In-wall speakers are hotter than ever these days. However, there are those who still don't like to see a rectangular outline of a speaker on the wall, hidden as it might be, which has given rise to in-ceiling loudspeakers. In-ceiling loudspeakers work well for whole-house audio systems or for rear channels in a home theater, but when it comes to front speakers, they leave little to be desired, until now. Paradigm, makers of some of the finest affordable loudspeakers on the planet, have created an in-ceiling speaker that, get this, sounds and performs like a traditional in-wall main.

Additional Resources
• Read dozens more in-wall and in-ceiling speaker reviews from this resource page from HomeTheaterReview.com.

Retailing for $249 each, the CS-60R-30 is unique for an in-ceiling speaker in that it features a 30-degree tilt to the drivers, allowing them to fire more precisely at the listening position for proper imaging and focus, rather than firing straight down, the way most in-ceiling speakers do. The CS-60R-30 has a two-way design, featuring a one-inch dome tweeter mated to a six-and-a-half-inch bass/midrange driver. The CS-60R-30 has a reported frequency response of 70Hz to 20kHz and a stated sensitivity of 89dB into an eight-ohm load.

Due to the CS-60R-30's 30-degree rake, it's a bit larger than some in-ceiling speakers, requiring a bit more space between your ceilings joists at 10-and-a-half inches. However, if you have the space needed, the installation and painting is easy enough for the DIY'er, not unlike other in-wall or in-ceiling speakers in its class.

Read about the high points and the low points of the CS-60R-30 on Page 2.