In-wall speaker/hidden amp setup

[megakid]

Hi there,

I am currently having my small 2 bedroom London flat refurbished and am taking every opportunity I can to spec it to my own geeky taste. I have a pillar (approx 30cmx45cm) in the middle of my open plan kitchen/lounge. It's only about 40m² so not a huge space. Whilst the pillar is exposed (before dry wall is built around it), I'd like to put in 2 discrete speakers, one either side (pointing away from each other, out from the center of the pillar - 1 into the lounge area, 1 into the kitchen). The pillar has a mains power circuit which is due to be wired to a dual socket once the dry wall is in so I figure I can use that to power any amplification/audio receivers.

That's about as far as I got . My budget is probably up to £500 for a pair of in-wall speakers, hidden amplifier and some sort of wall plate to adjust volume/accept inputs. I wouldn't call myself an audiophile and, given I won't be adding a subwoofer to this setup, would appreciate a pair of speakers that aren't too bass shy.

Can anyone recommend me a pain-free setup that I can install myself? As you might have guessed, I'm hardly the expert with these things so an average install that is painfree would be preferable to ultra quality audio. One of my main considerations is the ability to play audio from mobile devices. The ability to hide a AirPlay or bluetooth receiver would be ideal as well as a wall mounted faceplate with an aux in port as well as a amp volume knob? Am I asking too much?

Cheers for any advice!

 

[lucid]

It sounds simple enough but I think there's a combination of factors that will work against you.

would appreciate a pair of speakers that aren't too bass shy Well then that means either big or expensive speakers. You haven't got the space for big, and you haven't got the budget for expensive.

I have a pillar (approx 30cmx45cm) By the time you factor in the size of the speakers required to deliver reasonable bass, plus the need for backboxes (fire regs/yours & your neighbours safety, and also required better sound performance, and also required to stop dust and debris breaking the speakers) then the pillar will end up being built out quite large. That's not good in a small flat.

speakers, one either side (pointing away from each other, out from the center of the pillar - 1 into the lounge area, 1 into the kitchen). Not ideal given that you'll be getting just one channel - left or right - dominating an area.

The pillar has a mains power circuit which is due to be wired to a dual socket once the dry wall is in so I figure I can use that to power any amplification/audio receivers. And put the "hidden amp/receiver"where exactly. Inside the pillar?

One of my main considerations is the ability to play audio from mobile devices. The ability to hide a AirPlay or bluetooth receiver would be ideal as well as a wall mounted faceplate with an aux in port as well as a amp volume knob? All of this, Airplay/Bluetooth, in a small custom innstall concealable amp with surfacemount sockets on a face place suitable for inwall install??? And out of what's left from £500 after speakers, backboxes and other ancilliaries.... I think you'll be searching a long time.

Can anyone recommend me a pain-free setup that I can install myself? As you might have guessed, I'm hardly the expert with these things so an average install Seems simple on the face of it. But because you've never done this before there's lots of snags that you haven't factored in.

Time to rethink your plan...

The simple solution is a couple of Sonos Play3 speakers + wall brackets + a BR100 Sonos wireless bridge. This is slightly above your budget but ticks your boxes as far as simple install and Airplay goes. Each speaker is mono, so the acoustics are sorted. You can run them together (Grouped mode) and control all functions from your iPhone or a network connected PC. [Incidentally, simply run Ethernet cables from your router to the two install points and you can do away with the need for the £40 BR100.]

The second solution would be an AV receiver with Airplay + a 2.1 sub/sat speaker package. Put the amp under the TV. Locate the sub near it. Mount the small satellite speakers on the pillar. Run cables back to the amp.

Pioneer VSX527 @ £160 - an entry level AV amp with Airplay and Control App + Boston Soundware XS SE @ £220 - entry level sub/sat speaker kit available in white, sold as a 5.1 system but you simply use just two satellites rather than all 5.

The above ticks your boxes for being discrete speakers, Airplay, multiple inputs, and you can use the amp mode in mono to sort out the sound. Add some speaker cable, sub cable and input cables (<£60 all in) and you'll be in business.