Question about In-Ceiling Speaker Placement in Rectangular Room

[SRyan]

Hello. This is my first post to this forum, and I am unsure if this is the correct topic to post this thread.

Thank you in advance for any advice or help.

I have a woodshop space that is 20ft long by 11ft wide. I have made an illustration below to show the room size/layout. One side of the room has benches from end to end. And on the opposite side are various power tools and etc. There are 3 doors (the small, dark red rectangles). So effectively, the walking space/listening zone is like a long narrow hallway.

(cont. below)

Wall speakers are not an option here because of almost no wall space (windows, etc).

1) 2 speakers or 4?
2) Single Stereo speakers or mono pair(s)?
3) What would be the ideal placement?

Possible placements I have considered are 1) one pair on either end of room towards the bench wall, 2) two pairs, one on either side, in a rectangle shape, 3) two speakers, diagonal, on either corner of the room, 4) two pairs staggered front to back along the room.

Thank you again for any help!

 

[AmericanRodeo]

If it were me designing, i would go with two dual stereo speakers. Set at 1/4 and 3/4 positions along the centre line.

Given it isnt for quality listening, just back ground it doesn't need over thinking.

 

[SRyan]

If it were me designing, i would go with two dual stereo speakers. Set at 1/4 and 3/4 positions along the centre line.

Given it isnt for quality listening, just back ground it doesn't need over thinking.

Thank you for your reply. That was my first instinct. I will, however, be using it mostly for classical music. And some classical music (such as chamber ensembles) benefits greatly from stereo imaging.

 

[Deleted member 134693]

Do you want the speakers just as some sort of 'background' speakers whilst your working in your workshop or as actual speakers to sit down to for a 'proper' listening session?

Also what sort of budget do you have for the speakers?

Do you already have an amp/source (cd player/turntable/streamer)?

 

[SRyan]

I already have an amp. The speakers will mostly be for casual listening while working. Budget maybe $300 for all the required speakers. I would like the bass to be present for lower instruments (cello/bass), so I was assuming 8” speakers.

No proper listening session, but I work on musical instruments for a living, so I am particular about audio quality.

 

[SRyan]

Do you want the speakers just as some sort of 'background' speakers whilst your working in your workshop or as actual speakers to sit down to for a 'proper' listening session?

Also what sort of budget do you have for the speakers?

Do you already have an amp/source (cd player/turntable/streamer)?

Forgot to quote it, so as to notify you. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 134693]

I already have an amp. The speakers will mostly be for casual listening while working. Budget maybe $300 for all the required speakers. I would like the bass to be present for lower instruments (cello/bass), so I was assuming 8” speakers.

No proper listening session, but I work on musical instruments for a living, so I am particular about audio quality.

I see you're in the USA so may have slightly different options to the UK...

The best ceiling speakers I've heard are these from Dynaudio and sound incredible however here in the UK they're £675 per speaker so way over your intended budget!

S4-C80 | In-ceiling speaker | Bold but discreet

Bigger rooms need bigger sound to fill them, and the Dynaudio Custom S4-C80 in-ceiling speaker certainly won’t leave larger spaces wanting.

www.dynaudio.com

I had a pair of these in my last house and they sounded pretty good but in a room smaller than you have and so I'd imagine a subwoofer would be needed to give any decent level of bass you're after! Again they're quite a bit over budget without factoring a subwoofer.

CP-CT380 | In-Ceiling Speakers | Monitor Audio

Monitor Audio's Controlled Performance CP-CT380 in-ceiling speakers offer greater power-handling with high frequency and boundary compensation controls.

www.monitoraudio.com

Ultimately if I was in your situation i'd go for a set of these...

JBL Professional 308P MkII

Powered 8" Two-Way Studio Monitor The next-generation JBL 308P MkII powered studio monitor makes...

jblpro.com

They're active speakers so don't need an amplifier, they will go a lot deeper than any in-ceiling speakers at any price point and although slightly over budget you might be able to get a 2nd hand set close. I'm currently running the 305's and they are just superb! I appreciate you want in-ceilings but one of these above each door firing length ways would be much much better than any inceiling speaker!

 

[SRyan]

Thanks, but mostly asking speaker placement…