How to Choose Ceiling Speakers to Suit Your Space
Techniques for choosing ceiling speakers to suit your space, for maximum performance in each location.
Last time we got to know ceiling speakers — what they are and what strengths and limitations explain why they have been popular for so long. Today ceiling speakers offer an even wider range of functions, but since each usage area is different, choosing ceiling speakers appropriately is very important to the performance of the ceiling speakers you use in each space. So today we bring you a few little techniques to help you choose ceiling speakers to install at your location.
Driver Size
The driver size of a ceiling speaker helps make the sound response more complete, so the output is crisp, accurate, and free of distortion. But the driver size must be proportional to the size of the venue. For example, if the area you want to use is small, you don't need to choose a large driver; a small driver can easily deliver sound quality loud enough for the size of the space. Ceiling speaker drivers generally come in two sizes: 6.5 inches and 8 inches. The 6.5-inch ceiling speaker driver is the most popular because it can be used in a wide variety of ways and suits small spaces, whereas the 8-inch ceiling speaker driver is often used in large spaces because its output projects farther and is clearer than the 6.5-inch driver.
On-Site Installation
On-site installation is another factor to consider, because each site is different. If it is a ceiling with a suspended (drop) ceiling, you can install normally, but if it is an exposed loft-style ceiling, you need a ceiling speaker with a back-can enclosure to mount the speaker to the exposed ceiling. This factor does not affect the ceiling speaker's performance in any way.
Number of Ceiling Speakers
How many ceiling speakers are appropriate for the job? This factor is one of the most frequently encountered problems when users want to use ceiling speakers but don't know how many they need. Normally, "one ceiling speaker covers an area of about 3–4 meters."
Therefore, the number of ceiling speakers used must depend on the size of the venue where they are installed. Using an appropriate number of ceiling speakers helps the sound cover the usage area. For example, if the usage area is 8 x 8 meters, you will need a total of 4 ceiling speakers.