How much speaker do you need?
This takes some thought. For a larger room, you generally want
a speaker with a larger woofer. This is going to be a matter
of how much you want to pay versus how much quality you want.
Speakers with a larger woofer are generally more efficient and
provide better dynamics (although this depends on the
particular brand and model you are looking at). The larger
surface area of a large woofer helps fill a large room with
sound. Larger woofer size also provides better bass response.
Human hearing limits are from 20 Hz to 20 Khz, although many
people can not hear the full range. A better quality speaker
will also provide better sounding midrange and treble
response. You can have two different speaker models with the
same specifications on paper that sound very different. There
are many reasons for this that are too complex for this guide.
Generally use common sense. For example, the BIC America
models we sell have speakers with a standard woofer, and some
with a Kevlar woofer. Those with a Kevlar woofer may provide
superior sound at a higher price with specifications that look
about the same as their other models.
Do you know what the specifications mean?
You should learn what the specifications mean so that you can
properly judge what you are buying. Unfortunately there are
some manufacturers and resellers that exaggerate the
specifications of the speakers. They do this by various means,
one of the most common being to make the wattage the speaker
can handle appear larger. RMS watts are what you want to use
for comparison. Using the so called “peak wattage” (which can
be a valid measurement) makes the capability look much
greater. The trick is most people don’t know that this is not
a continuous music power measurement, but is the power that
can be handled for a fraction of a second before burning out.
Do you want to use them outside?
Then you need a waterproof speaker. In addition, sound gets
lost much easier outside without bass reinforcement from the
extra walls in a room. A speaker will sound lower volume and
seem to have less bass used in an outside wall, so think
larger woofer and more power handling capability.
Do they mount easily?
Most in wall speakers use a simple clamp system which is
attached to the speaker. The BIC America models we sell mount
easily. You make a speaker size hole using the provided
templates and set the speaker inside. With the grill off you
see several Philips style screws around the edge. Simply
tighten the screws and the clamps pop out from the edge of the
speaker. As the screws are tightened, the speaker clamps down.
Do you have everything else you need?
In wall speakers need to be attached using a CL2 or CL3 rated
cable. Tools you may need include a Philips screwdriver,
ladder, pencil, drywall saw, fish tape for the cable and a
vacuum to clean up the mess. You might also want a wall plate
for the other end of the cable. If so, the wall plate needs to
be attached to an in wall box or a “mud ring”.
Are you going to be using more than 1 pair of speakers on your
system?
If so, you need to know about providing impedance matching for
your amplifier or receiver. You will need to use an impedance
matching speaker selector or volume controls.

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