In Wall Speakers Vs Towers – Which One Is Better?

Choosing speakers can be a real dilemma considering the plethora of options available. People with a sense of aesthetics may go for in-wall audio systems. Those who focus more on sound quality vouches for tower speakers.

So, which one would be better among in-wall speakers vs towers?

In-wall speakers save more space than towers as they’re installed on the wall. Tower speakers are floor-standing and movable. They’ve more audio drivers and are larger than in-wall speakers. They produce loud and clear sounds. In-wall speakers suffer from sound loss and complex maintenance issues.

That’s the tip of the iceberg. We’ve got more stories to tell. So join us on this whole ride on unravelling the winning side.

Let’s begin!

In Wall Speakers Vs Towers: Quick Comparison

Before we move on to thorough discussions let’s take a look at the highlighting differences.

Aspect	In Wall Speaker	Tower Speakers
Size	Smaller, more compact	Taller
Sound Loss	Maximum	Minimum
Number of Drives	Less	More
Aesthetics	Varies	Better
Sound Quality	Varies	Better
Maintenance	Hard	Easy
Cost	$54-$1908	$71-$2378
Product Link	Check price on Amazon	Check price on Amazon

In Wall Speakers Vs Towers: Detailed Comparison

Just a quick comparison isn’t what you’re looking for, right? So join us in the detailed discussion.

Build & Size:

While choosing a speaker the first thing one notices is the design of the device. The sizing is also important. Same category speakers are easily comparable in this aspect.

However, that’s not the case for in-wall and tower speakers. Because these two types of speakers have different build styles. From the name you can assume that in-wall speakers are hung on the walls.

If you ever buy a house with built-in speakers it’s most likely an in-wall speaker. The device is set to be placed on the wall of your home theatre. 

So, it kind of stays hidden away like one of the modern furniture. Sometimes they are barely noticeable if the size is small.

In comparison to tower speakers, in-wall speakers are typically compact and the sleekest type. You can imagine them as smaller and more closely-packed versions than tower speakers.

So, one of the greatest advantages of it is it saves space. Placing them on the wall already saves space. But since most of them are smaller in size they are also not much noticeable.

The tower speaker is the opposite of it. They’re floor-standing and tall. Thus they take up quite some space in your room. They’re easily noticeable and are preferred for bigger rooms.

The height of the device gives assurance that the sound gets streamed from various channels. People who are fond of sound equipment will more likely prefer tower speakers.

Winner: Tower speaker for portability option.

Sound Quality:

Although size matters, the performance of speakers is a more important aspect to evaluate. After all, what’s the point of buying sound speakers if it doesn’t sound good?

In this aspect, in-wall speakers fall shorter on performance. It’s a well-known fact that tower speakers produce better sound quality. Because it’s capable of making larger sound frequencies thanks to its size.

The number of audio drivers used in the tower speakers is also greater. So the sound comes out loud and clears reaching all the corners. It also gives deeper bass than an in-wall speaker.

Finding the perfect spot for it might be cumbersome. But it’s well worth the effort you’ll put in. Another important fact is that the loss of sound is very minimal in tower speakers.

The opposite is true for in-wall speakers. Among all types of speakers, in-wall speakers have the higher sound loss ratio. Because some of the frequencies get blocked by the wall. 

It’s one of the biggest drawbacks of an in wall sound system. The number of drivers in the in-wall speaker system is also less than in tower speakers. So, the sound may turn out to be weaker than you expected.

Another important part is that, to control the sound level you can use remote. However, you can find both analog or digital volume control options for that too.

Winner: Tower speaker for producing better sound.

Maintenance: 

The maintenance of in-wall speakers is a lot more complex than tower speakers. That’s because once the speaker is installed on the wall it’s hard to make changes.

If you wish to change any equipment or the placement you’d have to undo installation. You’d also have to consider a lot of options before you finally make up your mind. 

Since it can’t be moved like tower speakers, proper placement is very important. Otherwise, you won’t get to enjoy the optimal sound quality it can provide.

Maintenance of the in-wall audio system requires the uninstallment of the whole device. So, dealing with a broken in-wall speaker won’t be easy. 

On the contrary, floor-standing speakers are portable. Their placement doesn’t have to be fixed. So, even if something goes wrong, maintenance won’t be extra complex. 

Winner: Tower speaker for ease of cleaning.

Cost:

One of the major advantages of in-wall speakers is that they are cost-friendly. In other words, they’re cheap. So, in case you have a tight budget in-wall speakers are a viable option. Here’s my recommendation for in-wall speakers.

• Micca M-8S – for budget friendly option.

• Polk Audio RC85i – loud sound production.

• Sonos In-Wall Speakers – for simplicity.

However, keep in mind that the outcome might be the bare minimum or unsatisfactory. If you wish to upgrade your in-wall sound system it’s gonna cost more.

To get the same sound quality as a tower speaker the cost will be high. It might even surpass the cost of an actual tower speaker. So, if you have an adequate budget, it’s better to go for tower speakers.

Here are some of my favorite tower speakers.

• Sony SSCS3 – Signature Sony sound.

• Polk Monitor XT70 – DTS:X compatibility.

• Samsung MX-T40 – High Audio Output.

Winner: In-wall speaker for being cheaper.

In Wall Speakers Vs Towers: The One You Should Get Your Hands On!

It’s undoubtedly that the tower speaker wins this fight. But that doesn’t mean in-wall speakers are bad. They save space and give a more professional appearance to your home theatre.

They’re also cheap and sometimes even aesthetically pleasing. But if sound quality is the priority I’m sure you’ll be picking a tower speaker. They are definitely a step ahead of the in-wall speakers in terms of performance.

They’re easily moveable. Maintaining maintenance is also easy. Although they are pricey they are very much worth the money. Meaning you won’t be disappointed. 

However, be mindful of the things you should look for when choosing floor-standing speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do in-wall speakers increase your home value?

In-wall speakers do increase your house value. You can add the expense to your list if you ever sell your property. Buyers will presume that they’re receiving an additional benefit. Since not many people add in-wall audio systems in home theatres. 

Do tower speakers need a subwoofer?

Tower speakers also known as floor-standing speakers do not require a subwoofer. Because it already provides deep bass music. But if you want more intense and deep bass you can add a subwoofer. Tower speakers let you hear the bass but the subwoofer will let you feel it.

What are two-way and three-way speakers?

2-way speakers are the most basic type of tower speakers in the market. They have two types of drives. One is called a woofer and the other one is called a tweeter. Three-way speakers have three different drivers. A mid-range, a woofer, and a tweeter. 

EndNote

That’s all from us regarding in-wall speakers vs towers speakers. Now you know the pros and cons of both in-wall and tower speakers.

We hope that the discussion was able to help you make up your mind. Make sure to place your speaker in the right spot to get the optimal output.

Happy reading!