Chat
Contact us
Close contact box
Connect ID #
001 793 387 4
Connect ID #
001 793 387 4
Don't wait on hold. We'll call you back when it's your turn to talk with the next available .
Please enter your name  
Please enter your phone number  
Please enter a message  

Calls may be recorded for training and quality control purposes.

We are located in Virginia USA.

Thank you. We will be calling you .
We're sorry. We have encountered a problem.

Polk Audio RC80i In-ceiling speakers

Item # 107RC80I

This value-packed pair of 8" in-ceiling speakers has been delighting our customers for years.

This value-packed pair of 8" in-ceiling speakers has been delighting our customers for years.

43 questions - 88 answers

Item # 107RC80I

In stock
$249.00 pair

Other options

About the Polk Audio RC80i

Kramer Crane

A perennial customer favorite

Meet Polk Audio's RC80i. This value-packed pair of 8" in-ceiling speakers has been delighting our customers for years. And with good reason — not only do they sound fantastic, but they come with a lifetime warranty. Use them in your home theater for thrilling overhead surround sound. Or install a pair in any room where you want to enjoy music.

A perennial customer favorite

Meet Polk Audio's RC80i. This value-packed pair of 8" in-ceiling speakers has been delighting our customers for years. And with good reason — not only do they sound fantastic, but they come with a lifetime warranty. Use them in your home theater for thrilling overhead surround sound. Or install a pair in any room where you want to enjoy music.

"Fantastic speakers for the price!"

"We couldn't be happier with the performance with these speakers! Simple to install, look good and sound great!”

— Jeremy, a happy Crutchfield customer from Denver, Colorado 

Elevate your home theater

Planning a Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X® system? Use the RC80is for lifelike overhead sound effects. You'll love how sound moves up and down, instead of just side-to-side and front-to-back. These speakers are great options for the rear surround channels of your system, too.

Enjoy music in any room

Putting speakers in the ceiling for music with minimal visual clutter? Each RC80i is equipped with a robust 8" woofer for solid bass. And a swiveling tweeter lets you direct sound towards for you for the best sound.

Polk even uses moisture-resistant materials so you can install these in your bathroom, kitchen or covered porch with confidence. 

DIY installation

If this is a do-it-yourself installation, check out our guide to installing in-ceiling speakers, along with our selection of in-wall speaker wire.

Polk's rotating-cam design makes your in-ceiling installation go smoother. Once you have the RC80is in place, simply use a screwdriver to tighten each cam for a secure grip against the back of the ceiling.

READ LESS

Product highlights:

  • ideal for music playback and home theater surround channels
  • moisture-resistant for use in a bathroom, kitchen, or covered porch
  • 8" Dynamic Balance® composite cone woofer
  • 1" aimable soft-dome tweeter
  • recommended amplifier power: 20-100 watts
  • frequency response: 50-20,000 Hz
  • impedance: 8 ohms
  • sensitivity: 90 dB
  • cutout diameter: 9-3/8"
  • mounting depth: 3-1/4"
  • weight: 4.5 lbs. each
  • includes white paintable grilles
  • warranty: lifetime
  • MFR # AW0080-B

What's in the box:

  • 2 White in-ceiling/in-wall speakers
  • 2 White grilles
  • 2 Cardboard templates with paint masks
  • Owner's Manual
  • Online registration card
  • Product Registration Card

Featured video:

Customer reviews for Polk Audio RC80i

Loading reviews...

Average review:

5.0 out of 5 stars
388 reviews

Thanks for submitting your review

Filter by rating

Customer photos

Customer provided image, click to load a larger version.
Customer provided image, click to load a larger version.

Sort reviews

Sort by:
Items per page:
View page:

Verified customer (What's this?)
Verified employee review (What's this?)

Reviewed on Samsung.com

This review was collected as part of a promotion

Pros:

Cons:

Crutchfield response
Customer provided image, click to load a larger version.
<< >>

More details on the Polk Audio RC80i

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Quantity in Package Pair
Tweeter Soft-Dome
Aimable Tweeter Yes
Woofer Composition Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Rubber
Connector Type Spring clip
Bi-Amp Inputs No
Built-in Back-box No
Moisture Resistance
Indoor (Moisture-resistant) Yes
Outdoor (Partial Exposure) No
Outdoor (Full Exposure) No
Specs
Tweeter Size 1
Midrange Size N/A
Speaker Shape Round
Woofer Size 8
Cutout Width 9.375
Cutout Height 9.375
Mounting Depth 3.25
Power Range (Watts) 20-100
Sensitivity 90 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency Response 50-20kHz
Parts Warranty Lifetime
Labor Warranty Lifetime

Product Research

Features

Dynamic Balance Technology: Dynamic Balance drivers are used for wide, smooth response and low distortion.

Woofers: Each speaker features an 8" Dynamic Balance, mineral-filled polypropylene woofer for clean midrange and deep, accurate bass. For a smoother response and improved durability, each woofer uses a rubber surround.

Tweeters: Each speaker uses a 1" Dynamic Balance, metalized soft dome tweeter in a ball-and-socket swivel mount. The aimable tweeters give you direct high-frequency control, resulting in excellent imaging even for off-axis listening positions.

Infinite Baffle Tuning: Infinite Baffle Tuning uses the virtual enclosure of in-wall space for superior bass response.

Moisture-resistant: Durable, moisture-resistant materials allow you to install the speakers in bathrooms, kitchens, even under the eaves of an enclosed porch. (The speaker is not recommended for exposed outdoor use.)

Installation: The round shape and flush-design allow the RC80i to mimic the look of a recessed lighting fixture. Each speaker requires a cutout of 9.375" and a mounting depth of 3.25". Each speaker frame has a diameter of 10.685". Once the holes are cut, each speaker can be dropped in and the Rotating Cams can be tightened, allowing you to secure each speaker to the drywall without any extra assembly (the Rotating Cams protrude out 0.625" from the cutout opening). If you will not be mounting these speakers in drywall, make sure the wall or ceiling material can safely support the weight of the speakers before installation; each speaker weighs approximately 4.5 pounds.

Paintable: The grille and flange can be painted, allowing these speakers to match any decor.

Frequency Response:

  • Overall: 35 Hz-20 kHz
  • -3 dB Limit: 50 Hz-20 kHz

Loading accessories...

Customer Q&A

43 questions already asked

Q
Is there a printable copy of the speaker cut-out template? I have drywall people here and the speaker hasn't shipped yet. I couldn't locate one on Polk's website.
cindy  Feb 21, 2024
1 answer
A
There is not, Cindy. If you need one before the speaker arrives, you can make a template by using a perfect circle with a cutout diameter of exactly 9-3/8". I hope this helps!
bo  Feb 21, 2024 (Staff)
Q
Looking to put 4 of these (2 pair) in a home gym. Trying to figure out what amp/receiver would be best (to ensure proper power/ohm and not damage)? Would ideally like it to be Bluetooth and if possible an optical in to connect TV audio, but not a must.
justin  Feb 02, 2024
1 answer
A
Greetings Justin. Thank you for your question. You will need a stereo receiver that is 4 ohm stable to run four 8 ohm speakers like these Polk. Or some use an Audio/video receiver and run it in multi channel stereo. That option you give up sound quality, and a lot of control. Personally, I would use s stereo receiver, like the Cambridge Audio AXR100. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_779AXR100/Cambridge-Audio-AXR100.html?tp=47041
hogan  Feb 03, 2024 (Staff)
Q
These speakers are not enclosed or have back boxes. I would like to install them in the ceiling of a media room between a bedroom on the floor above them. Should I be concerned about the lack of a fire hood? Is there a solution beyond creating my own back box?
eric  Oct 27, 2023
1 answer
A
We do have some options that can help, Eric. Check out the Dynamat Dynabox in the link below, this is a prefabricated rubberized enclosure that can be used with the Polk Audio RC80i's. The Dynabox can not only provide some protection but help you get the best possible sound out of your in-ceiling speakers. If you do end up building your own back boxes, you can still get great sound by using the Dynamat Isolation kit in the second link! https://www.crutchfield.com/p_15450306/Dynamat-DynaBox.html https://www.crutchfield.com/p_15450506/Dynamat-En-Wall-Enclosure-System.html
bo  Oct 27, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Can rc80i in wall speakers be used with 220 v in countries like India?
ns7885  Oct 23, 2023
1 answer
A
The Polk RC80i is a passive speaker, Nate. This means they need to be connected to an amplifier for function, and these can be used as long as your power unit (amplifier) connected to them delivers 100-watts RMS or less and can be used with 220V AC power. These are some of our most popular in-ceiling speakers as they sound great, plus they have the same moisture protection rating that all Polk speakers have built into the design!
bo  Oct 24, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Can these run at 4ohm without causing quality loss or damage?
craig  Aug 15, 2023
1 answer
A
These Polk Audio RC80i speakers are an 8-ohm impedance, and that is not selectable on the speaker Craig. If you wired the pair of speakers to a single amplifier channel in parallel, it would present 4-ohms at your amplifier. This is possible if your amplifier does not exceed the RMS wattage with a 4-ohm load, but it will add a small amount of distortion with any amp when running at a lower impedance (this distortion is often so little it is inaudible). This is a result of the amplifier, and not the speakers. Using a single amp channel and an 8-ohm load for each speaker would provide the best sound quality, but in certain setups it may make more sense to wire in parallel and present the amp a 4-ohm load. I hope this helps!
bo  Aug 15, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Can Polk RC80i be set up with wifi or Bluetooth? I'd like to consider these for an outdoor covered deck.
jonathan  Jan 25, 2023
1 answer
A
Those speakers need amplification so you would have to wire them to a separate streaming receiver or streaming amp. We have experts available at 800.324.9695 that can show you some options to please give us a call and we will get you taken care of.
arielle  Jan 25, 2023 (Staff)
Q
I'm using these for Atmos in my HT. Since they're rated down to 50Hz, it should be safe to set the crossover to 60Hz; in my receiver, to get a little bass out of them correct?
everett  Dec 12, 2022
1 answer
A
I see no reason why not, Everett. This would especially be useful if your setup pulls double duty and you do listen to a fair bit of music on multi-stereo, or other multi-channel post decoding formats for music. Depending on which home theater receiver or pre-amp/amp combo you are using your room calibration may set that crossover higher for those Atmos locations and you will have to manually set it lower. Most Atmos effects will have signals higher than 200hz or so, so the real benefit would be when enjoying music content. I hope this helps!
bo  Dec 12, 2022 (Staff)
Q
Can I use Bose or Sonos amplifier to power these?
nitin  Dec 01, 2022
1 answer
A
The Bose Music Amplifier or Sonos Amp could be used to power 1-2 sets of these speakers.
zachary  Dec 01, 2022 (Staff)
Q
Is it OK to install the RC 80i in the wall or will this harm the speaker?
chad  Nov 27, 2022
1 answer
A
This speaker could also be installed in-wall. It would not cause any issues for the speaker.
zachary  Nov 27, 2022 (Staff)
Q
What's the difference between the circle Polk speakers versus the square version?
andrea  Nov 10, 2021
1 answer
A
These work best in the ceiling and are made to disperse their sound in a pattern that more evenly covers the room they are in. Polk square speakers are meant to be installed in the wall and are build to disperse their sound closer more horizontally than vertically.
jason  Nov 16, 2021 (Staff)
Q
Are these good for atmos?
scott  Feb 22, 2021
1 answer
A
Yes, I am using them in a 5.1.2 system for atmos and surrounds. They sound great. The LCR are Polk Audio A7 and A6.
brian c.  Apr 16, 2021
Q
Can I use 7 of the Polk RC80i in-ceiling speakers for my entire 7.1 surround sound setup? Including both fronts and center? Will aiming the tweeters down to the seating area allow for good sound flow from the ceiling?
speakerq&a  Dec 14, 2020
1 answer
A
Great question! In a word, no, You'll lose the full value of front speakers, and the center voice channel. They are designed as rear and ceiling speakers only, Yes, aiming them makes a difference. They really shine when listening to Atmos coded movies.
joseph  Dec 14, 2020
Q
I have 10 inch holes in my ceiling from the previous owner. Will these fit or will they be too small?
lauren  Dec 04, 2020
1 answer
A
Wish I could help but installed during new build so not sure how big were cut holes. Speakers have been great though!
brannon  Dec 04, 2020
Q
I am trying to install in a very thick pre-exhisting ceiling (thicker than what the mounting hardware can accommodate). Are there any installation options for thicker ceilings?
brett  Sep 21, 2020
2 answers
A
Dean at Crutchfield said if the ceiling material is thicker than spec, use a dremel tool or drill with grinder to grind out the extra thickness from the attic side. I intend to make a cardboard template with exact location of cams. Good luck!
richard  Dec 08, 2020
A
We have not received any answers from other customers on your question. I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They should be able to help answer your question.
thomas  Oct 07, 2020 (Staff)
Q
I noted that some Polk Audio in-ceiling speakers refer to outside eave installation as acceptable. Would an eave installation be acceptable for these speakers as well?
tony wayne  Apr 05, 2020
1 answer
A
I guess you could but I would not put these Rci 80 speakers outside where they would be exposed to moisture as they do not have any type of enclosure.
william  Nov 01, 2020
Q
I'm missing a few of the black screws Polk uses to secure ceiling speakers to the ceiling drywall. How do I get more? Thanks.
vrun  Feb 29, 2020
1 answer
A
Take one that you have and go to a local hardware store to match it. That's probably your quickest method.
jeremy  Feb 29, 2020
Q
I have my new home pre-wired for ceiling speakers. There are elctrical boxes in the ceiling with the pre-wires. How do I flush mount these speakers over the electrical boxes?
terry  Feb 20, 2020
1 answer
A
You would need to remove the electrical boxes and wire straight into the speaker. Take care of the placement though so that the cutout for the speaker actually goes over the existing box hole.
melvyn  May 06, 2020
Q
Is there a way to make these speakers work with bluetooth devices?
c.  Jun 16, 2019
1 answer
A
I don't know. I was renovating my house and was able to hard wire.
dennis  Jun 16, 2019
Q
how do these compare with MC-80?
manomamdouh  Aug 07, 2018
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on comparing two or more models I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences and help you make the best choice for your system and your budget.
kristina  Aug 10, 2018 (Staff)
Q
What kind of enclosure were these speakers in when you tested them? Attic or box or what?
rick  Sep 27, 2017
2 answers
A
They are ceiling mounted. Typical sheet rock/drywall materials. 12-foot ceiling height. Used the Crutchfield foam baffles to keep the attic insulation from falling into the backs of the cones. Been enjoying them for over a year now. Still solid performers.
brian  Sep 28, 2017
A
I mounted all these speakers in ceiling between my second and 1st floor. So the enclosure in the 18in between the floor joist. I can tell you these are great speakers with excellent full sound and range. When you push them they bump pretty hard. Install tip do not over tighten them.
steven  Sep 28, 2017
Q
which amplifier do i need to get if im using polk rc80i speakers?
stiegs  Aug 08, 2017
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on selecting the best amp I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences between the amp models and help you make the best choice for your system.
kenneth  Aug 08, 2017 (Staff)
Q
I am putting 6 of these throughout a large open basement. In between rafters. My question is that I think they are made to have an open back (no box), should I put roll insulation on sides / top of them to help reduce sound heard upstairs?
adam  Jul 13, 2017
3 answers
A
We have four of them between rafters in our outdoor porch. They can kick out some noise so would recommend some form of insulation. We have used roxual insulation in other parts of our house that works well to dampen noise but to be honest we didn't for the speakers because they were outdoors.
nicholas  Jul 14, 2017
A
I would definitely put a backer on it. While upstairs I can hear what is being played downstairs.Enter an answer to this question.
brad  Jul 14, 2017
A
I had extra insulation from finishing our basement so I did this and it seems to help.
ryan  Jul 14, 2017
Q
Do they come with a template for the cut out hole or will I have to perform my own sloppy measurements?
bogotabro  Jun 30, 2017
1 answer
A
Each speaker will have a cut out template with it as will as a protect screen shield to paint the ring if you wish.
john  Jun 30, 2017
Q
Can an in-ceiling mounted RC80i speaker withstand the steam of an enclosed shower?
kevin  May 31, 2017
1 answer
A
I have mine located in a small bathroom about 2 feet away from the shower that gets little beads of water from the steam and 3 years later it's still working. Excellent quality speakers for the money.
zachary  Jun 01, 2017
Q
Recently purchased Onkyo TX-RZ810 which is rated at Watts per. Are these the right speakers for ceiling 7.2 surround set up? It says they are only rated at 100 watts.
robert  Apr 28, 2017
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on selecting the best speaker(s) to go with your Onkyo receiver, I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They can offer more personalized advice to ensure you're getting the best performance and quality.
david  May 02, 2017 (Staff)
Q
What is the weight of each RCi80 speaker?
wayne  Apr 13, 2017
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. Each speaker weighs approximately 4.5 pounds. Hope that helps.
kenneth  Apr 14, 2017 (Staff)
Q
I have two very old Altec Lansing speakers in a very nice box with two tweeters and a bass component. The bass units crumbled and sound raspy. Could I remove those bass speakers and install two ceiling speakers? One in each box of course. The speakers I have are 8 ohm
glenn  Jan 20, 2017
2 answers
A
Try to match your speakers you select to match (as close as possible) the cubic volume of your enclosure. It makes a difference
christopher  Apr 24, 2021
A
Of course you can. Maybe just an 8 ohm bass only speaker of the same size maybe more appropriate since you have separate tweeter RW
roberto  Jan 20, 2017
Q
Bought 4 Polk Audio rc80i Ceiling Speakers from Crutchfield ... Do all the speaker wire lengths have to be the same distance ? or can 1 be at 10 ft / 15ft / 20 ft / 25 ft ? thanks !!
brent  Apr 08, 2016
2 answers
A
my ceiling speakers are all at different lengths. I did not see an issue
richard  Apr 09, 2016
A
Think not, input travels at the speed of light to the speaker. Should be ok unless speakers are in different solar systems.
dale  Apr 08, 2016
Q
How many speakers do I need to buy to cover 30ft x 100ft area with 10.5ft ceiling?
oleg t  Nov 02, 2015
1 answer
A
I'm happy to help. I bought 4 Spks 2 years ago. Working very good at 30x50 ft. 10 ft ceiling. I think you should get 8 Spks. Installing 2 rows. Sound very good. You can get 6 Spks then you can turn volum up more. I hope this can help you.
tam  Nov 05, 2015
Q
Do these ceiling speakers work well with the csi a6 center channel speaker?
steve  Aug 25, 2015
1 answer
A
I forwarded your question to an Advisor and they responded with the following: These speakers are not a perfect voice match to the CSiA6 center channel speaker. The Polk in-ceiling RT series speakers are a match for your center channel speaker. If you would like to discuss further you can contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat.
kristina  Sep 01, 2015 (Staff)
Q
Can you install these with a drop ceiling?
steve  Aug 23, 2015
4 answers
A
yes, we have in a few instances
daniel  Aug 24, 2015
A
I would think the weight of any speaker would pull through a ceiling tile. I think I'd look into using speaker brackets and wiring those up to something that can support the weight. Then there would be a plastic ring just on the other side of the ceiling tile to mount to.
eric  Aug 24, 2015
A
Yes, not an issue. I have them in my basement with suspended ceiling (drop ceiling). They sound absolutely amazing with crisp sound. I couldn't be happier with this set of speakers.
nick  Aug 24, 2015
A
Yes
joshua  Aug 24, 2015
Q
Do they come with pre construction brackets included?
shari  Jun 05, 2015
6 answers
A
Shari, the speakers come with all the gear to mount them into the wall. All you have to do is cut a hole with the template. There are no exterior brackets
scott  Jun 09, 2015
A
They DO NOT. I really didn't need them. They come with a template to cut your hole. Once you have done this you and have wired then you push the speaker up into the ceiling. The hole is smaller than the flange. You then turn 4 tabs with a screw driver from below and tighten. Slip on the metal grill cover and you are good to go. If by chance you are mounting outside on an overhang I would suggest you spray paint the grill and flange with a good out door paint to match. I had a previous pair that rusted. I did this as a prevention on the replacements. Hope this helps. They really are good speakers and fairly priced.
james s  Jun 08, 2015
A
Yes, they do!
william  Jun 08, 2015
A
No
william  Jun 07, 2015
A
No, you need to purchase the pre construction brackets separately.
kenneth  Jun 07, 2015
A
no they have a template for the hole to cut but have a bracket built into speaker that mounts them to drywall
al  Jun 07, 2015
Q
I'm replacing a set of in ceiling flush mounts w these. My holes are already cut out, at slightly larger than these require. (9.8"). I know I'll have a bit of a gap, around 3/16", around the circumference of the install. I need to know what the OD of the grill is to insure it will cover my loose fit??? Anybody?? Thanks
michael e  Jan 16, 2015
5 answers
A
You guys are awesome!! I guess I can pull this thread now. Thx a bunch heap!!! M
michael e  Jan 20, 2015
A
I replaced Bic Speakers with the Polk. They are exactly the same. Probably both made at the same place in China. Who knows? Anyway, I still have the Bics and I just measured them. They were an exact match so my cut out was the same and perfect. The diameter of the white ring around the speaker is 10 and 3.4ths inches and the diameter of the slip in grill that covers the speaker is 9 and 1/8 inch. Hope this helps. By the way, I am using these outside at house overhang near swimming pool. Using a Onkyo AV Receiver about 120 watts. Works fine. Think my cut out was 9.5 inchs.
james s  Jan 19, 2015
A
Thanks brother!, that's what I needed
michael e  Jan 19, 2015
A
O/D of the grill is 10.5".
steve  Jan 18, 2015
A
Never replace an inwall with a smaller one. You may get vibration or distortion from air pass through. It way better to buy a speaker with a slightly larger diameter even though you may have to enlarge the hole.
george  Jan 18, 2015
Q
I would like to install this in a drop-ceiling area. Will the entire weight of the speaker be on the ceiling tile to cause it to sag over the years, or is there a special drop-ceiling brace to shift weight onto the ceiling track? Thanks
kenneth  Dec 31, 2014
2 answers
A
The weight of the speaker can cause sag issues with the ceiling tile, but they make brackets that span 24" (typical ceiling tile dimension that support the weight across the span from metal track to metal track. Let me explain better, the "bracket" is a flat metal plate with a hole that will allow the speaker to slip thru while holding the speakersecurely in place. To see what the brackets look like search " drop ceiling speaker bracket" under any search engine and it should show images.
george  Jan 11, 2015
A
i dont know the answer to this--my speakers were installed in a wall-not a ceiling
phil  Jan 02, 2015
Q
Looking at getting these for my 5.1 surround sound. If I buy two pairs for the front and rears, what should I buy for the center channel? I am looking at installing them all on the ceiling.
carlos  Sep 03, 2014
1 answer
A
I forwarded your question to an Advisor and they responded with the following: The Polk RC series speakers do not voice match any other series. You should get another RC80i to use for the center channel speaker. If you would like to discuss further you can contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat.
kristina  Sep 04, 2014 (Staff)
Q
Can these speakers be used outside in a porch ceiling?
lonnie  Aug 16, 2014
6 answers
A
They are indoor speakers, but it shouldn't be a problem being under a covered porch. Only make sure the porch roof has no moisture coming through. Enjoy!
mario  Aug 21, 2014
A
We put them in a little over a year ago in boxed in eaves on our back deck that is exposed to some pretty severe weather conditions here in central Oregon. We get both below freezing temps during the winter and above 90 in the summer and they have performed well and sound great! No problems.
william  Aug 18, 2014
A
Yes as long as not heavy moisture. I put them in my bathroom ceiling so they can handle some moisture. Nice speakers too by the way.
douglas richard  Aug 17, 2014
A
I have used these speakers in my basement. However, as per product specifications it is constructed of durable, moisture-resistant materials for use in bathrooms, saunas, or under outdoor eaves.
sanjay  Aug 17, 2014
A
Sound for these are amazing... Don't know about the weather concerns you have but in az I would have no problem trusting these for at least 4-5 years
bradley  Aug 17, 2014
A
Yes that's where mine are. And awesome!
luis  Aug 17, 2014
Q
Do these speakers need to be installed in pairs? I'm installing a whole house audio system and wondered if I have two rooms that each require only one speaker, if I could use these...
michael  May 07, 2014
5 answers
A
The speakers do not need to be installed as pairs as there is no left or right speaker. Having said that, I'm assuming that you will be using a monaural signal, otherwise the sound will be off. I used this pair in my kitchen ceiling, but found that I needed to supplement the bass with a subwoofer to get the deep sound that I wanted. The treble and midrange is excellent, for an overall sound that is good. If you want deep bass without adding a subwoofer, you may want to chose a different speaker.
john  May 08, 2014
A
Then your room would not be in stereo and would give a mono sound output
brad  May 08, 2014
A
You could do just one speaker per room but you'll lose the "stereo" effect. So, if the vocal is coming out of the left speaker because of the way the music was recorded, then you won't hear it in the room with the right speaker (unless you can tell your receiver to send "mono" or one signal carrying both the left and right signals). Most of the time what you're looking to do will sound ok, but with music and movies it's unlikely to be great.
casey  May 07, 2014
A
We bought the rc80i by mistake - they do need to be put up in pairs. We intended to get and did get the MC80 which are individual speakers which sound great on their own. I would recommend them.
bill  May 07, 2014
A
No they can be set up as one. But of course it would sound way better as pairs. Good luck mine sound amazing.
luis  May 07, 2014
Q
How thick of a wallboard material can these mount to? For example, can I mount them in 3/4" wood instead of standard 1/2" drywall?
tyler  May 06, 2014
3 answers
A
I mounted mine in 5/8 drywall, I am sure they would work in 3/4.
brett  May 08, 2014
A
Yes. As the previous reviewer answered, there are 4 long mounting screws that use a rotating cam to pull the speaker to the wall/ceiling. I used these speakers on 5/8 inch drywall. 3/4 inch should be no problem.
john  May 08, 2014
A
Yes, the screw mounts are adjustable.
cleveland  May 08, 2014
Q
My house came wired for a 6.2 system. I purchased a Onkyo 6.2 receiver and a Onkyo center front channel speaker. I'm looking for the five speakers in my ceiling will the Polk RC 80i work good for them? I'm not a sound freak I just want a good movie watching experience.
shawn  Mar 25, 2014
1 answer
A
I forwarded your question to an Advisor and they responded with the following: I think that would be a great addition to your home! A lot of our customers use those speakers for that application. If you would like to discuss further you can contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat.
kristina  Mar 28, 2014 (Staff)
Q
When installing this in ceiling, can it be in contact with blown in insulation?
keith  Feb 16, 2014
10 answers
A
The backside of the speaker will be exposed so you will want to keep any insulation off of the speaker.
thomas  Mar 19, 2014
A
yes, i use cheap plastic shower caps to cover the speakers(cut little hole for speaker wire to get thru. hope you find this helpful
john  Feb 18, 2014
A
we also have blown in insulation and what we did is cleared the insulation away and put a little plywood box over the area just to make it safe but it doesn't seem like it would hurt to have the insulation on speaker.
william  Feb 18, 2014
A
When I installed both of my speakers I cleared the blown insulation away from the speakers. I didn't want to take a chance on the insulation messing up the speakers
hector  Feb 18, 2014
A
My install was in new construction. I put 2x4s on either side of the speaker from rafter to rafter and then screwed a piece of plywood over the top before blowing in insulation. I was a little worried about the insulation packing down inside the speaker and affecting the performance.
thomas  Feb 17, 2014
A
Not sure. I used foam insulation. Better contact polk
douglas richard  Feb 17, 2014
A
I'd recommend using speaker baffles no only for protection, peace of mind and sound quality. http://www.crutchfield.com/g_762/Foam-Speaker-Baffles.html
mario  Feb 17, 2014
A
I would recommend some sort of barrier like a speaker baffles. Not only is there a protection element, but peace of mind. The benefit also, is that sound quality is improved with putting covers on. An alternative is using tupperware dishes deep enough to cover the exposed back side. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_237XT55/XTC-5-1-4-Speaker-Baffles-3-3-4-depth.html?tp=2809
mario  Feb 17, 2014
A
Yes. I haven't noticed anything abnormal with sound quality. This is a very good speaker for the money!
andre  Feb 17, 2014
A
Hmm. Crutchfield sent this to me, but it should be answered by the manufacturer. I would think that, since speakers move, they shouldn't have blown in insulation surrounding them.
jeffrey  Feb 17, 2014
Q
Could I use 16 gauge wire with these or would I need 14?
dylan  Jan 12, 2014
8 answers
A
EIther would work, really more about the distance from the stereo not the size of the speaker.
robert m  Jan 16, 2014
A
Depends on the length of the cable. We are using 16 to cover about 20 foot lengths. Beyond that, I would use 14.
curt v  Jan 13, 2014
A
I believe I used 16 ga in wall rated. I will double ck when I get home from work today.
thomas  Jan 13, 2014
A
I'm pretty sure I have 16 gauge wire for all of my speakers. Works just fine.
jeffrey  Jan 13, 2014
A
I used 16 gauge and they sound great!
clint  Jan 13, 2014
A
yes you can use 16 gauge wire but if you are running long distance then you better off using 14 gauge.
asma  Jan 12, 2014
A
According to the crutchfield website, if you're less than 50' you can use 16 gauge wire unless you have high end equipment and want to improve sound.
christopher k  Jan 12, 2014
A
Yes. The lower the gauge the better (generally), but 16 gauge should work perfectly unless you're running it further than 25 feet.
casey  Jan 12, 2014
SHOW MORESHOW LESS

Loading articles...

Compare the sound