Which amplifier in suspended ceiling?

[Justkidding]

Hello,

I need some guidance for my little project. I want to install a speaker in my bathroom - specifically the Canton InCeiling 865 DT:

InCeiling 865 DT (6.5'') | 02925

Swivel-mounted tweeters The tweeters can be swiveled, so they can be precisely aimed, which allows even more flexibility in the choice of installation location. Tweeter level adjustment The tweeter level adjustment compensates for the acoustic disadva…

www.canton.us

As I have a 230V cable in the suspended ceiling but no speaker cables I am looking for an amplifier which I can put behind the speaker in the suspended ceiling. As the 865 DT has the option for stereo channels I think of an stereo amplifier with built- in Bluetooth or a normal amplifier plus a Bluetooth transmitter/network streamer.
The cut out of the speaker is 20 cm so the amplifier should not be bigger.
That's where I need help as I see the following options:

1.) Fosi V3 audio + transmitter
2.) Fosi V3 mono + transmitter and use only one channel of the speaker or just take the 865 without DT
3.) Fosi V3 mono + transmitter and put the two channels in parallel
4.) recommendation for another amplifier plus transmitter?
5.) amplifier with built-in Bluetooth which is strong enough for the 8 Ohm speaker.
6.) Any other better idea

My budget is about 200 Euro but could be stretched if really necessary.

Which option would you choose?

Cheers

 

[Doodski]

I don't think ASR is the place to be getting advice about this sort of amplifier installation.

 

[kyuu]

I'm not clear on whether that speaker is rated for damp environments. Assuming this is a bathroom where bathing takes place, I would ensure anything you're installing is rated for damp environments (essentially this is going to mean outdoor-rated). That goes double for the amplifier, so I would advise against installing an amplifier in the bathroom (again, unless rated for damp environments).

If you want to go this route, I would get an in-ceiling speaker that outdoor-rated, install the amplifier in another room, and run speaker wire.

The dual-tweeter thing is also not going to do much for you in a bathroom environment, so I wouldn't bother with that.

 

[Maciekw]

Active in-ceiling speakers, with integrated chromecast, may be the solution. Here you have an example of such solutions: https://www.litheaudio.com/wifi-multi-room-ceiling-speakers.html

 

[Talisman]

I realize that's not what OP asked, but sometimes less is more, have you even considered a good Bluetooth speaker to take to the bathroom when you want? Many are even IP certified

 

[Old_School_Brad]

I wouldn’t install powered devices in a ceiling unless it is specifically designed for this purpose and has the appropriate IP classification for damp and potentially dusty environments, such as IP44 or IP65.

 

[Astoneroad]

I realize that's not what OP asked, but sometimes less is more, have you even considered a good Bluetooth speaker to take to the bathroom when you want? Many are even IP certified

For the OP's budget, he could get a killer BT speaker for this, or any additional purpose.

 

[Justkidding]

I'm not clear on whether that speaker is rated for damp environments. Assuming this is a bathroom where bathing takes place, I would ensure anything you're installing is rated for damp environments (essentially this is going to mean outdoor-rated). That goes double for the amplifier, so I would advise against installing an amplifier in the bathroom (again, unless rated for damp environments).

If you want to go this route, I would get an in-ceiling speaker that outdoor-rated, install the amplifier in another room, and run speaker wire.

The dual-tweeter thing is also not going to do much for you in a bathroom environment, so I wouldn't bother with that.

At least I've read about various people who installed it in their bathrooms for several years and didn't have any issue so far.
Regarding the amplifier - I've asked the manufacturer of our ceiling. He told me the dust is not getting through the ceiling (drywall). So the dump environment shouldn't be an issue.
Why is the dual-tweeter not doing much in a bathroom environment? I thought this kind of speaker is especially for rooms where you don't have a sweet spot for actual stereo?

Active in-ceiling speakers, with integrated chromecast, may be the solution. Here you have an example of such solutions: https://www.litheaudio.com/wifi-multi-room-ceiling-speakers.html

Do you have any experience with speakers like this? This one looks really interesting as it even can be integrated in Loxone / KNX. Unfortunately, the only review I found about them is not really promising...

I realize that's not what OP asked, but sometimes less is more, have you even considered a good Bluetooth speaker to take to the bathroom when you want? Many are even IP certified

Which one would you recommend?
The big problem with bluetooth speaker is I can't integrate it in our smart home and so far I was sure a inceiling speaker always sounds much better than any bluetooth speaker box.
Especially if there is a possibility to stream music via wifi which always should yield better results than streaming with bluetooth shouldn't it?

I wouldn’t install powered devices in a ceiling unless it is specifically designed for this purpose and has the appropriate IP classification for damp and potentially dusty environments, such as IP44 or IP65.

Even if the drywall blocks any damp?

For the OP's budget, he could get a killer BT speaker for this, or any additional purpose.

View attachment 436268

JBL Flip 6 would be the bluetooth speaker you recommend?

 

[Talisman]

Personally I would suggest a Vifa Helsinki if you are a lover of neutral sound, if you like a little more color and punch I would go for harman kardon go play.
The idea that listening in these conditions, so while you shower, or shave you could notice a difference in quality between WiFi and Bluetooth transmission is on the edge of surreal. Maybe, and I stress maybe, in some cases with a good level system well calibrated and you listening carefully you COULD notice something in terms of differences between a bit perfect streaming and a Bluetooth ldac, but also aac probably.

 

[JustJones]

Maybe something like these?

Lithe Audio Wi-Fi IP44 Bathroom Ceiling Speaker (Pair - Active/Passive) - V2

www.litheaudio.com - A UK manufacturer of a wide range of AV products such as Bluetooth ceiling speakers | Bathroom IP44 Bluetooth ceiling speakers | WiFi ceiling multi-room ceiling speakers | passive ceiling speakers Bluetooth garden rock speakers | Motorized TV brackets | for use in the home...

www.litheaudio.com

 

[DMill]

In very specific home applications, where the “bathroom” is large enough and someone is spending a great deal of time in that space (ex. A room your wife is also using it to do her hair and makeup) it might be fun to have a decent audio system. I can’t think of the last time I took a shower and needed to hear Dark Side of the Wall both sides in perfect fidelity with the sound of water blasting me from a shower head. Nor do I think I have a good enough water heater. I will say water and electronics don’t mix well. And even dream house bathrooms are not typically designed for anything close to accounting for room modes. Id reco a Sonos Roam or some other indoor/outdoor BT speaker/amp combo. And happily sing in the shower.

 

[Maciekw]

Do you have any experience with speakers like this? This one looks really interesting as it even can be integrated in Loxone / KNX. Unfortunately, the only review I found about them is not really promising...

Yes, I have a pair of such speakers in the dining room. They provide full functionality such as chromecast audio. The sound is not top notch, but for a ceiling speaker, they do quite well. I use them both from my phone, directing music to them from Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify. They also work with Lyrion Media Server, after installing the castbridge plug-in on the server.

 

[Astoneroad]

JBL Flip 6 would be the bluetooth speaker you recommend?

No, you'd have to do your own homework for your usage. However, JBL as a brand is well respected vs. a no name speaker at that price. I do think that this was a good suggestion rather than an amp in the bathroom ceiling for all the reasons cited above.

 

[Wolf11Man]

I would recommend the BRU5 from Wondom. It is bluetooth amp and has a DSP build in, very handy to adjust the sound to the room. https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004895645420.html
less than 40$.
You will need some power supply, like from an old laptop or printer, minimum18 Volt /48V max should do. Or include one in your order.

Don't care too much about it getting a little damp, inside the suspended ceiling there should be no condensation. The ceiling gets warm first (warm air goes up and condensation happens on colder surfaces, like walls or floor. So in fact even in a bathroom, the space above the ceiling will be dry as central Australia in summer.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Even if the drywall blocks any damp?

Drywall doesn’t block vapor -that’s the job of the vapor barrier. So it depends on where the vapor barrier is positioned in your ceiling. Is it inside the suspended ceiling, above the drywall, or above the suspended ceiling?

 

[kemmler3D]

FWIW I use a JBL Go 3 in my bathroom for shower tunes, and although the sound isn't amazing, it's hard to hear much over the shower and vent fan anyway.

If you are looking to install something that stands up to moisture, I can at least share my outdoor solution:

Outdoor electronics box e.g. this
WiiM Mini
Fosi amp
Smart outlet

Put everything in there, plug into the smart outlet, run power cable in there, and hope the firmware for the smart switch or WiiM doesn't get messed up and necessitate you opening the ceiling...

I keep this rig in my backyard shed plugged into an extension cord, speakers are JBL Control X. So far, no complaints a year in.

I think the real, sensible answer is to put the amp somewhere else that doesn't require all these shenanigans, and run cables to the speaker.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Don't care too much about it getting a little damp, inside the suspended ceiling there should be no condensation. The ceiling gets warm first (warm air goes up and condensation happens on colder surfaces, like walls or floor. So in fact even in a bathroom, the space above the ceiling will be dry as central Australia in summer.

Sure, but what happens if there’s a power outage or the heating fails?

Installations in your home, where you and your family live your daily life, should be taken seriously.

 

[jhaider]

I realize that's not what OP asked, but sometimes less is more, have you even considered a good Bluetooth speaker to take to the bathroom when you want? Many are even IP certified

This. We use a Sonos Move (I think that’s what it’s called - the one with a battery and charging base) for bathroom tunes and it works well. Probably sounds better than an in-wall/in-ceiling due to the room correction.

 

[EERecordist]

As others have said, it might be a good idea to look at the building, wiring, and fire code that applies to your location, building type, and a bathroom. ASR is not expert on that. I also posted on a small power over Ethernet amplifier. Same issue, in the US, Ethernet is low voltage electrical code and it is likely you would need Teflon conductors.

 

[kyuu]

Regarding the amplifier - I've asked the manufacturer of our ceiling. He told me the dust is not getting through the ceiling (drywall). So the dump environment shouldn't be an issue.

You said it's a suspended ceiling. I've never heard of drywall being used for the panels in a suspended ceiling?

Regardless, I wouldn't count on the drywall keeping the ceiling space from being exposed to high humidity.

Why is the dual-tweeter not doing much in a bathroom environment? I thought this kind of speaker is especially for rooms where you don't have a sweet spot for actual stereo?

Because the bathroom is an environment where you will not be getting a good stereo image even if you had proper left and right speakers. Unless your bathroom is unusual, just about 100% of the surfaces will be hard and reflective, resuting in loads of reverberation. There's nothing to be gained by playing the left and right channels out of separate tweeters, I don't think. Best just to go with a single speaker playing in mono.

The big problem with bluetooth speaker is I can't integrate it in our smart home and so far I was sure a inceiling speaker always sounds much better than any bluetooth speaker box.

Again, given the environment, I wouldn't count on even a good quality ceiling speaker giving you much of a sound quality advantage versus your average bluetooth speaker. Many architectural speakers are poorly designed, also. And the bluetooth speaker will at least have the advantage of not being up high.

Especially if there is a possibility to stream music via wifi which always should yield better results than streaming with bluetooth shouldn't it?

Technically, yes. But again, given the bathroom environment I wouldn't count on any audible difference.