Ceiling Speakers for Commercial Installs

Ceiling speakers put background music and announcements where people are, with nothing on a stand to get knocked. Installers fit them in bars, restaurants, shops, offices, meeting rooms, schools and churches.

The section covers the Cloud CVS-C range in 5.25″, 6.5″ and 8″ sizes, Biamp Desono and Biamp Apart models from the miniature CM3T up to the 8″ Desono DX-IC8 and Apart CMX20DT, the Optimal Audio Up series, the Shure MXP-5 and Martin Audio’s C4.8T, C6.8T, C8.1T and ADORN ACS enclosed models. There is also the Biamp DC220T-M, a ceiling tile loudspeaker for 600x600mm grid, and the Biamp Apart ENCM6T6, the EN 54-24 model in the section.

The first fork is 100V line or low impedance. Most models here are tapped for 100V, letting one amplifier drive a long run of speakers, with the tap setting each speaker’s level. Low impedance (4Ω, 8Ω or 16Ω) suits a handful of speakers close to the amp, and several Cloud and Biamp models offer both. Then size the driver to the job: 4″ and smaller units handle speech and quiet background music, while 6.5″ and 8″ 2-way models give fuller music and cover more floor per speaker. Enclosed and backcan models, such as the Optimal Audio Up with backcan and the Martin Audio ADORN ACS range, keep the driver boxed in above the ceiling; open-back models like the Optimal Audio UP 6O suit voids where that is not needed, and thin edge or low-profile versions suit shallow voids. Many models come in white or black.

Pair them with an amplifier from Install Amplifiers & Mixer Amps, and see our guide to 100V line, zone mixers and ceiling speakers for planning a system.

Ceiling Speakers FAQs

Can I mix 100V and 8Ω ceiling speakers on one amplifier output? No. A 100V line output needs every speaker set to a 100V tap, and a low impedance output needs speakers wired to suit its rated load. Dual-mode models are set one way or the other at install.

How do I choose the tap setting on a 100V speaker? Higher taps play louder and lower taps suit quieter areas. Add up the tap settings of every speaker on a line and keep the total within the amplifier’s rated output, with some headroom.

Which model is intended for voice alarm systems? The Biamp Apart ENCM6T6 is the EN 54-24 model in this section. For any voice alarm or fire-related requirement, follow the system designer’s specification and the manufacturer’s documentation.