If you are looking for the best in-wall speakers, the most important things to consider are the sound quality, reverbance, and vibration. I’ve summarized my favorite products below based on these features. Keep reading if you want to know more about why these features are so important.
People who are hell-bent on building their dream home studio system would tell you that they’d instead purchase wall speakers rather than clutter their space with a swarm of smaller, portable ones. This is because wall speakers can be much bigger, and they can be fitted into the wall, making the room instantly look a tad better and organized.
Nevertheless, audiophile hubs and online stores are teeming with a continuous debate on which wall speakers perform best based on their prices, features, and durability. I delved through all the hullabaloo to find the top candidates, basing our decision on the ones that deliver the best quality.
If you are looking for the best speaker that fits your preferences and, of course, budget, you should read this in-depth consolidation narrative that I came up with.
A Comparison of The Best In-Wall Speakers
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best for Home Theater  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best for Surround Sound  |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
The Best In-Wall Speakers
MartinLogan ML65i – Best Overall
Key Features
- Power: 15W – 90W
- Mount Depth: 3.4″
- Weight: 4.85 lbs
- Size: 11.2” x 8.2”
- Mounting Type: In-ceiling, In-wall
Nothing beats finding a wall speaker that provides you with almost all the different specifications you’d like, allowing you to get the most out of your money. The MartinLogan ML65i (Pr.) In-Wall Speaker, from their famous Installer Series, was designed with nothing but premium grade materials. Thus, they can produce high-quality sound. The ML65i is the tiniest among those in the Installer Series.
This MartinLogan ML65i has a one-inch tweeter and a 6.5 inches driver. It can handle a range of 15 to 90 Watts power. The product provides a superb low-frequency response, permitting you the capacity to distinguish solid bass output. The clarity and detail of both high and mid-range notes are exceptional, as well. You can certainly enjoy watching movies and playing your favorite games with this wall speaker.
While the sound quality of the MartinLogan ML65i already provides you with more than your money’s worth, incorporating this wall speaker into your home studio system allows you to appreciate it even more. Designed to be a center speaker, you can connect it to other speakers to provide you with even more sound surround capability. You can also pair this wall speaker with a receiver to further maximize its output capacity.
| Pros • Competitive price • Superb audio output • Premium-grade materials • Clear detection of low-frequency sounds | Cons • It needs a high-quality receiver to maximize audio output • Can handle only up to 90 Watts |
Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall Speaker – Best for Home Theater
Key Features
- Speaker Type: Outdoor
- Speaker Size: 5.25 Inches
- Power: 75W – 300W
- Mount Depth: 3.5″
- Weight: 6.5 lbs
- Size: 17.75” x 8”
- 1″ (2.54cm) Titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to pivoting 90° x 90° square Tractrix Horn
- Dual 5.25″ Cerametallic cone woofers
- Left, center, or right channel use
- Features a horn-loaded technology which improves audio output while simultaneously reducing distortion
- Easily mounts horizontally or vertically
Among the highly sought-after speaker brands, Klipsch offers us another of its excellent products. They offer customers various choices, including portable speakers, floor-standing speakers, and in-ceiling or in-wall speakers. For us, the Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall Speaker is easily the best option for a home theater system.
This wall speaker is designed with a one-inch tweeter at its center and two 5.25-inch low-frequency drivers located at the top and bottom. This wall speaker can handle a range of 75 to 300 Watts of power. So, if you use this product as your left, right, and center speakers, you’re bound to have an extremely powerful home theater system.
Its dual drivers offer a top-quality bass response, negating the need to use a subwoofer to help you distinguish low-end notes. Its high-grade tweeter permits you exceptional sound clarity, as well, enabling you to enjoy your favorite movies and games fully.
This wall speaker can be installed horizontally or vertically. Hence, you can purchase even four or five of these speakers, allowing you excellent sound surround capacity. Also, the product comes with an extremely user-friendly installation guide. You can even head to their YouTube channel to watch their detailed instructions on appropriately installing this into your home studio.
Since this wall speaker belongs to Klipsch’s Architectural in-ceiling and in-wall series, it is fully designed for convenient installation into any corner. It can even be used as an outdoor speaker, as well.
| Pros • Exceptional sound quality • Can be used as an outdoor speaker • Can be integrated into any corner of the room • No need for a subwoofer • Can handle up to 300 Watts • Clear detection of low-frequency sounds | Cons • Old-fashioned design |
Polk Audio 265-RT – Best for Surround Sound
Key Features
- Speaker Type: In-Wall
- Model Name: 265RT
- Speaker Size: 6.5 Inches
- Crystal clear sound with a more resonant bass for a real cinematic experience. Powered by Dynamic Balance, Distance Toggle & Polk’s patented Power Port technology, the 265-RT In-wall speaker comes with (2) 6.5″ Mid/Woofer & a 1″ swivel-mount Silk Dome Tweeter.
- Offsets reflective surfaces without sound distortion
- Multiple uses: try this 3-way speaker as left/right speakers or rear surrounds in a 3.1, 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 channel system
- Easy to mount and install with perfect fit templates, a precision flange, (available) pre-construction brackets, and the patented rotating cam system for secure, vibration-free installation.
- Vanishes into the wall – Customize and paint the very thin sheer grille to match wall finish or your style.
- Output wattage: 200 Watts
- Mount Depth: 3.75″
- Weight: 8.1 lbs
- Size: 20.87″ x 8.87”
Polk Audio is famously known for offering top-quality speakers that are worth every bit of your money. Likened to other famous finds like Bose, JBL, and Klipsch, Polk Audio delivers premium audio output, permitting you to appreciate distinct high, mid, and low notes.
Equipped with a single one-inch tweeter and two low-frequency drivers, this wall speaker has a power handling of up to 200 Watts. Its drivers are supported by rubber surrounds, ensuring zero reverberance and vibration, mostly when the speaker is set at high volume output. The speaker has a couple of acoustic capabilities and the “Tweeter” switch and the “Wall Dist.” The first one is best used when you are in an area made up of hard surfaces, while the second one limits low-end acoustic noise or interference.
Nevertheless, the Polk Audio 265-RT merely allows vertical positioning. Thus, this wall speaker cannot be integrated as a dedicated center speaker since it is part of its architectural series that already has a specific speaker appropriated as a horizontal one. One thing that may make you happy, though, is that this speaker’s grille can be painted to suit your room’s theme. However, painting it must be done solely by spray and not by roller or brush. You can connect this speaker to an amplifier to maximize its capacity.
| Pros • Can handle up to 200 Watts • Superb audio output • Distinct notes • Clear detection of low-frequency sounds • Grille can be spray-painted to match room’s theme | Cons • Vertical mounting only |
Polk Audio RC65i – Best for Versatility
Key Features
- Speaker Size: 6.5 Inches
- Elevated sound quality that is clear and crisp with timbre-matching speakers
- 6.5″ Dynamic Balance woofer with a 0.75″ swivel-mount tweeter for added depth & detail
- Mineral-filled polymer cone & strong composite driver baskets create wider dispersion for more evenly distributed and balanced sound
- Rubber seal for better sound response and it prevents moisture entry (usually a concern in damp locations like bathrooms and saunas)
- Quickly and easily install these speakers in three simple steps.
- Paintable aluminum grille comes in white powder-coat; leave as is or spray paint to match your existing interior and it will practically disappear.
An exquisite find from the roster of Polk Audio speakers, this wall speaker pair is designed to be equally spray-paint compatible, allowing you to match it to your home studio room’s overall theme. A wall speaker can handle up to 200 Watts of power; this product is designed to handle outdoor and indoor environments. Because it can withstand dampness, you don’t have to worry about this speaker being damaged if you live in an area where it is always humid. You can even mount this in your bathroom if you so wish.
Nevertheless, this pair is more appropriate as a party speaker rather than a home studio accessory. Thus, it can be used in any part of the house, allowing you to appreciate its utmost versatility. Developed with a one-inch tweeter and an eight-inch low-end frequency driver, this speaker pair produces solid bass sounds. Bear in mind, however, that bass notes can produce speaker reverberance, specifically at high volumes. Fortunately, the driver’s rubber surround limits this occurrence. This speaker pair’s swivel mount allows high-frequency sounds to reach you as well clearly.
The Polk Audio RC65i can merely be mounted vertically. This pair is part of Polk Audio’s architectural series that already has a specific speaker meant for horizontal mounting. For a stereo surround experience, you can connect this pair to a receiver to fully maximize its potential.
| Pros • Superb sound quality • Can handle up to 100 Watts • Distinct notes • Clear detection of low-frequency sounds • Grille can be spray-painted to match room’s theme • It can be used in humid or damp environments | Cons • Vertical mounting only |
Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall Speakers (Pair) – Best for Sound Quality
Key Features
- Speaker Size: 7 Inches
- One 7″ woofer and two thoughtfully positioned 1″ tweeters
- High-quality, full-range performance
- Exclusive Stereo Everywhere offers a balanced stereo throughout the room with no sound drop-offs.
- Almost bezel-less construction for blending into the room
- Grilles are paintable for matching interior
- Magnetically attached grilles and standard dogleg clamps make installation fast and easy.
- Power: 10W – 100W
- Mount Depth: 3.55″
- Weight: 5.22 lbs
- Size: 11.4″ x 7.75”
The Bose Virtually Invisible series includes both in-ceiling and in-wall speakers. These speakers are designed to be “Virtually Invisible” since they are almost one with the area they are embedded into.
While the Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall Speaker is way more expensive than its numerous counterparts, this pair makes up for it by producing the best sounds. Like with the Klipsch brand, you are guaranteed to get your money’s worth with this powerful pair as you get provided with superb sound quality and excellent volume capacity.
Able to handle up to 100 Watts of power, this pair of wall speakers can provide you with a rear sound surround. While they are not recommended as front, center, or left and right speakers, their capacity to offer wide audio dispersion makes them excellent additions to your home theater system.
The grilles are paintable, as well. They are also easy to attach or detach from the product since the use of magnets connects them. Pairing this with a Bose amplifier makes this pair as powerful as can be.
| Pros • Top-quality audio output • Rear sound surround • Easily detachable grilles • Paintable grilles to match your room’s theme • Can handle up to 100 Watts of power | Cons • Expensive |
JBL SP6II – Best for Entertainment or Distributed Audio Output
Key Features
- Power: 8W – 10W
- Mount Depth: 3.87″
- Weight: 5.0 lbs
- Size: 9.68″ x 7.12”
- Titanium laminate tweeter improves high-frequency sound
- Titanium laminate cone woofer incorporates rubber surrounds for reduced distortion
- Dog-ear brackets make it easy for retrofit
- Optional rough-in frames are available for new construction
- The frequency response of 38-20,000Hz
- Grilles and faceplates are paintable for blending into decor
JBL, another of the most popular brands in music accessories, offers JBL SP6II In-Wall/In-Ceiling Home Theater Surround Sound Loudspeaker. This one is part of the more affordable offerings of JBL, included in the brand’s SP series.
Being affordable does not negate its capacity to provide high-quality audio, however. Featuring a single tweeter and a 6.5-inch low-frequency driver, this speaker allows you to adjust its swivel to project its audio to your preferred listening space. Offsetting possible vibration noise, its driver is well-mounted into rubber surrounds. Having the capacity to detect low-level notes, its bass output is solidly distinct.
While this JBL speaker is permissible for a home theater system, it is best suitable for an entertainment or distributed audio system. Advisable for both in-wall or in-ceiling installation, you can adequately use it for either position.
| Pros • Super sound quality • Both for in-wall and in-ceiling installations • Capacity to detect low-level notes • Can be used for entertainment or distributed audio system • Affordable | Cons • Can handle only a maximum of 10 Watts |
Monoprice 3-Way Fiber In-Wall Speakers – Best Budget Wall Speakers
Key Features
- Speaker Size: 8 Inches
- DuPont Kevlar fiber cone delivers clean bass reproduction
- Natural sound with a lot less distortion that other drivers due to the lightweight transducer
- The built-in silk dome tweeters provide defined vocals and detailed clarity. It is also excellent for homes as it offers an immersive and surround sound. Plus, it has no logo grills and this adds to its minimalistic charm.
- No visible logo creating a minimal look
- Buy in confidence as it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee
If you’re looking for a budget wall speaker, look no further because we have these Monoprice 3-Way Fiber In-Wall Speakers. This fantastic product is merely priced at a little over a hundred bucks. Decently built with dimensions of 14.1 X 10 X 3.9 inches, these speakers provide you with easily detachable grilles that are paintable, as well. Nevertheless, you are required to have thicker walls to enable you to mount this pair. Designed with a generous three-way speaker system, this pair can provide you with a better sound surround than most wall speakers that are only incorporated with two-way ones.
Developed with a titanium silk membrane, its dome tweeter allows the handling of high-frequency notes. A four-inch driver is integrated into this pair, providing detection of mid-range sounds. Huge magnets attached to the included woofer make each speaker heavy, however, as each weighs about 17 pounds. While its features are not as excellent as its more expensive counterparts, the Monoprice 3-Way Fiber In-Wall Speakers are perfectly capable of providing satisfactory audio output.
| Pros • Cheap • Can handle up to 200 Watts • Three-way speaker system | Cons • It does not provide superb audio output |
In-Wall Speakers Buying Guide
Purchasing wall speakers can be a bit confusing when you don’t know which to opt for. Here are several tips for you to remember, especially when buying your first wall speakers for the first time.
Three-way versus two-way speaker system
Wall speakers can be designed with three-way or two-way systems. Three-way systems provide you with more sound surround capacity than two-way ones. However, most wall speakers are equipped with merely two-way systems, but you can offset this by choosing a wall speaker that provides you with superb sound quality and high-volume capability.
Sound quality
One of the main elements that you should, of course, look into is your wall speaker’s capability to produce top-quality audio output. Several brands like Klipsch, Polk Audio, JBL, and Bose are popularly opted for by most music enthusiasts. Many audiophiles would assert that a speaker is only worth-purchasing when it is capable of producing high-quality sound.
Reverberance and Vibration
Wall speakers are typically embedded into walls. Some are used as in-ceiling speakers, as well. Hence, they are prone to reverberance or vibration. Seek wall speakers that are made to withstand these. You get to eliminate the possibility of noise and interference, especially when electing to heighten audio volume.
In-Wall Speakers FAQs
Are in-wall speakers any good?
Wall speakers are typically inexpensive. Opting for the most appropriate wall speaker for your home theater, you get to enjoy a better surround sound. You can even fit them better into your room by matching their color with the area’s general color scheme.
Are in-wall speakers good for surround sound?
Yes. Many of these wall speakers are built to produce surround sound. Integrating an excellent receiver can even heighten audio output quality.
Which is better, ceiling or wall speakers?
Wall speakers are best when you want to save space and still have surround sound. Ceiling speakers are best used when you are building a multi-room audio system.
Top picks!
To sum up our research, here are the top wall speakers I found:
- Best Overall – MartinLogan ML65i (Pr.) In-Wall Speaker
- Best for Home Theater – Klipsch R-5502-W II In-Wall Speaker
- Best for Surround Sound – Polk Audio 265-RT 3-way In-Wall Speaker
- Best for Versatility – Polk Audio RC65i 2-way Premium In-Wall 6.5″-Speakers
- Best for Sound Quality – Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall Speakers
- Best for Entertainment or Distributed Audio Output – JBL SP6II In-Wall/In-Ceiling Home Theater Surround Sound Loudspeaker
- Best Budget Wall Speakers – Monoprice 3-Way Fiber In-Wall Speakers
