How to Install In-Ceiling Speakers in Your Home

By Dan Anderson

Last Updated on February 26, 2019

How to Install In-Ceiling Speakers in Your Home – Your Perfect Guide

One of the worst things when trying to install technology in your own home is a complicated guide that has too many instructions and fiddly parts to get through.

Well, we are here to save you from all of that and bring you something that is not only incredibly simple, but also very effective.

This guide doesn’t just teach you quick and easy installation though; it will also take you through the things you need to consider before you buy. It has everything you need, and we are ready to help.

Things to Consider Before You Choose In-Ceiling Speakers

Before you rush out and buy yourself a new in-ceiling speaker, there are some questions you need to ask yourself so that you get a clear idea of what you need, as well as what is suitable for your home. Take a look at our quick list of things to consider:

How many ceiling speakers do you need? This can be for both sound quality and aesthetic reasons. Some people like one, others have large rooms that require a few more.
Where is the best place to put them in your home? Which room do you entertain in the most, and where will they look the best in your home are the things you should be asking.
Do you have the wiring for them? They require mains power after all, and many people forget this when they buy them.
Which speaker cable is going to work best with the ones you choose? Different cables work with different models, so the model you pick is going to require careful cable choice.
What kind of speakers do you want? The biggest argument is mono vs stereo, and you just have to pick the one that will sound best in your home.
Do you need hoods to help reduce the risk of fire? Some models will require hoods, so make sure you research this carefully before you buy.
Are you able to install them in your kitchen and bathroom? Usually, this is a no because of the high humidity in these rooms.
Do you want a speaker with voice control? Things like Alexa and Google Assistant are becoming increasingly popular with ceiling speakers.
Can I get the grill to match my room? A lot of the time, you can paintable or replaceable grills so that they perfectly match your décor.
Will they be slim enough? Ceiling speakers come in all shapes and sizes, so you can pick a super slim model, or enjoy a chunk one, the choice is yours.

The Simple Installation Guide (3 Easy Steps)

Now it’s time to learn how to install your new speakers, but before we get onto our three amazingly easy steps, we need to go through the things you will need before you start.

For Safety:

Goggles (you’re going to be cutting into the ceiling)
Thick gloves
A sturdy ladder (and preferably someone to hold the bottom)

For Installation:

Stud finder
Pencil (for marking the cut lines)
Paper speaker template (for cutting)
Box cutter
Keyhole saw
Wire cutters
Phillips screwdriver
Laser level (keep things straight)

Step One: Preparing the Ceiling

After climbing up and determining where you are going to install the speaker, use the stud finder to search for the nearby studs or ceiling joints that might be in the way of your plans so that you can avoid them.

You can use the pencil to mark their location, or painter’s tape if that is your preferred choice. Once you have found all of the problem areas, you can take the template you have created and trace around it to mark where you will be cutting the hole later.

If you are installing multiple speakers, use the laser level to determine where they will go and make a rough mark for later. Using the box cutter, score just inside the traced lines to make it easier for you to cut with the saw later on.

The reason for scoring on the inside is because the saw that you will be using is often wider than the box cutter, and so this makes sure you don’t create a hole that is too big.

Also Read: Outdoor vs Indoor Speaker

Step Two: Cutting the Hole

Take the keyhole saw and begin to cut along the scored lines from earlier in a slow and careful manner. Make sure you watch what you are doing closely so that nothing falls on you, and ensure that you are wearing your goggles at all times to keep your eyes protected.

Step Three: Installation

Now you can test the area to make sure that the speaker will fit comfortably inside, so place it into the hole gently to get a feel for the fit and to see if you need to make it a little larger or not. Once the speaker has been pushed into place, you can start the installation process.

First, remove the grill from the speaker and then pull the wires from the ceiling and strip each of the conductors (there will be two) until around half an inch of the copper strands is exposed. Now, connect the wires to the speaker and put it back into the ceiling.

Using screws along the perimeter, tighten the speaker into place so that it is nice and secure. Now, you can adjust the direction of the sound by tweaking the swivel tweeters (which will be clearly marked in the user manual).

Once you have done this, you can replace the grill with the one supplied, or one that suits your home better.

Also Read: Speaker and Soundbar Difference

To Conclude

Hopefully, this has given you a good look into the work of car stereos and the issues that might occur when you have them.

However, even if your radio is making a terrifying set of noises, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it can’t be fixed, and there are a number of ways to get things back on track.

This guide should be able to guide you through the most common issues and solutions, and we would love to know your thoughts and how you got on – so leave us a comment about it below.