In-ceiling small yacht setup

[asanchis92]

Hello ASR! Although my first post, I've learnt so much from ya'll so thank you!

I'm a sailboat captain and audio enthusiast. I have the privilege to implement an entirely new audio system in a new 62' Catamaran. I’m looking for advice on the best possible setup given the unique constraints of a boat environment. For now, I’m focused exclusively on interior salon audio.

Room / Boat Parameters​

Construction: mostly carbon fiber and foam-cored wood, so I’d expect a highly reactive structure
Salon dimensions: approx. 13’ x 18’, relatively low ceiling that curves downward
Headliner is not airtight

Planned for Four in-ceiling speakers:
options now are:
JL Audio Pavilion (better IP rating for environment) - Would love to send one to Amir to get some numbers on it, if there's interest.
or KEF Ci200RR-THX (given Amir's review)

I was thinking of having two subwoofers for improved distribution. Must be hidden away into cabinets. Cabinets can have air vents to allow sound output. Was leaning towards dual driver force canceling enclosures to reduce structural vibrations. Main goal is to excite the room the least possible.

Questions:
Are there other subwoofer architectures that might be better suited to this environment?
Or would it be preferable to rely only on the in-ceiling speakers and skip subwoofers altogether?
Curious if a dipole or IB setup would be beneficial and realistic to implement in tight spaces?

For reference I'm a big fan of Linkwitz's work, my speaker of choice at home is LX Mini's. I really enjoy the unboxed sound and vocal tones from them.

Current options:
2x KEF KC62
2x SVS 3000 Micro
2 x Sono Sub gen 4 (ported, concerned with room excitement)

Would have to see if space allows:
2 x Kef KC92

Not opposed to DIY here.

Current experience:
I’m currently running a KC62 in a smaller boat, and because there’s no single listening position, I notice strong low-frequency peaks in certain areas—especially near corners.

Is there a practical way to minimize this effect onboard?

Lastly, system architecture, Sonos, Garmin Fusion Head unit, WiiM Amps, JL audio amplifiers with DPS capabilities. Must be capable of a three zone volume control. I assume DSP will be helpful to get the sound correct in room? This may be the place I need the most help.

Hoping to get opinions on best solution prioritizing sound quality, SPL is secondary.

Photos of interior attached.

Thanks in advance!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @asanchis92

Consider a single, centrally mounted speaker so that you're not listening to the same audio from four different sources, all slightly out of phase with each other due to the relative differences in distance.

From your pictures, it doesn't look like people would dwell in the middle of the room for very long, rather to the side in the kitchen or seating area.

That'd make the Ci250RRM-THX a good match as it's specifically designed for 40° listening angle:

KEF ci250RRM-THX In-ceiling Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF ci250RRM-THX 3-way home theater speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $2,499. Please excuse the stock picture. Mine in the plywood baffle doesn't look very pretty. I must say, I was not prepared for how substantial this...

www.audiosciencereview.com

See here as well: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-in-ceiling-speaker-review.61115/post-2243671

I can't comment on environmental concerns though.

 

[JSmith]

Welcome to ASR @asanchis92.

a new 62' Catamaran

Now that has a lovely interior, nice acquisition!


JSmith

 

[asanchis92]

Hi @asanchis92

Consider a single, centrally mounted speaker so that you're not listening to the same audio from four different sources, all slightly out of phase with each other due to the relative differences in distance.

From your pictures, it doesn't look like people would dwell in the middle of the room for very long, rather to the side in the kitchen or seating area.

That'd make the Ci250RRM-THX a good match as it's specifically designed for 40° listening angle:

KEF ci250RRM-THX In-ceiling Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF ci250RRM-THX 3-way home theater speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $2,499. Please excuse the stock picture. Mine in the plywood baffle doesn't look very pretty. I must say, I was not prepared for how substantial this...

www.audiosciencereview.com

See here as well: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-in-ceiling-speaker-review.61115/post-2243671

I can't comment on environmental concerns though.

Thank you, I hadn't considered a single driver, this makes a lot of sense! Would this create a point source? And would I run it mono?

Would you still add one or two subwoofer to handle to low end?

 

[asanchis92]

Welcome to ASR @asanchis92.

Now that has a lovely interior, nice acquisition!


JSmith

Thank you, I'm just the captain. Yet I feel very very lucky to be able to be involved in the construction of this fine yacht.

 

[kyuu]

Thank you, I hadn't considered a single driver, this makes a lot of sense! Would this create a point source? And would I run it mono?

Yes and yes.

Would you still add one or two subwoofer to handle to low end?

Have you considered going with the KEF CI250RRM-THX instead? That one goes down low enough that you could run it sans sub, as long as you aren't looking to play it at ear-splitting volumes. You have to keep in mind the cavity in which you're installing the speaker does need to have a minimum volume to get the expected bass response:

 

[asanchis92]

Yes and yes.

Have you considered going with the KEF CI250RRM-THX instead? That one goes down low enough that you could run it sans sub, as long as you aren't looking to play it at ear-splitting volumes. You have to keep in mind the cavity in which you're installing the speaker does need to have a minimum volume to get the expected bass response:

View attachment 504206

I thought these are infinity baffles? Or would it benefit from an enclosure?

 

[kyuu]

I thought these are infinity baffles? Or would it benefit from an enclosure?

Infinite baffle, yes, meaning they are flush with the wall/ceiling. But the space behind the wall/ceiling is effectively the driver's "enclosure". What kind of ceiling space is present, if you know?

 

[asanchis92]

Infinite baffle, yes, meaning they are flush with the wall/ceiling. But the space behind the wall/ceiling is effectively the driver's "enclosure". What kind of ceiling space is present, if you know?

Very leaky thin 1/4" plywood panels as liners and the actual roof is a carbon fiber shell with structural beams.

 

[kyuu]

Very leaky thin 1/4" plywood panels as liners and the actual roof is a carbon fiber shell with structural beams.

Is there any space between the panels and the actual roof, or is the plywood laid directly onto it?

 

[asanchis92]

Is there any space between the panels and the actual roof, or is the plywood laid directly onto it?

Yes there's space between panels and ceiling likely about 9". I could request to make one panel stiffer to accommodate the speaker.

What size room would just one of these be not enough?

 

[Dovydas]

62' small yacht? What do you consider a big yacht, 100 footer? Sorry for off topic..

 

[kyuu]

Yes there's space between panels and ceiling likely about 9". I could request to make one panel stiffer to accommodate the speaker.

What size room would just one of these be not enough?

With 9" of space, as long as the area of the ceiling is about 530 square inches or more then you will meet the minimum volume requirement no problem.

 

[asanchis92]

With 9" of space, as long as the area of the ceiling is about 530 square inches or more then you will meet the minimum volume requirement no problem.

Yes, I think the volume isn't a problem, but it being leaky, is that a concern?

 

[kyuu]

Yes, I think the volume isn't a problem, but it being leaky, is that a concern?

It's only a concern if you're getting a lot of leakage back out into the room, as you could get some destructive interference or just unwanted noise leaking out. But unless it's seriously leaky, like there are big gaps between the panels, it's likely not an issue.

 

[asanchis92]

Do you suggest an amp to run this single channel? or multi amp network for three zones? They can share the single source but have separate volume controls.

 

[Geert]

Hoping to get opinions on best solution prioritizing sound quality,

Then with a ceiling that low, I would first consider the option of installing a pair of very small normal loudspeakers combined with a sub.

 

[Sokel]

What I would also consider, is that any gear installed in there would better be certified for outdoors or harsh environments like that.
And I mean ALL., from speaker to the last interconnect cable. Only the moist of the people who dive and then dry in there is enough, let alone the sea spray, etc.

(view seems like west Mediterranean by the light? Spain or south France somewhere? )

 

[tineared]

What I would also consider, is that any gear installed in there would better be certified for outdoors or harsh environments like that.
And I mean ALL., from speaker to the last interconnect cable. Only the moist of the people who dive and then dry in there is enough, let alone the sea spray, etc.

(view seems like west Mediterranean by the light? Spain or south France somewhere? )

I live less than three miles from the Atlantic and the salt in the air is very corrosive.
Onboard a boat takes it to the next level.
The OP probably knows this, but it is worth saying

 

[kyuu]

That is a fair point, but of course looking at outdoor-rated products does restrict your choices considerably. For interconnects, you could simply use some non-conductive grease to prevent corrosion.