HDTV's can't have all the fun. Home Theater speakers are slimming down too — enticing you to put them on your wall next to your flat panel display. There's a wide array of options on the market today but which type to choose? We'll round up a few stylish options that'll offer the sound you want for the type of listening you do.
Speakers don't like being thin. To pump out thumping sound a speaker needs room to well, thump. So you can imagine that some engineering feats had to be overcome to make these on-wall speakers sound superb despite their frame. The thinnest of the bunch are beautifully designed pieces that'll produce impressive sound if you mainly use your home theater to watch movies or television.
Super-Thin for the Win
KEF T301
1.5" Depth - $750 / pair
Paradigm Millenia LP
1 3/4" Depth - $499 each
Mythos XTR 50
1.5" Depth - $699 each
If you find yourself using your home theater to play a good amount of music and want to get closer to reference-level sound. Then you'll need to go with some speakers that have a little more depth to them. The pieces below aren't super deep and should suit the needs of all but the most discerning audiophile.
More Room for More Boom
Boston Acoustics RS223
3 5/16" Depth - $399 each
Bowers & Wilkins FPM 5
4 1/4" Depth - $800 each
Mythos Ten
4 3/8" Depth - $899 each
All of these solutions are great choices for front speakers, and many of them come in sets for a full surround experience. Because of the size though, be sure you are pairing them a solid subwoofer for full range sound.
(Images 1.,2. - KEF, 3. - Paradigm, 4.,7. - Definitive Technology, 5. Boston Acoustics, 6. Bowers & Wilkins)
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My T.V. recently went to TV heaven so I'm in the process of searching for a new one so this post comes in handy. I do like the smaller, thinner style of electronics. Thanks for the post.
The Magnapan MMC2. 1 inch thick.
http://www.magnepan.com/30-Day_trial_motorized_MMC_2
I recommend the Radius series from Monitor Audio as well. Sound as gorgeous as they look. As for the Magnepan, they sound gorgeous, but the looks may not be for all. If you're bold enough, go for the 1.7's! Just keep them away from the wall...
These are gorgeous, but we still love to see TV's as an accessory, rather than a focal point... Check out a few ways to do that - in addition to these micro skinny's.
Have you noticed? Look Ma, no wires! Alas, they do look wonderful just on the wall, but the no wire look usually means getting a custom installer to come in, make holes in your walls (sorry renters, you're out of luck here), pull wire through. Once installed, that will be your room arrangement for life!
Never any cords showing. Neat and wholly unrealistic/impractical.
Hmm I have 2½ feet thick brick walls so there will be no sneaking wires through the wall. I went the other way. I found some beautiful and sculptural speakers that I don't mind looking at. Minipods from Scandyna: http://www.scandyna-speakers.com/Products/Bigpod.aspx. Look familiar - Joey and Chandler had ones in blue in their apartment on "Friends."
i'm curious if wall-mounted speakers is the reason i know exactly what my neighbors watch on tv.
thin speakers sound horrible
Wow, freaking expensive sound systems! No suggestions under $1,000?? There are plenty of 3.1 and 2.1 soundbar systems that are thin, sound good, and well under these prices. Heck, even the over-priced Bose soundbar system is cheaper than most of these. And I like how it is mentioned in the article: "Oh, btw, better pair these super thin speakers with a giant sub because you won't be getting any bass out of these." (Sub not shown in photos of course).