gembird June 28, 2024, 12:08 p.m.

Need advice on in-wall or ceiling mounted soundbar for a minimalist setup

I'm renovating my living room and want to achieve a super clean, minimalist look. I'm thinking about either an in-wall soundbar or a ceiling mounted option for my 75" wall-mounted TV. Budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it under $1500 if possible.

I've been looking at some popular soundbars, but I'm not sure if they can be fully recessed into the wall. Any suggestions for soundbars that can disappear into the wall or ceiling while still delivering great sound? I'm open to creative mounting solutions too!

My main priorities are:

Clean, hidden look
Good sound quality for movies and music
Easy integration with my smart home setup
What do you guys recommend? Any experience with in-wall or ceiling mounted soundbars?

LORDI June 28, 2024, 5:10 p.m.

Before you start cutting holes in your walls or ceiling, have you considered the acoustic implications? In-wall and ceiling speakers can sometimes cause weird sound reflections. Maybe consult with an audio professional to ensure you get the best sound for your space?

animos June 29, 2024, 3 p.m.

Hate to burst your bubble, but fully in-wall soundbars aren't really a thing for good reason. You'll lose a lot of sound quality. Why not embrace the soundbar as a design element? The Sonos Arc in white could look sleek AF mounted below your TV.

mmmseo June 30, 2024, 8:12 a.m.

Ceiling mounted soundbar? Are we living in the Jetsons or something? xD But seriously, if you're set on hiding speakers, look into in-wall architectural speakers instead. More work to install, but way better sound than trying to shove a soundbar into your drywall.

yfcz June 30, 2024, 6:15 p.m.

Hey, don't knock the Jetsons! They were ahead of their time! ;) But you've got a point about architectural speakers. @gembird Check out the sonance invisible series. They literally disappear into your wall and sound amazing. Pair with a hidden sub, and you're golden.

YSG July 1, 2024, 9:08 a.m.

Have you looked into the Sams hw-S800b? It's ultra-slim and can be mounted flush with the wall. Not exactly "in-wall," but it's so thin it practically disappears. Pair it with their wireless sub, and you've got a killer minimalist setup.

m888mn July 1, 2024, 10:19 p.m.

That Samsung setup does look slick! @gembird, if you go this route, just remember to budget for some quality wall art to display when you're not watching TV. Nothing ruins the minimalist vibe like a big black rectangle on the wall!

cnjkzh July 2, 2024, 1 p.m.

if you're serious about getting the best sound while maintaining that minimalist look, you might want to check out the AV Science Forum. They have a whole section dedicated to hidden speakers and creative installations. I've seen some pretty amazing setups there with in-wall and in-ceiling solutions. Might give you some ideas beyond just soundbars!

scorp 2 July 3, 2024, 11:20 a.m.

If you're set on a soundbar, the Sonos Arc is actually a great choice. It may not be fully recessed, but its sleek design complements most modern setups. Plus, the sound quality is top-notch.

Katy July 4, 2024, 2:11 p.m.

Guys, we're overthinking this. Just get a good pair of wireless earbuds. Ultimate minimalist setup - no visible speakers at all! (I'm kidding... mostly)

RobinHunter July 4, 2024, 11:21 p.m.

Wireless earbuds for the living room? Sure, if you want to feel like you're watching a silent movie with your family! xDD