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Monoprice Amber vs Alpha 8 Inch In-Ceiling Speaker Review | Dolby Atmos
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- Опубликовано: 9 ноя 2018
- Monoprice has several options for in-ceiling speakers. I have used the 8 inch Alpha and Amber series speakers for the past 6 months and wanted to help you decide on which one is right for your application. I also go over the optional metal cans that give the speakers an enclosure and allow the port to be utilized. Please let me know if you have any questions below!
Monoprice 8 Inch Amber Speakers amzn.to/2JSSnI7
Monoprice 8 Inch Alpha Speakers amzn.to/2T4w7iE
8 Inch Metal Can Enclosure amzn.to/2JY13gI
Thanks for the review. You are the ONLY one on you tube who has reviewed these so it was very helpful.
Glad it helped man
The cans are too small is why they have a flat sound. I got rid of them and built a normal wooden box around them with more air space, and it made a huge difference.
If always wondered about the enclosures, should I or not, so was great to hear you weighing in. 👌
So did you enclose yours or leave them open?
I went with the Alpha Series Angled versions, I ordered 4 - very good, performs very well.
I just installed a pair of the Amber 8 inches; they’re absolutely amazing! The bass well surpassed the depth that I expected based on the reviews when played at 3/4 volume.
Did you put them in enclosures or leave the backs open?
Excellent video! I'll surely be purchasing the back box for these now.
Definitely try both ways out (sealed vs opening the port) and let me know what you think!
A layer of boom mat or some brand of deadener inside the can may work good also...
Love the review! They look pretty impressive, and less expensive than my 6.5" aperion in-ceilings. Hey, the optional boxes made me wonder: did they have any insulation on the inside of the metal box or did you try to stuff it a bit? As you know, a lot of time boominess in speakers comes from not having a properly damped enclosure. It may not be worth it at this point, but a bit of the pink stuff in the box may help tighten up that bass.
Thanks! I actually put some 2 or 3 inch thick medium density foam in the cans when I installed them. May have been in the other video I did in them... but yea, still had the boominess after that if that helps
Excellent video you to decide on the amber speakers 👍
Thanks for the review man. Wanting Atmos soon and there’s a ton of speakers available at this price point. While looking at the monolith subs and amps, I came across these. Monoprice coming out with some great equipment lately. Cheers man
Yea for budget pricing they have some pretty nice equipment really. Theyve done really well with my newer speakers as well, no complaints
Life of Bliss that’s good to hear. I think I’ll go with the ambers, and skip the cans. Wifey is always down with me during movie time- the subs shake the dishes upstairs already so not really an issue lol. Would it matter to remove or leave in the bass port plug without the can on the speaker? I’m thinkin no...
Probably not since its more infinite baffle at that point. I'd probably leave it sealed, but probly wouldn't effect anything either way
Life of Bliss sound good-appreciated man
So do you prefer the Amber with or without the cans?
Sq wise, probably not too much of a difference. I like the cans for containing the sound if you have living area above where they are mounted
I'm curious if you'd just run the amber speakers without a can like the alpha speakers, would the sound be better? Until I watched your video, I had considered building a custom can for the back of the alpha speakers I just ordered. Now I think I'll just skip it and install them directly into the drywall.
Just a heads up, that won't make it a sealed enclosure. It just changes the port tuning as that is open celled foam so it'll still let air through. Is there foam on the inside of the can? Adding polyfill to that might be a benefit as well.
Yes there is foam added to the inside. This is a similar setup to how svs creates at sealed enclosure with their subwoofers by blocking off the ports with foam
Great video Kyle, I am just getting started on investigating my options to upgrade my 7.1 to 7.1.4 and being a big Monoprice fan, appreciated this review.
One question I have: You mentioned that the Amber series had a more narrow sound field vs the Alpha series and recently reading the Dolby Atmos - Home Theater Installation Guidelines they recommend a wider range speaker to get the most of the Atmos experience.
So now I'm wondering if the sound advantage of the Amber series outways the wide range of the Alpha series. These are going into a detonated theater room so there is not much music listening and its mainly for movie and gaming
You're video and feedback is appreciated
Thanks man. You make a good point... in my area, which is obviously not the best and is filled with compromises, the middle 3 seats are the sweet spot. I feel like everything can be heard accurately in those seats. The last 2 on the ends suffer. Not just with the overhead either unfotunately... In your situation, a few things to consider would be the ceiling height (taller the better for dispersion in this case), seating area width, and how many rows of seating. That said, I obviously did my review based on critical listening of music that I know very well using just the overhead speakers. In movies, everything blends and the "presence" overhead is very noticeable, but not on a critical listening level (for me). I feel the alphas would do just fine as atmos speakers. While the ambers have a sound quality advantage, I don't think there is a huge advantage when being used as presence/atmos speakers over the alphas. Just depends on your room layout and how much you wanna spend 😁
@@LifeofBliss Kyle, thank you for the replay and input.
Unfortunately my celling is low (just over 7') there is 2 rows of seating which the second row in on a riser (even closer to the celling) and against the back wall sop not sure they would ever benefit from the rear Atmos pair.
I get what you mean and should just focus on the optimal seating area and adjust my atmosphere pairs according to that area for the sound dispersion. As long as both pairs overlap in the area I should be pretty satisfied.
Thanks again as you've given more insight to make a sound decision (see what I did there lol)
Cheers from a Canadian viewer
@@CrypttedDags I think you'll be pretty happy with whatever you decide to do. I think I know which way you are leaning based on your setup, but even if it is not the most optimal conditions (as in my setting as well, and I'm only using 2 atmos speakers), it is a huge improvement over regular surround sound. Good luck with your theater build!
Life of Bliss .. I am in the middle of my build, and just finished framing, electrical, and ran all my speaker wire yesterday. I ran wire for 4 Atmos speakers. While I may only use two to start, the wire is there for an additional 2 up front. Question for you - do you think there is an advantage of having 4 Atmos vs. just the 2? I’ve not had Atmos in my home so really don’t know. My space is in the basement dedicated HT 50% and 50$ for music. I have two rows of three sitting in boxes in my garage until I’m done with construction. Your videos have been a part of my inspiration. Separately, I may very well go with the Laggari counter tops which seem to be awesome.
Hey Greg, I only did 2 atmos speakers myself, but I have heard a very nice setup with 4. There's a definite jump in performance and wow factor just adding 2 atmos speakers. I feel there's an equal jump when adding the other 2 as well. It just really opens up the overhead sound placement if done properly. I think you'll definitely benefit from having 4 overhead speakers.
I think you'll like the Leggari epoxy too! Very easy to work with and pretty fun making your own design. Have a good one man!
Thanks for the review! You helped me decide to put the Alphas in the basement family room, and the Ambers in the theater room. Quick question: my theater room will be small: 16'x12'x8' with a 5.1.2 setup. Would you recommend using the 6.5" or the 8" (across the board: ceilings and surrounds). Thanks!
Glad it helped Mike. I am of the thought that you should implement the bigger drivers. I personally think they have a more realistic and bigger sound. I say go as big as your space allows. I have 10 inch surrounds, 12 inch drivers in my LCR, and 24 inch subs 😅
Hey man, nice rundown. So, I just bought the Alpha 6.5" in-walls and was curious about the woofer cone. The carbon fiber material seems really thin, almost like they didn't use enough resin. Furthermore, if I put a flashlight behind the speaker, you can see little pinholes of light through the cone. Just curious if yours are the same.
Thanks Aaron. I honestly haven't put a flashlight behind the cone so I haven't noticed anything like that, but the cones were pretty stiff when feeling them. I did not get the impression they were too thin. I'll try taking one out this next few days and get back with you
That'd be awesome man. Don't put too much effort in on my behalf though, lol. Guess it does't really matter either way as long as they sound good. I've got the 8" ones coming next week as well to finish out my in-wall 5.1 system, I'll be curious to see if the cones on both versions look/feel the same.
Thanks for the review. I'm looking to build a whole house audio system with one corner being a home theater. Do you have any suggestions on where I can find a program or website that will tell me how many speakers I'll need, and where to put the speakers based on my floor layout? Thanks
I dont have any resource for something like that unfortunately. I know OSD Audio will make plans for you based on your home layout, but they usually want you to buy their products and possibly have someone install it. The service is free though as far as I know
Hey. Great video. What is your projector mount. I’m looking for a low profile one
Should be in the description, but its a peerless av projector mount 👍
I just got 2 sets of the alphas after watching your review. I built sealed (caulked) boxes for each one and lined it with sound deadening. I installed mine with the ports sealed and don't have much bass. However, mine don't have screws that hold on the port cover. It looks like I need to knock it out or cut it out. Any advice?
Hmm... you may have to reach out to monoprice. Maybe they changed the design? They weren't super easy to get out, but they should have screws holding them in
Hi, I saw your video and I was wondering that which speaker would you prefer for basement bar and living room? I’m looking for good base and clear sound.
I liked both, you could save some money and go without the ribbon tweeters
I know this is probably a long shot but if you have one of the back cans available, Could you measure the width of them? I’m wondering if I can squeak them by a joist that’s in the way.
No idea. Sorry, monoprice may have the dimensions on their site
Thinking about using these as side and rear surrounds, but will have to mount very high on the wall. Alpha series dispersion might be better?
I would probably go with the alphas for that reason, yes
You might look at angled speakers as well so you can direct the sound a bet more
I purchased the Alphas and my ceiling has no insulation. Just empty wood and drywall. Do you recommend putting some sort of insulation to control resonance?
Wouldn't hurt to grab a cheap roll of insulation and but a piece above and a few around. It'll help and not expensive
So I am looking ceiling speakers for my whole home setup (12 zones), what size do you recommend, 6.5" or 8"? which speakers do you think would work for background music? I looked at monoprice but there is so many types (caliber, aria, alpha, amber) and HTD sdx-80.
Thanks
It really depends on your budget and what you can justify spending, but if it were me.... Background music for my whole house, 12 zones, you're looking at probably 2 speakers per zone I would assume, so 24 speakers total? I think the Caliber line would be great in either the 6.5 or 8 inch (again, you'd have to look at your budget). I wouldn't go with their bottom of the line speakers. The calibers handle a decent amount of power if you want things turned up a bit. You're not using them for critical listening or home theater, so I don't think you'd need the higher end amber or alpha lines. At about $70 per speaker of the 8 inch, that's about $1700 in drivers, not including your amps or interface. Again, budget will determine what you can ultimately do, but that would be choice I think. Good luck man
Oh, and I would prefer the 8 inch if possible, you'll get more low end out of them than the 6.5s
I know this sounds crazy but because these speakers are cheap I wanted to know if I could some how put these speaker in an enclosure like a regular bookshelf speaker and mount them on a upper wall.
Well I'm sure you could... but there are much better options out there if you're going to go through the trouble of doing something like that. Check out DIY Sound Group. They have a lot of kits that have great drivers you can build. You'll get a better driver for the money
Do you think the Alpha could be used under an outdoor covered deck/patio?
It could, but I'd honestly look at whole house audio for outdoor speakers. They carry OSD Audio, which is a great speaker for the money and they have several outdoor rated models
@@LifeofBliss Thank you for the quick response - I will take a look!
How are the alpha series for delivering base with music? I know in ceiling speakers are notorious for not having base.
being 8 inch speakers, they put out decent bass. Nothing that will be shaking the lights, but it's definitely present. Adding a sub and cutting these off at 80 Hz or so would definitely be beneficial, but I wouldn't be disappointed in these if I added them to my whole home for a music setup like that.
Would you recommend the alphas for a full home audio? It would be about 14 speakers
Oh yea, they would be great for that
Would this blend with the DIYSound group stuff like the HT-12/HTM-12 LCR?
Yea for atmos duty I think these work great. They blend well with my 1299s and Volt 10s from diysg
@@LifeofBliss Thanks! I was deciding on these or volt 8's.
How do you suppose either would sound in 1 cu ft. sealed boxes in a 7.1 (or 5.1.2, I suppose) setup? That's what I'm considering for the LR ceiling-to-be that will have blown-in insulation...
These would do ok, but you might look into the other speakers in the Amber or Alpha line. They have others for in wall use. If you are looking at these for the I'm ceiling only, I think they do great. These have kept up with any other speakers I've had and love the atmos effects! Sealed will really cut down in any noise upstairs too
My monoprice cart has had a pair of the 15° 8" Alphas for the front, plus two pair of the 8" flats in it for a month. I already (over-)built and installed the boxes between the trusses, so I'm glad someone familiar with rhem thinks it'll work. Lol
Oh yea, they'll work just fine 😁 I crossed mine at 80hz as they sound a bit boomy if you leave the port open and let them get lower than that. Just fyi. Good luck man!
So if with the Amber's needing to have the seating position dialed in a bit to appreciate the superior ribbon, and Dolby saying ideal seating is in between the forward/rear in 4 speaker ceiling setup, almost seems the Alphas would work better after all? As an aside, I'm currently using their Caliber 8" angled 15° for upper atmos and they sound great. Tried the funky Caliber 6.5" fiber 3way ceilings, and was soo disappointed 😞 oh well!
Yea I thinkni would use the alphas personally. And using an angled set is even better to angle towards seating position.
Are the Amber tweeters able to be angled? So u can aim them at the MLP better?
Negative. Neither line can angle the tweeter. But they have worked great for atmos duty regardless
Monoprices sells the alphas in angled and regular. The angle is 15 degrees. Thinking of using them for my atmos.
For Atmos, you need dispersion.
Thinking about the getting the amber speakers I have emotiva airmotiv speakers as my 7.0 system with Svs prime elevation as atmos speakers but I’m building a dedicated space now and want in ceiling speakers I was going to go with the the emotiva vaultas because of the amt tweeters just like the rest of the line has they are 300 dollars for a pair I can get all 4 monoprice speakers cheaper than I can get 2 of the emotivas I’m just worried about how well do these monoprice speakers sound
They have sounded great imo. I would suggest trying to get angled speakers to angle towards the listening position though. Itll sound much better than straight down firing.
@@LifeofBliss ok if thats the case I was reading about the emotivas and only the tweeters can be angled I see monoprice alphas make a speaker that is angled 15% and rsl c34e is also angled would either one of these be better than my first options btw I love your channel your humor makes you different than the other guys doing this and its funny love your setup also if I could diy I would but Im not that handy
I would go with the entire speaker being angled not just the tweeter. I noticed a big difference once I put the angled OSD in ceiling speakers in my setup.
I appreciate it man! I'm always joking around so I gotta throw some comedy in there 😁
@@LifeofBliss didnt think about OSD line I have there 5 channel amp the xa5180 I'll look into the ceiling speakers which ones are you using
The r83a I believe. 8 inch angled speaker. They've been great while I've had them in
Awesome Video here
What are you powering the Alphas with? How many watts?
For testing, both were ran off a Emotiva LPA-1. 125w rms. With my whole theater and bar connected, both the atmos and ceiling speakers in the bar are powered by the Yamaha RX-A3070. It's rated at 160w I believe, but that's with only 1 channel playing. Everything else (mains and surrounds in theater area) are run off of the Emotiva.
Would you say they like power then? I have the Monoprice 6 zone home audio controller that is only 25 WPC. For most of the house it’ll be used for background music, others like the game room and back porch will be for Partyin! I guess I’ll be investing in a couple of new amplifiers! Thanks!
Well with 25w and the speaker sensitivity of 90db, your going to get over 100db of sound. But that's if the amp is putting out the 25w with more than 1 channel being driven. You might possible clip the amp if trying to push it too hard and that won't sound too great and might damage the speaker. I would wait to install them and see how it sounds at whatever listening level you plan on doing. For low/moderate background music, no problem. For raging parties... may have to upgrade 😉🤘🤘
I think your right, I’ll just wait and see what happens. I’ll write back with my findings when everything is installed and wired up! Thanks for the help! Merry Christmas!
No prob, Merry Christmas Nathan!
Alfa looked like a metal dome tweeter..(Alluminum if I had to guess)
Per monoprice, it's a silk dome tweeter 👍