A soundbar is the easy option. In-wall speakers deliver better audio, cleaner aesthetics, and a more immersive result — but only if they’re planned before the frame goes up. Here’s what the planning involves and whether it’s right for your build.
Quick answer
- Plan before the frame: In-wall speakers need to be specified before the stud work starts — you can’t retrofit them cleanly once plasterboard is on.
- You need an AV receiver: In-wall speakers are passive — they need an external amplifier or AV receiver to drive them. That needs a home in the build too.
- Cable runs are the key variable: Speaker cable needs to run from the receiver location to each speaker position before boards go on.
- The result is worth it: Properly installed in-wall speakers are invisible in the room and far better than any soundbar for surround sound.
In-wall speakers vs a soundbar: the real difference
A soundbar is a single bar-shaped device that sits below or above the TV. It handles left, right, and sometimes centre-channel audio from one housing. Some high-end soundbars simulate surround sound via reflective audio.
In-wall speakers are individual drivers — one per channel — mounted directly into the wall surface. They’re wired back to an AV receiver that separates and amplifies each channel. A typical 5.1 surround setup has five speakers (front left, front right, centre, rear left, rear right) and one subwoofer.
The individual placement of each speaker means audio genuinely comes from where it should. Front left audio from the left. Rear audio from behind you. The stereo image is accurate in a way that a soundbar — even a very good one — can’t reproduce from a single cabinet.
What the media wall build needs to accommodate
In-wall speakers change the framing and cabling requirements of the build. Here’s what needs planning.
Speaker recesses in the stud frame
Each in-wall speaker needs a cut-out in the plasterboard, with a backing box or frame behind it. The speaker sits in this recess and is secured to the wall. The frame needs to be built with this in mind — studs need to be positioned to allow the required cut-out dimensions without compromising structural integrity. For standard 4–8 inch in-wall speakers, this is straightforward with timber stud construction.
Speaker cable runs
Each speaker needs two-core speaker cable running back to the AV receiver location. In a front 2.0 stereo setup that’s just two cable runs. In a full 5.1 or 7.1 surround setup, that’s five to seven runs — some of which may need to run across the room to rear speaker positions.
This is the part that catches people out. Rear speaker cables need to run under floors or through walls to reach positions behind the listening position. This work has to be done before floors and finishes are complete.
AV receiver location
The AV receiver needs to live somewhere accessible — usually inside a ventilated section of the media wall. This needs a power socket, HDMI connections, and ventilation to prevent overheating. Build in at least 150mm of depth and a ventilated door or panel for this section.
See our guide on planning sockets and wiring for a media wall for the full rundown on what electrics to plan inside the build.
Speaker positioning: where do the speakers go?
Front stereo (2.0)
Left and right speakers positioned either side of the TV at ear height when seated — for most in-wall speakers that’s between 900mm and 1100mm from the floor. Ideally matched to the tweeter (upper driver) height.
Front three (Left, Centre, Right — LCR)
Adding a centre channel speaker below the TV dramatically improves dialogue clarity. This is often the single best upgrade from basic stereo. The centre speaker handles most of the speech in a film, so getting it close to the screen makes voices sound like they come from the picture.
Full 5.1 surround
Front LCR as above, plus two surround channels positioned to the rear sides of the listening position. These typically go into the side walls or rear wall — not the media wall itself. A subwoofer is usually a standalone unit placed near the front wall for bass reinforcement.
Which speakers should you specify?
A few guidelines for specifying sensibly:
- Match sensitivity to room size: Larger rooms need higher-sensitivity speakers (88dB+ for a standard living room; 90dB+ for large open plan spaces with a powerful AV receiver).
- Use a matched set: For surround setups, use speakers from the same manufacturer’s range. Timbre matching — the tonal consistency between speakers — matters for surround sound to feel coherent.
- Budget ranges: Entry-level UK in-wall speakers from £80–£150 per speaker. Mid-range (Monitor Audio, Wharfedale, Q Acoustics) from £150–£400 per speaker. High-end installations can go significantly higher.
What about wireless in-wall speaker systems?
A small number of in-wall speaker systems use wireless audio transmission for rear channels — typically where running physical cable is difficult. These systems still require a power connection at each speaker position, so they’re not fully wireless. The cable work is simpler, but it’s not eliminated.
For new builds or fresh renovations, physical cabling is more reliable, has no latency, and doesn’t depend on software or Wi-Fi to function. It’s nearly always the better option if cables can be run during the build.
What a realistic audio budget looks like
For a front stereo pair (2.0) with a decent stereo amplifier, budget from around £600–£900 all in for mid-range equipment. For a 5.1 surround setup with five speakers and an AV receiver, a realistic mid-range budget is £1,500–£3,000 depending on brands and room size. This is separate from the media wall build cost.
The media wall itself is quoted separately — see our TV media walls service page for a full overview of what’s included in a standard build.
Frequently asked questions
Can in-wall speakers be added after the media wall is built?
Front speakers can be added after the build with some disruption — you’re cutting into existing plasterboard. The harder part is the cable run. If speaker cable wasn’t installed during the build, you’ll need to find a route back to the AV receiver position. For rear speakers, this becomes significantly more invasive. The ideal is always to plan at the frame stage.
Do I need an AV receiver or can I use an amplifier?
For a multi-channel surround setup you need an AV receiver — it handles the decoding of surround formats (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-X etc.) and amplifies each channel. For a simple stereo 2.0 setup, a standard stereo amplifier works fine. Budget AV receivers from Yamaha, Denon, and Marantz start from around £250–£350 and are well-matched to mid-range in-wall speaker sets.
Will in-wall speakers affect the structural integrity of the media wall?
Not significantly, provided the cut-outs are positioned between studs and use backing boxes designed for the speaker model. Standard 6.5-inch in-wall speakers fit comfortably between timber studs at standard 400mm or 600mm spacing. The speaker adds mass to the wall but doesn’t compromise structural integrity.
Do I need to tell Media Wall Master about in-wall speakers at the quote stage?
Yes — it affects the stud layout, cabling plan, and depth of the AV equipment section. Tell us at the initial quote stage and we’ll factor it into the build design from the start. It’s much easier to plan from the beginning than to adapt a completed design.
Ready to plan a media wall with in-wall audio?
Tell us your room size, TV size, and whether you want a fireplace. If you’re thinking about in-wall speakers, mention the room dimensions and seating position — we’ll factor the speaker recesses and cable routes into the build design from the start.
We cover Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Leeds and South Yorkshire. Get in touch and we’ll tell you what’s realistic.
Get in touch with Media Wall Master
Call 07477 405111 | Email dan@mediawallmaster.co.uk