In Ceiling Speakers - center channel

Hello All, In the process of completing a basement that by design limits requires in ceiling speakers. I could mount center channel speaker on wall below tv. System will be used for music, sports and Movies. Retail advice is impossible to find. Few questions:

1) Can an in-ceiling speaker be used as a center channel?
2) Does it make any sense to mount a center under tv with L-R and Rears in ceiling? Does separate height / location effect sound enjoyment? I have the room to use a "real" center channel under tv vs being stuck with in ceiling. I am concerned that having Left and Right in ceiling and center mounted off wall will create an imbalance of sound.
3) Should all in ceiling speakers be the same size, mfg, etc or can I get away with smaller rears to save some dollars.
4) If I can mount center below tv without effecting sound - should I purchase same mfg for consistency in sound?
5) What should I consider when matching a sub (not in-ceiling) to in-ceiling speakers?
6) Should the directional / tilt speakers be considered for all?
7) Any recommendations in the $250 each range for the speakers?
8) Any recommendations of a sub that would compliment in ceilings?

Thanks to all for the help.

:hithere: See my answers in red
Hello All, In the process of completing a basement that by design limits requires in ceiling speakers. I could mount center channel speaker on wall below tv. System will be used for music, sports and Movies. Retail advice is impossible to find. Few questions:

1) Can an in-ceiling speaker be used as a center channel? Not recommended because by doing so does not direct the dialog towards the display
2) Does it make any sense to mount a center under tv with L-R and Rears in ceiling? Does separate height / location effect sound enjoyment? I have the room to use a "real" center channel under tv vs being stuck with in ceiling. I am concerned that having Left and Right in ceiling and center mounted off wall will create an imbalance of sound. Optimum placement is to mount L-R speakers to the sides of the display with the center channel under the TV.
3) Should all in ceiling speakers be the same size, mfg, etc or can I get away with smaller rears to save some dollars. You can get away with mounting the surrounds in-ceiling but still not optimum. Also, you can use smaller for the rears. Same mfg. is aways best but not quite as important for the rears as it is for center and fronts
4) If I can mount center below tv without effecting sound - should I purchase same mfg for consistency in sound? Not sure what you mean by affecting sound by mounting below the TV sinc ethat is the optimum placement for the center.
5) What should I consider when matching a sub (not in-ceiling) to in-ceiling speakers? Subs sohould match the room more than the speaker, IMO
6) Should the directional / tilt speakers be considered for all? Yes! Speakers should face/be directed towards the listening area, focusing on the 'hotspot' where you normailly sit to watch TV
7) Any recommendations in the $250 each range for the speakers? Is this total price you are looking for the package? I do sound system installs and have installed several in-wall/in-ceiling speakers. I have found these from monoprice.com to sound surprisingly good and VERY affordable (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10837)
8) Any recommendations of a sub that would compliment in ceilings? Inifinity, Polk Audio, and many others. I like the sound of the Polk Audio PSW10 myself and use them in my installs but sub recommendations are varied by individual tastes.

Thanks to all for the help.

I hope this helps in some degree

:hithere: See my answers in red


I hope this helps in some degree

Thanks for the help Stew. The issue that I have is that I have virtually no room to mount the L & R on the wall and am resigned to using the ceiling. Would you recommend that the L R and Center all be in the ceiling in my case or should I mount the center in its proper location and be left with the two fronts in the ceiling angled toward seating area? I understand that either option is not the best way - I am just trying to determine what is the best solution for my situation. The price range was $250 (hopefully lower) per speaker.
I did buy some cables from monoprice and found them to be a good value option compared to some brand names. Thanks again.

A possibility in this situation could be a soundbar, Stew, have you ever incorporated a soundbar into a 5.1 system? If the OP has room for a center under the TV, he more than likely has room for a bar.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/2756/7-soundbars-simple-to-luxe.html

Hi Oblio, I haven't added a soundbar into any installs (yet) so I really cannot comment on them.

As for mounting all 3 (front, center and right) in the ceiling if you have to, I would, if faced with an install like this, try to come up with a way to angle the speakers towards the listening area. If the sheetrock isn't installed yet, there may be a way to do this.

Hi Oblio, I haven't added a soundbar into any installs (yet) so I really cannot comment on them.

As for mounting all 3 (front, center and right) in the ceiling if you have to, I would, if faced with an install like this, try to come up with a way to angle the speakers towards the listening area. If the sheetrock isn't installed yet, there may be a way to do this.

You would have many dialog problems with an installation like this. The center needs to be as close to ear height as possible and aimed directly at the viewer. Also it has been noted that a center speaker off axis can produce a dizzying effect...kind of like or just like a middle ear infection or vertigo.

You would have many dialog problems with an installation like this. The center needs to be as close to ear height asd possible and aimed directly at the viewer. Also it has been noted that a center speaker off axis can produce a dizzying effect...kind of like or just like a middle ear infection or vertigo.

I have experinced that with people that put the put the speakers to one side of the display. I wouldn't ever recommend setting a system with all in-ceiling but if a customer insisted, I would reluctantly do it but try my best to disuade that type of install. I would go with in-walls before in-ceilings any day.