Invisable Speakers

Invisible Speakers  
There are “invisible” speakers. And then there are INVISIBLE speakers. In-wall and in-ceiling speakers are sometimes referred to as “invisible,” but that would be stretching the truth. Yes, they are unobtrusive and discrete, but you can still plainly see their mounting flanges and speaker grilles even when painted. Tiny subwoofer/satellite speaker systems are sometimes described as “invisible.” Again, that could be considered a bit of marketing spin. This tutorial is about real INVISBLE speakers: speakers that are completely, totally, 100% invisible to the listener. How’s that possible? Glad you asked.

The secret to invisibility  
In one aspect, an invisible speaker is similar to a standard in-wall or in-ceiling speaker. They all require a hole to be cut through the drywall. But that’s where the similarity ends. In a standard in-wall or in-ceiling speaker, the woofers and tweeters create sound just like they do in any conventional speaker, with their sound output escaping through the holes of the speaker grille. That’s why they aren’t truly invisible.

In a true invisible speaker, the woofers and tweeters are physically attached to a flat panel that looks like standard drywall material. When the woofers and tweeters vibrate, the flat panel vibrates, which then creates the sounds that you want hear. If the design is carefully crafted, there is very little difference in sound performance from the woofers and tweeters by themselves, and then coupled to the flat-panel.

But what really makes the speaker invisible is in the way it’s installed. A hole is precisely cut in the drywall, the invisible speaker is mounted in the hole so the flat panel material mates with the drywall that surrounds it, and then both are joined together using traditional drywall joining materials and techniques. When finished, the invisible speaker will be totally seamless with the wall that surrounds it. Viola. Even the cloaking device from Star Trek couldn’t do better.

Learn more
Find out more about invisible speakers from a Sound Advice expert. We know all about the best products and also how to install them. This is important stuff; don’t trust it to the amateurs. Give a call or click help.