music options.

Your home can be as large or small, so why should you limit yourself to what Sonos offers in terms of formats?

Commercial uses up to 100 watts per channel allow use under kitchen freezers or garage door openers – basically anywhere with electrical components to power the devices.

Why are ceiling speakers popular?

It’s no surprise that ceiling speakers are an increasingly popular audio solution as the market moves away from heavy, bulky amplifiers and cables.

These components can also be extremely costly, to state the least.

The market is expecting a neater solution, which is why marrying Sonos’ award-winning multi-room ecosystem with the convenience of ceiling speakers makes a fantastic partnership.

The hardware separation needs to be considered first. For example, the Sonos Amp is a dedicated external device.

It can fit on your shelf behind/underneath TVs or as another possible surround sound solution hung above/below flatscreen TVs (our recommendations).

Separates stereo speakers from ceiling mount components by utilizing its analog outputs.

Which one is best for you?

The Sonos Amp (£299) allows you to expand the capabilities of your system. It also separating it from walls and other appliances, which could affect sound quality.

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If a separate amp can be avoided (the highest priced option in this guide). There are still some great deals available to those looking down the aisle at 2-mixer packages!

The Music Bot Two+ or Multi-Room Starter Kit (both available for £219) is an excellent example of how this can be accomplished.

Installation is extremely straightforward, and there’s no need to cut holes anywhere in the walls or ceilings.

All speaker mounting hardware (necessary screws + cable cover plates included) comes pre-assembled neatly packaged into one box.

The Music Bot Two+ requires an external power supply with at least 5V DC input, while the Multi-Room Starter Kit runs off a single AC power source.

You can connect directly to the Sonos Amp via analog RCA or optical cable (optional SPDIF and HDMI cables available for £49).

What’s more, the Music Bot Two+ is so small that you could consider it merely a remote distribution hub for all your home entertainment products...and accordingly, of course, it is!

The only real downside about this setup compared with its larger sibling – aside from cost. Of course – is that you’d lose the ability to switch between music/video sources. Set streaming services for individual rooms via its central remote control.

Like other Sonos products, each product in this series does not require any inputs or connections outside of your surround setup, which means no shelf space needed and virtually unlimited usable storage.

Benefits of Ceiling Speakers

  1. There has no clutter in this space. They are entirely taken up of ceiling space because they are installed into the ceiling. You also don’t need to worry about finding space on a cabinet, shelf or avoiding paintings and decorations on the wall.
  2. They can be stored anywhere. You can position them in the exact spot in the room’s ceiling, such as directly above a kitchen island because they do not use mains power like a traditional speaker, so the sound can be concentrated where you need it.
  3. Visual. Because the wires are buried within the ceiling, not only are they pleasant to see, but there are no exposed wires or cables, and thus no accidents. Yes, I’m speaking to you, parents with young children!
  4. There’s no need to waste a lot of money. You don’t need to pay a second mortgage to get an excellent in-ceiling speaker put up. Many cost-saving methods can increase sound quality while keeping costs to a minimum.
  5. Small speakers with a big sound. Ceiling speakers may be small, but they may deliver poor sound quality. The way ceiling speakers are created and the ceiling vacuum goes for a great partnership that delivers stunning impactful bass and treble.

Ceiling speakers connected to a Sonos Amp will appear as their room name in the Sonos app if you already have a Sonos system.

This allows you to centrally and individually manage every aspect of your whole audio setup across your home. Music can be started or switched in each room as quickly as possible.

Choosing a ceiling speaker for your room

Two reasons why you might use a ceiling speaker:

  1. There is no room above or below your main listening area, i.e., in a bedroom, living room, etc.
  2. The sound from your speakers needs to fill all corners of the room. I was interested in using my Sonos music system for movies again, so I needed a solution for this situation.

After considering how much extra money you might pay for custom-cut Alubat bars (as they are mandatory) or an alternative like making square ones yourself.

You can eschew this overpriced option and use a pair of bookshelf speakers from Australian Low Pricing Sound Speakers (LPSS).

For example, we found the Yamaha NS-10 for $399.90 and LPSS InstaBoom for ~$139.00. It was cheap enough to not worry about parallel posts or formaldehyde-releasing materials used in manufacturing them.

It’s excellent brand quality stuff, like highly rated paper substrates at a significantly lower cost – precisely what you’d want for a home stereo setup. 

If you’re looking to get something and don’t spend thousands on speaker stands or exotic hardwood flooring, etc.

The fact that it is one speaker aesthetically suits smaller rooms.

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Because bathrooms and kitchens can generate a lot of steam, heat, and moisture, your speaker must also have resistance to these elements.

The Monitor Audio

The Monitor Audio C180-T2 or the Sonance C6R SST, both steam and moisture resistant, are recommended by Smart Home Sounds.

AWC265-T2 is IP rated, so it can be soaked or wet with no problems if you have complete waterproof protection.

Even though a single stereo speaker is only one unit, you must wire it with two speaker cables. This is the same as a left and right stereo pair.

But it is only available to the single stereo speaker’s single location ( see the wiring diagram further down the page ).

A dedicated stereo pair of speakers would be more helpful in rooms with slightly larger sizes, such as an office, bedroom, or dining room.

This occurs because the stereo separation effect is more significant when you get two distinct speakers.

Sonos made their ceiling speakers, which are seen as Sonos in-ceiling speakers, and they were released in February 2019 at $599 per pair.

These have been custom-designed for the Sonos Amp, and as the components have been matched, you will be able to make the most out of each one.

You’ll also be able to install up to three pairs of these speakers on the Sonos Amp instead of two pairs. If you prefer to use other brands to Sonos, as well as TruePlay tuning.

Authorizing you to optimize your ceiling speakers for the room acoustically they’re in.

C165 or the KEF CI130.2CRs are ideal for most medium-sized spaces if you do not wish to invest this much in your ceiling speakers.

A pair of Sonance C6R 6 speakers with excellent performance per pound would be another option.

A pair of more prominent sized speakers (8 inches) or two pairs of medium-sized speakers (6 inches) are best fitted for large rooms such as a living room or an open plan layout like a kitchen/diner.

The latter 6-inch option is ideal for homeowners seeking to disperse their audio in a vast space evenly.

If you’re hoping to use the space as a social gathering, dinner party, or something similar, you can. If you wish to attain the finest possible audio.

We recommend installing a more prominent (8-inch) speaker, such as the Monitor Audio C280s. It can reproduce darker bass than a similar 6-inch model due to its more significant driver.

Be aware that they get more attention than their shorter 6-inch counterparts because they are physically more significant.

We also provision slim and ultra-slim ceiling speakers if you only need a short amount of space in the ceiling void to play with (under 100mm).

Still, these items are available at a premium because they have to use slimmer components without sacrificing sound quality.

Can I use in-ceiling speakers as the rear surround sound channels to a Sonos Arc or Beam?

It’s crucial to remember that ceiling speakers can be used as your rear speakers if you already own a Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam in your living room.

We recommend selecting ceiling speakers with angle-able tweeters to assure that the sound aims towards where you sit.

Allowable tweeters are available in all Monitor Audio or Sonos’ premium in-ceiling speakers, making them ideal for rear surround pair.

Because they too seat flush, but instead in the wall, in-wall speakers are also a great alternative to standalone rear speakers.

On the Sonos Amp, the configuration of surround speakers is simple. The app will ask you how you prefer to use the Sonos Amp, and you would select “surrounds.”

Sonos Amp will automatically match your Sonos TV speaker when you connect to it.

Connect Amp and Sonos TV speaker

The Connect: Amp and Sonos TV speaker must be wirelessly connected to your router using an ethernet cable if you are using the older Sonos Connect: Amp.

Alternatively, the Connect: Amp and Sonos TV speakers can be attached via ethernet (with one component being attached to the router) or whichever is more convenient.

The settings of Your Connect: Amp must also be tweaked slightly. The Sonos community article contains instructions on how to fix this.

What’s the correct way to wire my room or house for a Sonos in-ceiling speaker setup?

The ceiling speakers are requested, as are an amplifier to power the ceiling speakers and speaker cable.

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We provision various bundles at the best price with these components added, so you don’t have to shop for multiple components.

Ceiling speakers are typically passive speakers, requiring an external source of power to light up.

We wholeheartedly endorse the Sonos Amp when choosing an amplifier to use in conjunction with in-ceiling speakers.

Can I use a Subwoofer with ceiling speakers?

The depth and rumble of the sound will be strengthened by adding a subwoofer to your setup.

We recommend using the Sonos SUB (Gen3) as a walk in the park to add to your existing setup by simply connecting the Sub to mains power and then adding a Sub to your desired room in the Sonos app.

For the price you get, it is also an extremely capable Subwoofer.

However, if you choose to utilize a different Subwoofer, the Amp also incorporates a Sub Out for direct connection to your Subwoofers.

How can I get better sound quality from my Sonos ceiling speaker?

If you use the Sonos ceiling speaker, there is a way to improve sound quality.

First, make sure that your phone or device is connected to your wireless network, and then turn on your Sonos speaker.

  1. Next, click on the cog in the top right corner of the app and select “Sound Quality.”
  2. Then choose “Manual Setup” from the menu.
  3. Then select “Input Device.” The input device should be set to HDMI 1 (device)
  4. Now you can connect your device to the HDMI port of your Sonos speaker.

Is it a good idea to use Sonos ceiling speaker in the kitchen?

Sonos is a wireless speaker system that allows you to play music from your smartphone, computer, or tablet.

Sonos speakers are popular because they can be placed anywhere in the home and allow for multi-room audio.

Using a Sonos ceiling speaker in the kitchen is that there is not enough space to install them properly without blocking other things like vents and light fixtures.

Do ceiling speakers need enclosures?

The answer to this question is no. Ceiling speakers don’t need enclosures because they are not in direct contact with the ceiling. It means that sound will reflect off of them and go into the room without any problems.

How do ceiling speakers connect to a receiver?

Speakers are typically connected to a receiver via speaker wire. The main difference is that speakers use a 3.5mm audio jack, while receivers use RCA jacks.

Speakers are sometimes backward compatible and can be connected to older receivers such as Sony AVRIX1. But some speakers only work with certain brands or models.

Are ceiling speakers required in the kitchen? Leading voices of the home theater movement say no. Believing that less expensive component speaker systems will get better results than compact loudspeaker kits.

However, most agree that it is best to install a high-end kit from the get-go for the overall fantastic sound quality.

A few companies, including Definitive Technology and Paradigm Acoustics, offer ceiling speaker options made for more than one environment. Such as 3D Surround TV systems that work both in a living room theater and a kitchen (dining room system).

For example, One company offers remote wireless / wired surround sound kits designed to enhance your home theatre experience anywhere you want with ABX technology.

7 Kind of speakers

There are many types of ceiling speakers that can be used for various purposes. Some of the most common ones are:

1. Standing Speakers

2. Satellite Speakers

3. Powered Bookshelf Speakers

4. Wall Mounted Speakers

5. Floor Standing Speaker

6. In-wall Speakers

7. Beehive Floorstanding Speaker

Can you use Sonos ceiling speakers without an amp?

No, you cannot use Sonos ceiling speakers without an amp. This is because the Sonos sound system uses the digital-to-analog converter to amplify the sound signal before it enters your speakers.

To connect your Sonos speakers to a receiver or amplifier. You will need to plug them into an RCA jack on the back of your device. Then connect that cable to another input on your receiver or Amp.

Can I use a Subwoofer with ceiling speakers?

The depth and rumble of the sound will be strengthened by adding a subwoofer to your setup.

We recommend using the Sonos SUB (Gen3) as a walk in the park to add to your existing setup by simply connecting the Sub to mains power. Then adding a Sub to your desired room in the Sonos app.

For the price you get, it is also an extremely capable Subwoofer. However, if you choose to utilize a different Subwoofer. The Amp also incorporates a Sub Out for direct connection to your Subwoofers.

Conclusion

In summary, the Sonos system is an innovative and great alternative to traditional TV soundbars. We love everything about it but would recommend upgrading one of your speakers.

If you feel they are not up to scratch (maybe the speaker on the back). If a little bit more money seems like too much, then we’d recommend just getting a Sonos SUB instead – still a perfect option.

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