Are In-Wall Subwoofers Good? [Pros, Cons & Great Brands]
More and more people are investing in subwoofers because they want to take entertainment to the next level. Car and homeowners place a lot of emphasis on the sound quality that subwoofers produce.
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether in-wall subwoofers are any better than other subwoofers.
So, in this article, we shall demystify, uncover and discover all the pros and cons of these subwoofers. We’ll also get into the best brands available for purchase:
Why Choose an In-wall Subwoofer?
Usually, subwoofers go in a room where they are visible to everyone. However, some subwoofers are in-wall, meaning that they are installed inside a wall. Other subwoofers are also good, but switching up the setup gives the acoustics a unique touch.
Moreover, in-wall subwoofers save up a lot of space and are perfect for surround sound. Besides, having invisible in-wall subwoofers is cleaner aesthetically.
In-wall subwoofers are probably not as common as regular in-room subs. However, more people are getting into these types of speakers. Sometimes it does not hurt to try something different.
In-wall subwoofers are an excellent choice for tight spaces. However, large rooms also do well with these speakers.
Here are the advantages of in-wall subwoofers:
1. They Provide a Cleaner Look
If you are like me, you like to pair different subwoofers to get the best sound possible. However, the disadvantage is that you’ll have to deal with so many speakers out in the open. If you don’t live in a spacious house, these speakers will always be in your way.
In-wall speakers don’t ruin the décor or theme of your house. Also, you don’t need to worry about moving them constantly to clean or create space for furniture and other things.
Some companies even paint the perforated metal grill for in-wall subwoofers to make them less conspicuous.
2. They Eliminate Wall Reflection
Speakers in a room are affected by the walls, floors, and ceilings of any room.
Reflections on these surfaces cause uneven production of lower frequency sounds. As a result, the sound either peaks or dips unexpectedly.
This means that the sound quality will be terrible, especially for the bass and mid-range responses.
3. More Bass Gain
Once you mount a speaker in a wall, the boundary effect comes into play.
Hard boundaries such as walls, floors, and ceilings cause this effect by increasing the bass. The frequencies, in this case, are pulled down to a flat. Therefore, the following happens:
- Increased headroom
- Lowered speaker distortion
- Reduced power use at lower frequencies
The bass frequencies experience a gain of about 6 dB, which is a significant increase that bass lovers enjoy.
4. Perfect Use with AT Screens
AT screens, also known as aesthetically transparent screens, are popularly used in movie theatres. Since technologies allow for transparent projection, it only makes sense to complete the setup using in-wall subwoofers.
Viewers will not get distracted by the numerous wires and speakers, plus the vertical alignment will increase sonic advantages.
5. They Make Perfect Surround Speakers
In-wall speakers are perfect to use as surround speakers.
In a theatre hall, placing the subwoofers on the floor poses great risks. They are easy to trip over and can be easily damaged by accidental spillages. Moving these subwoofers into the walls is safer and encourages use as surround speakers.
The best part about surround sound is that it is more immersive. Therefore, it sounds better, making a movie even more interesting. This phenomenon works even with in-wall subs installed in the house. Your movie-watching experience will be more than interesting.
Cons of In-Wall Subwoofers
Every good thing has a few downfalls. In-wall subwoofers are not perfect, but their disadvantages are not too detrimental:
1. Difficulty Upgrading
Once you have made a hole in the wall to install a subwoofer, the last thing in your mind is pulling out the speaker and replacing it with an upgraded version.
Unfortunately, the newer subwoofer might be smaller, meaning you need a different-sized hole in the wall. In addition, all the paintwork and work needed is not for the faint-hearted. However, it is not impossible and only takes a bit more muscle to execute.
2. Hard To Move
We can move in-room speakers without much hassle. However, in-wall subwoofers are hard to relocate.
You have to make accurate measurements before any permanent modifications take place. Since the relocation will involve going through a wall, you must be sure before using a saw.
3. They Are Far Away from Listeners
Most people are accustomed to having subwoofers right by their ears. Some people think in-wall subwoofers are not loud enough. In addition, a larger percentage of the sound received is reflected sound.
Nonetheless, worry not because this is easy to correct with acoustical treatments. Also, cranking up the sub by a few decibels corrects the problem.
4. Installation Takes More Time
Of course, placing speakers on the floor and connecting the wires is much easier than installing speakers in-wall.
Expect to spend a few hours doing an in-wall subwoofer installation because of making the hole in the wall and setting up everything to ensure it is perfect. There won’t be opportunities to correct or move the installed speakers, so extra care is necessary.
How Durable Are In-Wall Subwoofers?
In-wall subwoofers last longer than in-room subwoofers.
Since you don’t move the speakers, it reduces wear and tear. Once you install the speakers the first time, you’ll never have to go there again unless you want to do an upgrade.
The durability of other subwoofers tends to differ depending on their use. Of course, if you constantly crank up the volume on your in-wall speakers, you are likely to reduce the lifespan.
Anyone who wants to get the most out of their subwoofers should consider installing them in-wall. There is no danger of damages such as tripping on wires and liquid spillages.
What Are the Most Popular In-Wall Subwoofer Brands?
Since there are several subwoofer brands in the market, it is crucial to know which is worth your money and which isn’t.
Here is a list of the best in-wall subwoofer brands:
Monoprice
Monoprice is a reputable electronics company founded in 2002.
The company has over 7,000 electronics that match international standards in quality and uniqueness. Moreover, their prices are excellent for the kind of features their products have.
In addition, sound quality, style, and simplicity are at the forefront with Monoprice in-wall subwoofers. You want a sound system that sounds good and is away from sight. Therefore, Monoprice in-wall subs tick all the right boxes.
Pyle
Founded in the 1960s, Pyle is a top-tier manufacturer of advanced and high-quality subwoofers. Pyle speakers and drivers have become a household name over time.
Today, Pyle is a company well-known for producing the competitive car, marine, home, and professional audio instruments.
However, what sets the brand apart from the rest is the high-end performance at affordable prices.
The Best American In-Wall Subwoofer Brand
Klipsch
Paul Wilbur Klipsch was an audio guru. He founded the company in 1946, and it has become one of the best loudspeaker manufacturers worldwide.
Klipsch subwoofers are highly efficient and have controlled directivity and frequency response.
With in-wall subwoofers, you need the best features to avoid constant replacement. Klipsch has proven to be durable and perfect for various setups.
What Is the Warranty on In-Wall Subwoofers?
The best companies and brands offer up to two years’ warranty for their products.
Before completing an online purchase, check the official website for the terms and conditions tab. Usually, the company indicates the warranty information there for all customers to see.
Brands start counting the two years from the date you got the subwoofer. If anything happens involving the quality and manufacture within that period, you are entitled to a refund or replacement. However, any damages made by the buyer are not covered.
Final Thoughts
There are so many types of subwoofers out there. However, in-walls are perfect for tighter spaces and people who are strict about décor and have bulky speakers on the floor. I bet the information above will guide you.
So, if you feel like the in-walls suit you, go ahead and buy them!