New systems assistance

[zoomnbyu]

Morning all. New member here and looking to set up my first whole house system in our new to us condo. Definitely is going to have some challenges, most of all is me. The goal here is having ambient background music at a better level than average for entertaining as well as pretty good sound for when I just want to listen to music while respecting minimalness of the space and wife's desire to "not have shit and wires everywhere".

Notes:

• Drawing is rough on speaker placement. Struggling on LR speakers being inside higher tray ceiling versus likelihood of HVAC and sprinkler pipes being in the way outside of tray. Speakers for DR and kitchen area will definitely be outside of tray height.
• Ceilings are high - estimate 12+ feet (will confirm) and decent amount of glass.
• Looking at two zones (BR and all other) but as I "understand it" the amp (see stupid below) will use a zone per 2 speakers to avoid chaining so really 5 zones for now.
• Equipment - Leaning towards B&W CCM684 for speakers and Wiim Ultra for casting music. Thoughts? Generally use youtube music but also leaning towards picking up a CD player and playing with some of the "lossless" services. Spent a couple hours listening to ceiling and stand speakers and the 684s for my ears were the closest to the stand sound. Here's where it might get ugly/stupid. Sales rep was suggesting the Sonance 1650 ($2200) for the amp. Went home and was looking for AI comparisons and the Audio Control D4600 came up as a much better higher end option and then I found a new open box D4600 for $1500 and pulled the trigger. Was this stupid for functionality and quality? Other suggestions? Oh, and how many Wiim (or alternative) would I need? Assuming 2, one per different actual zone.
• Wire runs? 14g to each speaker?
• Entertainment Space Pictures attached are virtually staged but we'll have a similar sectional but chairs will be flipped to the glass side. Primary BR pic also VR staged but thinking only question is assuming speakers should be within cube of br space not the glassed in sitting space?

Very much appreciate any guidance as I start down this road. Hopefully can give back as I learn more.

Zoom

 

[LTig]

@amirm tested a few ceiling speakers, and as far as I remember a KEF model was the best. B&W has a rather bad reputation here due to most of their current speakers having their "house sound" (accelerated highs to impress customers in the show room).

 

[Mort]

I own many B&W CCM684 and a pair of KEF ci200qr. I prefer the KEF. Contrary to reputation, I find the b&w to be a little dark and boomy.

 

[zoomnbyu]

@amirm tested a few ceiling speakers, and as far as I remember a KEF model was the best. B&W has a rather bad reputation here due to most of their current speakers having their "house sound" (accelerated highs to impress customers in the show room).

Ty and @Mort as well. I'll take a look at the KEFs as well.

 

[mpw]

Nice condo ! Just get some nice looking speakers on both sides that fireplace, then a nice looking rack for some equipment, only wires that will show are to the speaker but your wife will love the sound. Get a nice 2 channel system like Air or something classy for your nice condo, your wife only deserves the best and so don't you !

 

[zoomnbyu]

Nice condo ! Just get some nice looking speakers on both sides that fireplace, then a nice looking rack for some equipment, only wires that will show are to the speaker but your wife will love the sound. Get a nice 2 channel system like Air or something classy for your nice condo, your wife only deserves the best and so don't you !

Ty. I tried several bookshelf but because they're only 9" deep (limited design/capacity speaker options) and the overall room size the sound quality falls off a cliff beyond where the couch will be and the volume falls off unless we deafen those on the couch.

 

[mpw]

If you put to nice speakers/stands on the corners of the rug near the Fire place the sound should be quite nice while sitting on the coach. You could even get a pair of Ls3/5's on stands that would not be to offensive to the wife, a good 2 channel system: pre-amp/amp.

 

[Power Pop 23]

A very-nice looking space and I hope your ceilings and budget make it practical to deploy performant speakers there.

I have no experience with the Sonance 16-50.

Consider whether using a 52-inch wide, Sony Theater Bar 9 will give you the perception of stereo separation you desire in playback.


Amir has measured a $2,499 KEF ceiling speaker he considers performant for Left/Center/Right channels:

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

Amir has measured a $999 KEF ceiling speaker with a 40 degree, off-axis response he considers suitable for Atmos height channels:

KEF Ci200RR-THX In-ceiling/In-Wall Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling/in-wall speaker. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $999.99. Speaker has a luxurious feeling rubberized paint outside of the driver. Alas, as you see, it is a dust magnet. Fortunately you would cover the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I am uncertain of the pricing with any tariff.


A pair of WiiM devices should suffice for providing sound to the two listening spaces. Choose the WiiM devices based on the inputs and functionality you require. Consider choosing one WiiM device that is compatible with AirPlay.

EDIT - WiiM's parent company, Linkplay, occasionally offers refurbished WiiM devices with a 1-year warranty at a discount at their outlet store on Ebay:

Items for sale by linkplay | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from linkplay!

www.ebay.com

Member @Jbrunwa, posted in 2021, a table from Revel on the recommended gauge of speaker wire:

 

[zoomnbyu]

If you put to nice speakers/stands on the corners of the rug near the Fire place the sound should be quite nice while sitting on the coach. You could even get a pair of Ls3/5's on stands that would not be to offensive to the wife, a good 2 channel system: pre-amp/amp.

No stand speakers. I traded home design input for something more important.

 

[zoomnbyu]

A very-nice looking space and I hope your ceilings and budget make it practical to deploy performant speakers there.

I have no experience with the Sonance 16-50.

Consider whether using a 52-inch wide, Sony Theater Bar 9 will give you the perception of stereo separation you desire in playback.


Amir has measured a $2,499 KEF ceiling speaker he considers performant for Left/Center/Right channels:

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

Amir has measured a $999 KEF ceiling speaker with a 40 degree, off-axis response he considers suitable for Atmos height channels:

KEF Ci200RR-THX In-ceiling/In-Wall Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling/in-wall speaker. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $999.99. Speaker has a luxurious feeling rubberized paint outside of the driver. Alas, as you see, it is a dust magnet. Fortunately you would cover the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I am uncertain of the pricing with any tariff.


A pair of WiiM devices should suffice for providing sound to the two listening spaces. Choose the WiiM devices based on the inputs and functionality you require. Consider choosing one WiiM device that is compatible with AirPlay.

EDIT - WiiM's parent company, Linkplay, occasionally offers refurbished WiiM devices with a 1-year warranty at a discount at their outlet store on Ebay:

Items for sale by linkplay | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from linkplay!

www.ebay.com

Member @Jbrunwa, posted in 2021, a table from Revel on the recommended gauge of speaker wire:


View attachment 539700

pp23, thank you very much. I grabbed a couple of then wiim ultra from Linkplay.

 

[zoomnbyu]

Ty and @Mort as well. I'll take a look at the KEFs as well.

went back and compared the KEF and B&Ws. I found the BW better for the sound and the KEFs were brighter and I'm a bit concerned with the ceiling height it would be more obvious. Also with the 4 speakers in the lr the directional sound in the seating area would be better, for my ears fwiw, with the bw as the KEF seemed to be geared more to greater dispersion. Still have to confirm ceiling access depth as the be need 5.25 versus 3" for the KEF.