Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Ceiling Speakers for Atmos

Current setup is Denon 4311 with M80's for R/C/L (Emotiva amp powers these), QS8's for side surround, and on wall M3 in the rear surround plus two subs. I want to get the Denon 6700 AVR and add Atmos speakers to the ceiling. I have two bedroom Axiom M2(?) bookshelf speakers that will go on a ledge 11 ft. up and 6 st. to the left of the listening position. I am looking for recommendation for 4 ceiling speakers? The M3 in-ceiling speakers seem to be the only Axiom product and seem more than what I need and a little pricey? Thanks.

A few years ago I went with the M3 In-Ceilings and traded in my Qs8's when I was just doing 7.1. For the wall speakers I have M22 onwalls. I find for Atmos the direct radiating M22s do better than the quadpolar Qs8s did as you don't want the enveloping features. I'm sure you could use other speakers for the ceilings, maybe figure a way to mount onwalls. I do like the directional tweeters of the M3 inceilings to help dial in the sound.

No, wife won't allow anything but ceiling (lucky she is ok with that). I agree, directional tweeter would be good.

I saw the installation video for in-wall/ceiling. It appeared the anchors were attached to the drywall only. Does that mean they do not have to be attached to the joists? And that would not be affected by vibrations (sub)?

The way M3c attach to the ceiling is more than adequate, the wall board has no problem holding them.

That said the M3c is a big compromise and bit of a disappointment sound wise. I may write more on my findings as I'm still evaluating them in different spaces, experimenting with augmenting them with subs, and will try to see if equalization can improve anything.

They may fair better in a ATMOS setup since the low-end is where they fall short.

They also fall short in the mids. M2s are much better.

The in-ceiling also fall short in the highs due to the tweeter being behind the mounting plane.

I have no complaints in sound quality of the M3Cs for Atmos they are the bomb. Even in music mode on my Anthem they sound fine.

I have the M3C's in my garage for music when I am working in there..... I have them in my HT for ATMOS.

For music duty, they serve a purpose in my garage as background, non-critical music. No base to speak of, but I don't care for this application. I think they sound just fine. Definitely better than a boom box, and they are out of the way and don't take up bench space, and no wires to fuss with.

In my HT, for ATMOS duty, I think they are terrific. It's not as if you get a bunch of sound from ceiling speakers in an ATMOS system anyway. They are for objects. They also blend in well and look appropriate for where they are - in the friggin ceiling. I have M3 on walls for surround and rears. They are way-mo-betta than the Q's in the ATMOS application.

And thanks to Nick and Randy for all the help they gave me setting up my HT system!

Another Axiom little-known secret is using VP160v4 with HP driver on-walls as Atmos speakers.

Hi PaulHa,

Any chance you can put in-walls in the ceiling? For full-range music listening they work great.