Kitchen System

[bpape]

While I'm tearing up the kitchen, I'd like to put in a system there.  We spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it would be nice to have something there.  What I'm thinking is to mount a SB Touch under the cabinet on a swing down bracket and connect the output to a pair of in-wall or in-ceiling speakers.  Anybody know of anything decent sounding for an active in-wall?

Bryan

[BobM]

I think something like this could make a really cool backsplash, but you would have to use indoor/outdoor drivers (sorry about the image size, but it does look pretty cool) 

[bpape]

Thanks Bob.  Not sure the wife is going to buy off on that though.  I'm thinking something more like a standard 8" round or maybe a 2 way that I can put up in the ceiling.

Bryan

[tmazz]

If you really want to go crazy Thiel make some unbelievable sounding in wall stuff, but at a price (~ $1k per speaker), and They are my self powered. But.....

http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/Pages/models/Current_Models/PowerPlane/pwrplane.html

On a bit of the more reasonable side check out the offerings from Paradigm. I have never heard any of their in wall stuff first hand, but I can say that I have never listened to a Paradigm speaker that I didn't think delivered way more sound than it had any right to for the price they were charging for it.

http://www.paradigm.com/products/paradigm/in-wall-in-ceiling

[BobM]

Wait, I do know of something that I heard at Ralph Glascal's place. He had speakers that were actually an integral part of the high hats in the kitchen. They looked and functioned just like a high hat, but also played music. I think they were made by B&W.

Perfect for a WAF since they are hidden. They sounded very good also.

Good luck with your search.

[djdube525]

NHT Also makes In Wall and In Ceiling Speakers.

Admittedly, I haven't listened to them, but may worthwhile to look into.

http://www.nhthifi.com/In-wall
http://www.nhthifi.com/In-ceiling

[bpape]

Bob

I'll see what I can find on the B+W lights.  Sounds interesting.

The NHT's are nice but unfortunately, not active.  The whole idea is to not have to have a receiver, amp, etc. in the kitchen.  Just the Touch pre-outs to an active speaker and  use the volume control in the touch.

Bryan

[richidoo]

Check OWI:
http://www.owi-inc.com/family_list.asp?division_id=1

[rollo]

  Do not forget about car speakers. BTW Audio Advisor and Music Direct are practically giving in walls away. Check them out.


charles

[bpape]

I'm not finding a lot in powered speakers that are reasonably priced.  The OWI's look interesting but have balanced inputs.  The Polks look good but really don't want to spend $1700 for a pair of kitchen speakers. 

Was trying to avoid having to have an amp in the kitchen at all.  I may have to just go with something like a little Trends or Virtue amp and hide it up in the cabinet somewhere.  

Bryan

[Carlman]

If they didn't have to be flush-mount or inwalls what about a pair of Swan's?  http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=364

Just a thought.

[bpape]

Just have to talk the wife into it. For standard ones, I was even considering the AudioEngines.

Now, if I want to pull down drywall (which I may anyway), I could try those transducers that you feather into the drywall and then paint.

Bryan

[mdconnelly]

A pair of AudioEngine A2s would work nicely (albeit, not in wall).   Always been curious how well their wireless dongles work for sound but I suspect with the A2s, that would be a way-easy and cheap install.

[bpape]

Was Googling around and came across these...

http://www.klipsch.com/LightSpeaker/Products/ProductPage.aspx

Not a huge Klipsch fan but it is a kitchen and this would require running NO wired - just replacing a couple of bulbs.  Interesting concept.

Bryan

[BobM]

That looks ideal, and is very similar to the B&W light/speakers that I saw. These Klipsh's are wireless though, so doubly cool.