David Jensen wrote:

I am setting up a whole house audio system consisting of in ceiling speakers
linked to Phoenix Gold Transformerless volume controls which are connected
to an impedance adjusting Phoenix Gold SAM Panel. I am planning on using my
PC to feed line level audio signals to an amplifier that will power the SAM
Panel.

Why? This sounds like a really silly way of getting around using a 70V
system. The 70V distribution stuff is a lot simpler, probably more
reliable, and if you use good transformers it can sound good.

I need some advice on what brands you would recommend on the lower end of
the spectrum. By that I mean as far below $100/pair as you say that I can
safely go. Understand that these are not being used for home theater.
Rather they are just so that the music - pop, classical, Christian
contemporary can follow one throughout a rather large house. I don't have a
critical ear and so don't want to pay more for something that I or most
people wouldn't hear.

I don't know of anything down there. The Tannoy in-ceiling stuff is not
bad at all but it's around $100 per speaker. Even going with something
like the 8" full-range Atlas drivers that you see used in supermarket
paging systems, you'll be paying around $60/pair, and I wouldn't want that
stuff in my home.

It is possible that AMK might have something usable. They are a Korean
company that makes some coaxial-design in-ceiling speakers for the installed
sound market.

I was planning on going with the 6.5 inch side since that worked well for me
before. Could you please advise what are the minimal critical specs that
you recommend that I don't go below? I'm also confused on crossover
circuitry for in-ceiling speakers. Do most such speakers have them or not?
Is there a problem with mixing speaker sizes in the arrangement that I
describe?

Most in-ceiling speakers are crappy 8" full-range drivers with no crossover.
The Tannoy ICT stuff has no crossover because of the way the coaxial tweeter
assembly is designed, but it's really a 2-way. Some of the installed sound
stuff is 2-way but most of it uses really spitty dome tweeters that I cannot
stand.

Would you find any of the speakers linked below acceptable for what I've
described.

Where do you FIND this stuff?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."