Polk Audio LC80i Main / Stereo Speaker

The Polk Audio LC80i is a round ceiling speaker that delivers exceptional sound. This is a component speaker that has an 8” midrange and separate tweeter. The speaker is a complete housing with even its finish-flange as part of the speaker’s structure. The advantage of this configuration is full delivery of sound through the speaker’s housing with no requirement for adding an enclosure. Once you “flush-up” the speaker’s flange to your dry-wall, there’s no loss of sound.

The midrange driver is set at 15 degrees allowing you to adjust staging and direction by rotating the entire speaker mount when placing the unit in your ceiling. You simply aim and rotate the speaker where you want your midrange sound. The tweeter’s mount allows independent aiming (up to 15 degrees no matter how you rotate the entire speaker housing) for a very precise sound staging arrangement. The ability to independently aim this speaker’s tweeter is a significant advantage.

You can easily mount this speaker in existing construction by using the template included with the speaker. You cut a round hole matching the template, insert the speaker in the hole, and tighten the mounting screws. Polk Audio has devised a system that automatically engages the speaker-mounts as you tighten the screws. It is the easiest system I’ve used when mounting a ceiling or in-wall speaker.

If you are at the pre-construction stage (and before you have installed dry-wall), you can use Polk Audio’s Pre-Construction PB LC/TC 80 Brackets (Polk Part # AW0181-A). These are rings you mount across your studs for precise placement and easy mounting your Polk Audio ceiling/wall speakers.

I placed four Polk Audio LC80i speakers in my ceiling (front right, front left, surround right, and surround left). The sound is just phenomenal (realistic and clear). I added a center speaker at the TV’s position and a subwoofer to complete the 5.1 setup.

Polk Audio LC80i is a fairly expensive speaker, but you can buy these at very favorable prices on eBay.