Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M3 In-Ceiling, how to mount to a drop ceiling?

The room I'm using in the basement has an existing drop ceiling, that I don't want to replace at this time. Looking at getting some speakers for Dolby Atmos and considering the M3 in-ceilings, but the only way I can think of putting them up is making an MDF ceiling tile, cutting a hole in it for the in-ceiling speaker, and hanging it from the drop ceiling suspension. Anyone have any alternative mounting that might work for a drop ceiling? Also considering getting another set of M3 on-walls, asking for the mounting post in the back so I could us a full metal bracket to hang from the joists above, then re-frame the drop ceiling around the speaker. Anyone have options for me that I can consider (other than drywalling the ceiling). Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Derek
M60 fronts, M3OW side surrounds, QS8 rear surrounds.

1/2” plywood cut to same size as tile with hole cut in it from ceiling speaker template. Put on top of ceiling tile in existing grid. Cut through ceiling tile from below to edge of plywood circle. Install speaker.

If the grid is close to the joist you will have to preplan for locations. For ATMOS ceiling speakers use tilted configuration. Options out there if you look.

Trever’s suggestion is a good one. You don’t what to use MDF as it’s heavy. 1/2” ply is much lighter. The only other issue I can see is if the ceiling sags a bit under the weight … you might have to put a support tie or two in on the frame in that area.

I like it. I hadn't thought of using the wood as a backer, and I was hesitant about the MDF for the weight reason as rrlev suggests. Thanks for the tip.

I'm going to need to mount my M3 in-ceilings in a drop ceiling as well. I was assuming I would do plywood as well, but I haven't gotten to the point of starting the project for the simple reason that I still haven't bought a new pre-pro that will output to those channels yet. I will be interested in seeing how this turns out.

Done dozens this way. PA systems.

Good to know. No issues with speakers vibrating the grid? I have neoprene to put around the perimeter of the plywood as some isolation just in case. Also have a roll of MLV I never used that I figured I could put above the speaker to hopefully cut down on sound traveling up, though I don't know how effective it will be.

No issues. No buzzing etc.

Just finished ordering a set of M3IC to try this out, will update with how this works out for me.

I got my speakers this week and set them up. Decided to add some additional drop bars to make the installation easier. I had some 3/8” OSB sitting around, so decided to try that , rather than spending $70+ on a new sheet of 1/2 from Home Depot. It seems to work well, I did 24x24 sections to hold the speakers and it doesn’t look out of place. It helped to put them in, lifting the wood and ceiling tile into place in the larger opening, then adding the extra drop bar to make the 24x24 space. The 3/8” OSB seems sturdy enough, the speakers were quite a bit lighter than I was expecting. Tried a few scenes to hear them work and pleased with the results so far. The ceiling panels are Fiberglas in my ceiling and they seem to cushion the board sitting above them, so no more rattles or ceiling noise than normal. Thanks for the advice TrevorM.