KEF Ci3160RLM-THX In-Wall Speaker Review

[kyuu]

I had originally planned a pair of in-wall subwoofers in this system, but after installing a pair of SVS 3000 in-wall subwoofers in my master bedroom system, I decided I didn't want to go with in-wall subs here.

What about the in-wall subwoofers in your bedroom made you decide against them for your living room setup?

 

[nick-v]

What about the in-wall subwoofers in your bedroom made you decide against them for your living room setup?

They're fine in the bedroom system (although nothing compared to proper in-room subwoofers), but it was just obvious they weren't going to provide any kind of pressurization in the big open space living room with 20' ceilings that's open to the rest of the main floor and an open 2 story staircase going upstairs.

I know the JL 13's and the Next Level Acoustics dual 10" in-walls (what I was considering in this system) are likely significantly better than the SVS, but I'm fairly certain it's too much of an ask for them to match the performance of the KEF in-walls.

 

[kyuu]

They're fine in the bedroom system (although nothing compared to proper in-room subwoofers), but it was just obvious they weren't going to provide any kind of pressurization in the big open space living room with 20' ceilings that's open to the rest of the main floor and an open 2 story staircase going upstairs.

I know the JL 13's and the Next Level Acoustics dual 10" in-walls (what I was considering in this system) are likely significantly better than the SVS, but I'm fairly certain it's too much of an ask for them to match the performance of the KEF in-walls.

So you think this is a limitation of the SVS in-walls in particular?

 

[muslhead]

I had originally planned a pair of in-wall subwoofers in this system, but after installing a pair of SVS 3000 in-wall subwoofers in my master bedroom system, I decided I didn't want to go with in-wall subs here.

I'll likely eventually hide a pair of slim 18" sealed subwoofers (Procella P18Si or similar - possibly DIY), in the front corners of room. The subs will likely be hidden by AT fabric wrapped, slim console tables with some sort of plant or art displayed on top.

The Ci5160RLM sound great as-is for mostly casual TV & Movie watching and Music, but the main floor is all open-concept and this room has 20' ceilings so I still want to eventually add a pair of subs.

Thanks for the reply.
I am building a house and the great room will have 19ft ceilings so the fact you have 20' removes some of my concern with a biggly volumetric space to fill. I am thinking i will definitely clutter the room with a coupla big (non inwall) subs as i do want full range, even if i can or cant hear it.

 

[nick-v]

So you think this is a limitation of the SVS in-walls in particular?

No, it's a limitation of in-wall subwoofers in general. There are possibly a few particular models (JL Fathom IWS-213, Next Level Acoustics CI-IW10RS-PRO, Perlisten?) that can somewhat overcome the basic physics, but they still won't hold a candle to properly designed in-room subwoofers. Even the Procella model that I mentioned is somewhat neutered by it's physical limitations, but would be a much higher-performance compromise than the in-wall subs that I was considering.

 

[kyuu]

No, it's a limitation of in-wall subwoofers in general. There are possibly a few particular models (JL Fathom IWS-213, Next Level Acoustics CI-IW10RS-PRO, Perlisten?) that can somewhat overcome the basic physics, but they still won't hold a candle to properly designed in-room subwoofers. Even the Procella model that I mentioned is somewhat neutered by it's physical limitations, but would be a much higher-performance compromise than the in-wall subs that I was considering.

Hm, interesting. I hadn't ever heard that in-wall subwoofers are inherently limited. Sealed subwoofers are, after all, little more than a driver stuck in a box. Wall cavities are typically a bit leaky and of course they're a different shape than your typical box, but I don't really understand what would cause them to be limited compared to a typical box subwoofer.

 

[nick-v]

Hm, interesting. I hadn't ever heard that in-wall subwoofers are inherently limited. Sealed subwoofers are, after all, little more than a driver stuck in a box. Wall cavities are typically a bit leaky and of course they're a different shape than your typical box, but I don't really understand what would cause them to be limited compared to a typical box subwoofer.

Physical size (volume) of the enclosure. Depth, excursion & diameter (surface area) of the driver(s).

 

[kyuu]

Physical size (volume) of the enclosure. Depth, excursion & diameter (surface area) of the driver(s).

I can see depth/excursion, maybe. But volume, nah. Typical wall cavities are 80L or more, and again they're leaky so often they are, for practical purposes, "infinite" enclosures. Also while many in-walls do limit themselves to 8" drivers or the like for some reason, there's no practical reason they couldn't use larger drivers. And multiple 8" drivers should be able do the job, particularly in a small space like a bedroom. Hell, my one and only subwoofer is only a 10" and it does perfectly fine in my fairly large American-style "great room".

 

[nick-v]

I can see depth/excursion, maybe. But volume, nah. Typical wall cavities are 80L or more, and again they're leaky so often they are, for practical purposes, "infinite" enclosures. Also while many in-walls do limit themselves to 8" drivers or the like for some reason, there's no practical reason they couldn't use larger drivers. And multiple 8" drivers should be able do the job, particularly in a small space like a bedroom. Hell, my one and only subwoofer is only a 10" and it does perfectly fine in my fairly large American-style "great room".

If your one and only 10" subwoofer does perfectly fine in your large great room, then I'm very happy for you.

Having said that, we're barely speaking the same language so I'm not going to bother engaging any further or addressing the above post.