If you’re looking to upgrade your home theater system, one component that can make a huge difference is a set of high-quality ceiling speakers. Specifically, if you’re interested in creating an immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound experience, the right ceiling speakers can take your movie nights to the next level. But there are so many options for speakers, how do you pick? And does Atmos really matter?
Atmos ceiling speakers enhance the home theater experience by providing immersive sound from above. To pick speakers, take into account room size and layout, speaker specifications, and aesthetics. We recommend a paintable option like the Yamaha NSIC800WH or Bose Virtually Invisible 791.
Because all the options are hard to navigate, we’ve put together this list of our top picks for the best Dolby Atmos ceiling speakers. We’ve looked at a variety of factors, including sound quality, ease of installation, and overall value for the price. So whether you’re a serious audiophile or just looking to upgrade your home theater system, we’ve got you covered.
Our Top Picks for the Best Atmos Ceiling Speakers
First, let’s cut right to the chase and give you our 3 best recommendations and why we think they’re great. After that, we’ll dive into some of the more nuanced details you need to understand to pick your own Dolby Atmos ceiling speakers. Let’s get started!
| Model | Woofer Size | Tweeter Size | Power Handling | Impedance | Special Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha NSIC800WH | 8″ | 1″ | 140 watts | 8 ohms | Paintable! |
| Micca M-8C | 8″ | 1″ | 100 watts | 8 ohms | Budget-Friendly |
| Bose Virtually Invisible 791 | 7″ | 1″ | 100 watts | 8 ohms | Pricey, but “invisible”! |
And remember: you can use ceiling speakers, or a beefy soundbar to bounce sound off the ceiling. Have a glance at our articles on Atmos Sounbars, and the best soundbars for filling big rooms to have a good understanding of your options in this direction.
You may also want to know about wall speakers. But now, more on these ceiling speakers! Maybe you’re on the fence on if you actually need Atmos speakers or if you’re Ok with dolby digital. No matter what, just know we have these other resources for you to use as you dive into this project.
Yamaha NSIC800WH
The Yamaha NSIC800WH 140W (on Amazon) is a great option for those looking for a high-quality in-ceiling speaker. With a 8″ cone woofer and a 1″ soft dome tweeter, these speakers deliver natural sound with clear highs and deep lows. They are also easy to install, making them a great choice for DIY enthusiasts.
The speakers are designed to be paintable, allowing them to blend seamlessly into any room decor. With a power handling capacity of 140 watts, these speakers can handle a lot of power and produce loud, clear sound.
Micca M-8C
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, the Micca M-8C (on Amazon) is a great choice. These speakers are designed to deliver clear and balanced sound with a 8″ polypropylene cone woofer and a 1″ soft dome tweeter.
They are easy to install and come with a paintable grille that can be customized to match your room decor. With a power handling capacity of 100 watts, these speakers can handle a decent amount of power and produce loud and clear sound.
Bose Virtually Invisible 791
The Bose Virtually Invisible 791 (on Amazon) is a premium in-ceiling speaker that delivers exceptional sound quality. With a 7″ woofer and two strategically positioned 1″ tweeters, these speakers provide wide and even sound coverage.
They are also designed to be easy to install, with a one-piece grille that fits into the ceiling without any additional assembly. The speakers are also paintable, allowing them to blend seamlessly into any room decor. With a power handling capacity of 100 watts, these speakers can handle a lot of power and produce loud and clear sound.
What are Dolby Atmos Ceiling Speakers?
Dolby Atmos is a revolutionary sound technology that takes surround sound to the next level by adding height speakers to the mix. This allows for an immersive acoustic experience that makes you feel like you are part of the action.
Sometimes height and verticality of the sound is achieved by aiming speakers at a ceiling to bounce sound off of it. Another strategy is to install the speakers in the ceiling in the first place!
With Dolby Atmos, sound can be placed and moved anywhere in a three-dimensional space, creating a more natural and lifelike soundstage, and with ceiling speakers, that effect can be achieved more easily. And if this conversation is giving you some pause, it may be a good moment for you to have a look at our ultimate guide on multi-channel home theater speaker systems to get a firmer handle on some of these details.
How Atmos-Enabled Ceiling Speakers Enhance the Home Theater Experience
Atmos-enabled ceiling speakers are a key component of a Dolby Atmos system. They are designed to provide overhead sound channels that complement the traditional 5 or 7.1 surround-sound setups. This creates a more immersive and realistic soundstage that makes you feel like you are part of the action.
While a soundbar option that will bounce the sound off the ceiling, like the VIZIO M-Series Elevate 5.1.2 (on Amazon) is one way to achieve the Dolby Atmos effect, ceiling speakers are a more direct way to access it. But, obviously, they’re a bit harder to install than a simple soundbar!
How-to Install In-Ceiling Speakers
In-ceiling speakers are a great option for those who want to have a surround sound system without having bulky speakers around the room. In-ceiling speakers are installed into the ceiling, making them virtually invisible. Traditional speakers, on the other hand, can take up space in the room and can be an eyesore.
In-ceiling speakers also provide a more immersive sound experience as the sound comes from above, creating a more realistic soundstage.
So, if you want Dolby Atmos speakers, then installing dedicated ceiling speakers is the only way to do it. It is the “traditional” option for Dolby Atmos, with fancy soundbar tactics like we described in the last section being a newer, more novel approach to sidestep installation.
And if you are installing the spakers yourself, have a look at our articles on if the ceiling speaker should touch insulation, and how the wired power to the speaker can be managed.
Types of Ceiling Speakers (Wired vs. Wireless)
There are two types of in-ceiling speakers: traditional wired speakers and wireless speakers. Wired speakers require a physical connection to the amplifier or receiver, while wireless speakers connect to the amplifier or receiver via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Wired speakers are more durable and provide a more reliable connection, while wireless speakers offer more flexibility in terms of placement and can be easier to install. Typically, wired speakers are just fine in this position (ceiling) because you rarely want to casually move them around.
Wiring
It’s important to make sure the wiring is properly installed and connected to the amplifier or receiver. It’s also important to make sure the wiring is rated for in-wall or in-ceiling use, like this option from GearIT (on Amazon).
This will ensure that the wiring is safe and meets building codes. It’s recommended to use a professional electrician to install the wiring.
Ceiling Mounts vs. Flush Mounting
You should note that some speaker options come with a speaker mount that protrudes from the ceiling, while others mount into the ceiling. This is called flush mounting because the speaker face is flush with the ceiling after the installation is complete.
We advise flush mounting in most cases (when the ceiling allows). This is because hardware mounting that protrudes from the ceiling and then requires wires to be run along the ceiling as well is often an aesthetic issue.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Installing in-ceiling speakers can be a DIY project, but it’s important to have some experience with electrical work and construction. It’s also important to make sure the installation meets building codes and is generally safe. Professional installation is recommended for those who are not experienced with electrical work or construction.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Atmos Ceiling Speakers
When looking for the best ceiling speakers for Atmos, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that you get the most out of your investment. In this section, we will discuss the most important factors to consider when choosing Atmos ceiling speakers.
Room Size and Layout
The size and layout of your room are important factors to consider when choosing Atmos ceiling speakers. Larger rooms will require more powerful speakers to fill the space with sound, while smaller rooms may not require as much power.
Additionally, the layout of your room will determine the placement of your speakers. For example, if you have a large open-concept living room, you may want to consider speakers with a wider dispersion pattern to ensure that sound is evenly distributed throughout the space.
Speaker Sensitivity and Power Handling
The sensitivity and power handling of your speakers are also important factors to consider. Speaker sensitivity refers to how loud a speaker can get with a given amount of power, while power handling refers to how much power a speaker can handle without being damaged.
When choosing Atmos ceiling speakers, it’s important to choose speakers with a high sensitivity and power handling to ensure that they can handle the demands of Atmos soundtracks. If you can, stay within the brand and model family of your existing hom theater audio equipment.
Otherwise, simply compare their specifications to make sure the receiver (for instance) is rated for enough amperage to support the additional speakers.
Aesthetics, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
Finally, you should consider the aesthetics of your speakers, as well as their maintenance and troubleshooting requirements.
Since Atmos ceiling speakers will be installed in your ceiling, it’s important to choose speakers that blend in with your decor and don’t detract from the overall look of your room. Additionally, you should choose speakers that are easy to maintain and troubleshoot, in case any issues arise down the line.
The Right Ceiling Speaker Solution For You
Choosing the right ceiling speaker for your Dolby Atmos setup can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, there are a few key factors to consider when making your decision.
First, consider the size and layout of your room. Larger rooms may require more powerful speakers, while smaller rooms may only need a few smaller speakers. Additionally, the layout of your room may impact where you can install your speakers. Be sure to consult with a professional or refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for optimal placement.
Second, consider your budget. While high-end speakers may offer superior sound quality, they may not be feasible for everyone’s budget. Fortunately, there are many affordable options available that still offer great sound quality. With these factors in mind, you can find the perfect speakers to enhance your home theater experience.
