Let’s face it; the best speakers in the world focus more on the quality of their internal elements (to produce incredible sound) rather than the overall visual aspect. Sure, there may be some models that are somewhat elegant, but they are still bulky and clutter up space.
That’s why when in-wall speakers became a thing, users happily migrated towards them. After all, with the best in-wall speakers you get all the fun of a high-end audio experience and nothing of the visual mess.
Still, with so many models and brands on the market, it can get difficult to choose the perfect speakers for your budget and needs. But don’t worry, we got your back! Have a look at our guidelines and reviews and, by the end of this article, you’ll have all the necessary data to be an informed buyer.
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Last update on 2023-09-29 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How to Choose the Best In-Wall Speakers
In order to get the best products, you need to first identify your audio needs. For this, here are several questions to guide you:
What You Want Them For?
Do you want to listen to music, watch movies, play video games, or all of the above?
For instance, if you want to create a home theater experience, the speakers should be easy to integrate into a 5.1 or more complex system. They should also be able to fulfill the role of the front, left or right speakers, depending on your needs.
On the other hand, if you plan on listening to immersive music, you should focus on a high-end build that delivers a wide range of frequencies and detailed notes.
Do You Have Enough Space?
Yes, we know you’re buying them exactly because there isn’t enough space in the room. But this is not about space in the room, but rather on and in the wall.
Since you can’t install anything in front of them or directly on top of them (this includes paintings, pieces of furniture, other works of art, plants, and so on) the space around them will remain empty. So, keep this in mind when you decide on the size, shape, and location of your in-wall speakers.
Are You Prepared for the Installation?
While producers do their best to make the installation as simple as possible, it is still a bit of an inconvenience for the user. You need to cut the wall for the speaker to fit in and then you need to drill holes for the wires (here you can follow a step-by-step installation guide).
All this activity can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if it is your first time. That’s why it’s best to choose a product that comes with a template to guide you through the wall cutting and mounting process.
Otherwise, you may want to have them professionally installed. It may be an extra cost, but it is worth the final result.
Rear Case or Not?
If you browse through the products we reviewed, you’ll notice that some come with a back case and some don’t.
In most cases, if the installation is done correctly and the speaker is installed in a room where there’s no steam or extra humidity, there’s no need for a back case. However, if the speaker is to go in the kitchen or bathroom, or the fitting is not right, you will want such a case to protect the internal elements.
There’s also an upside to having a back case: a better defined and more powerful bass.
Best In-Wall Speakers
The Best in Wall Speakers for Music
The 8-inch dynamic-balance woofer, the 1-inch metalized soft dome tweeter, and the timber-matched settings with other Polk speakers make the RC85i some of the best 2-way in-wall speakers on the market. The sound is clear and rich, with a good balance between mids, highs, and lows. Not to mention that they can be installed in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms, porches, or kitchens.
They’re also powerful due to the mineral-filled polymer cone and strong composite driver basket that help to keep all the parts together and create a wider sound dispersion throughout the room.
The speakers have a low-profile and paintable grille, so it’s easy to integrate them with any interior design setting. This way, you can add to your home theater speakers or you can use them as the main sound source in the room without cramping up space.
Overall, the Polk Audio RC85i 2-way speakers feature good quality, amazing sound power, and crispiness, and are quite easy to install without professional help.
- High-end sound quality
- Timber-matched with other Polk speakers
- Versatile and resistant to humidity
- 2-way speakers
- Easy to install
- They look good in any setting
- The anchoring system is a bit difficult
- Plastic clamps
- The grille is difficult to get off once installed
Yamaha NS-IW760
The Perfect In-Wall System for Every Home
Perfectly designed to cover either the left (front and back), right (front and back) and/or the center channel speaker, the Yamaha NS-IW760 has a maximum output of 130 watts and a frequency response of 50Hz to 24, 000Hz.
Because they are affordable and deliver amazing sound quality (very close to natural), people love using them for home theater systems, background music, and more. You may have to tweak the equalizer a little bit, but it doesn’t take too much to bring them to the level you want.
They are easy to install due to the flush mount system and low-profile design and look good on the wall. The grille and frame can be painted so they’ll completely match the color of the wall, but even without painting, they still look classy.
- Terrific sound quality & good volume
- Easy to install
- Versatile & easy to combine
- Good value for the money
- You need a subwoofer for real lows
- It doesn’t fit with a 16” stud spacing
Klipsch R-5502-W
A Bit Heavy, yet Powerful In-Wall Speakers
If you are seeking a good quality in-wall speaker that brings an excellent sound experience and great versatility in one, Klipsch R-5502-W is the device for you.
Although a bit pricey, these speakers present the ideal option for music and home theater systems and can be successfully used as left, right, or center speakers. More importantly, they have a 130W power rating and a nice 46Hz to 20kHz frequency range.
These speakers present a three-way system and feature a 13.33cm woofer, along with the 90 degrees rotating Tractrix horn, offering accurate sound projection.
In short, Klipsch R-5502-W are well-made, good-performing in-wall speakers; therefore, if you are after something like this, these are a perfect choice.
- Attractive design
- Very good build quality
- Rotating horn technology
- Magnetic grills
- Easy mounting
- Pricey
Bose Virtually Invisible 891 In-Wall Speaker
The Best High-End in Wall Speakers
With one 7-inch woofer and two 1-inch tweeters, the Bose 891 speaker is a fantastic addition to your home!
Due to the strategically positioned tweeters, the sound is delivered throughout the room, so the speaker can be used in a wide array of situations. From putting together a hidden home theater system to creating a special music room (you can pair them with in-ceiling speakers), the Bose 891 is a great choice.
Designed to deliver full-range performance, you will be able to enjoy a well-rounded experience that most speakers just can’t match. While the price is a bit steep, if you want high-grade audio quality, it is worth it.
Not to mention that they are virtually invisible due to the narrow bezel that creates an elegant transition from the grille to the wall. Also, the grille is paintable, but it looks just as well without changing its color.
- Audiophile sound quality
- Two tweeters to play sound in stereo mode
- No drop-off in sound quality
- Narrow bezel & paintable grille
- Easy to install
- Price is a bit steep
- No templates for installation
Polk Audio 265-RT 3-way In-Wall Speaker
A Budget Option for Audiophiles
The 265-RT 3-way in-wall loudspeaker is a budget option for audiophiles because you get Polk quality at an affordable price. Featuring Dynamic Balance, Distance Toggle & Polk’s patented Power Port technology, this speaker is equipped with two 6.5-inch Mid/Woofer and one 1-inch dome tweeter.
As a result, the sound is crisp and rich in details without being overbearing. Also, because it is specially engineered to offset reflective surfaces in the room, the speaker is the ideal solution for a well-designed home theater system (whether you use a 3.1, 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 channel system).
It comes with perfect fit templates and Polk’s patented rotating cam system, so the installation is easy, convenient, and vibration-free. Once installed, the speaker vanishes into the wall and can be painted over to completely blend with the background.
So, if you’re looking for a speaker that’s powerful, delivers impressive audio experience and doesn’t clutter the room, the Polk 265-RT is the one to have.
- Audiophile-grade sound quality
- Polk’s patented technologies
- Powerful outcome
- Easy to combine in various settings
- Vanishes into the wall
- Great value for the money
- They need a subwoofer for full power
- No rear enclosure
Micca M-8S 8 Inch 2-Way In-Wall Speaker
The Best Budget in Wall Speakers
For those of you who want a good sound system without spending too much and without cluttering the space, the M-8S from Micca can be a great choice. These 2-way speakers are affordable, look good with and without the grille, and deliver decent sound quality.
Under the grille of each speaker, you’ll find a high excursion 8-inch poly woofer and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter. There is also a 12dB crossover network that creates the perfect integration between the two elements and delivers a smooth and natural sound signature. Furthermore, the bass is quite robust and makes an impact on the overall experience.
Given the highly affordable price, ease of installation, and elegant design, the M-8S speakers can be used in a wide array of home entertainment applications.
- Good sound quality
- 12dB crossover networks
- Decent bass presence
- Easy to install
- Can be combined in all sorts of settings
- High value for the price
- 40Hz-20kHz frequency response
- No rear casing
- Grilles are pressure fitted
- The bass is not very strong
Yamaha NS-IW660
The Best In-Wall Home Theater Speakers
Minimal footprint, easy installation into the wall and stellar build, these are the main features brought forward by the Yamaha NS-IW660 speakers! Most users like to have them around for listening to music and movies due to their powerful audio delivery that covers a full audio range without drop-offs.
Due to the versatile 3-way driver design, these speakers shine when used in the front or center channel applications in a surround system. You also get a 6.5-inch Kevlar cone woofer, a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter, and one 5/8″ swivel aluminum dome midrange driver. All these are supported by a high-capacity customized crossover network that minimizes distortions and helps deliver amazing sound quality.
Overall, NS-IW660 speakers are one of the best options when looking for good-quality in-wall speakers.
- Yamaha signature sound quality
- Easy installation
- Solid internal build
- Customized crossover network
- Paintable frames and grilles
- Not low profile
- Easy to brake mounting clips
- Not very bass-heavy
Polk Audio 255C-RT 2-way In-Wall Center Channel Speaker
The Best in Wall Speakers for The Money
Polk promotes the Vanishing Series 255C-RT as the centerpiece of a world-class stealth home theater. The sound is dynamic and clear, with good details and a powerful bass presence. To make sure sound quality isn’t affected by reflectivity, the tweeter is placed at a lower level to offset any reflective surfaces before the sound gets any distortions.
The speakers are low profile, so they blend easily with the surroundings without distracting your attention from the incredible audio experience. We also like that the grille is magnetic, so it won’t be difficult to take it off if you want to.
Polk also lets users pair the 255C-RT 2-way speaker with other speakers from the series due to the timber-matching settings that let the outcome blend naturally. Also, the sound won’t bounce from wall to wall due to the crossover adjustments that flatten the response.
- Polk audio quality level
- Fantastic central speaker
- Can be combined with other Polk speakers
- Easy to install
- Good value for the money
- The grille rattles at times
- Could be a bit more powerful
JBL SP6II
Solid In-Wall Surround Sound Speakers
With an elegant design that fits most rooms and low profile, the JBL in-wall speakers are a great option for anyone looking for both quality and space.
The titanium laminate tweeter and cone woofer help the SP6II deliver a natural sound experience, powerful bass, and a frequency response of 38-20,000Hz. Furthermore, they’re easy to install and blend into space without any clutter or attention-hoarding design.
Since it is a 2-way speaker and benefits of the JBL technology and skill, it can deliver one of the best surround experiences. So, if you want an easy to install in-wall speaker that’s not awfully expensive and delivers like high-end design, this model may be it.
- Good sound quality
- Solid build
- Durable internals
- Wide frequency response
- Powerful bass
- Easy to install
- Can be used in complex systems
- No rear casing
Yamaha NSIC800WH 140-Watts 2-Way RMS Speaker
Versatile & Easy to Install
An in-wall sound system should be easy to install, and it should attract attention to the quality of sound, not the massiveness of the speakers. As such, these Yamaha speakers are ideal for almost any home entertainment applications.
First, this is a 2-way speaker that can deliver up to 140 watts output power and features a polypropylene mica cone woofer combined with a fluid-cooled soft-dome swivel tweeter in a coaxial design. The result is a powerful yet natural sound that keeps the listener entertained and immersed in the experience.
Second, the speaker features a slim profile that makes it perfect for both in-ceiling and in-wall mounting. It also has a sealed back cover that keeps moisture and dust away from the sensitive internal components.
Finally, due to the large mounting clamp and templates delivered with the speakers, these are easy to install.
- Good sound quality
- Impressive design that’s easy to blend with the wall
- Easy to install
- Powerful output
- 2-way speaker that works with complex systems
- Rear casing
- Tweeter can’t be positioned manually
- A bit big for the standard 2×4 fit
Wrap Up
In-wall speakers can be a fantastic alternative to bulky models, but only if you select them following the criteria we described in the ‘how to’ section. Also, based on the products we reviewed, you can make an impression about the correlation between price and quality, especially when talking about well-established brands.
Overall, if you take your time and do the research, it’s easy to find the best in-wall speakers for your needs.
