Sonance C6R-SST
Equivalent product
Sonance C6R-SST, stereo in a single ceiling speaker
In a hallway, kitchen or office of just a few square metres, installing two ceiling speakers for stereo quickly becomes complicated: they end up too close together, or the listener only hears one of them depending on where they stand. Sonance solves the problem by combining both channels in a single round 16.5 cm speaker, which fits into an existing ceiling and disappears behind a frameless grille.
Two channels combined in a single speaker
The SST suffix refers to Sonance’s Single Stereo principle: the speaker receives both the left and right channels and reproduces them from a single point in the ceiling. The 165 mm woofer features a dual voice coil (two independent windings, one per channel, that move the same cone), while the two tweeters share the high frequencies, each fed by one channel. In a small room, everyone hears the entire track regardless of where they are: the guitar mixed to the left or backing vocals placed on the right do not disappear when you move away from one side. The compromise is in the soundstage, which does not spread between two points as it does with a pair. It is a sensible choice where conventional stereo would not have had room to perform properly anyway.
A 16.5 cm woofer and two fabric tweeters
The woofer cone is made of polypropylene, a lightweight, rigid material that does not warp with changes in humidity in a ceiling. It is mounted on a rubber surround that accommodates the large movements needed for bass. The two 25 mm fabric-dome tweeters are cooled by ferrofluid: a liquid containing magnetic particles, located in the speaker’s motor assembly, dissipates heat from the coil and damps its movement, helping the treble stay clean as the volume rises. The stated frequency response extends from 50 Hz to 20 kHz at ±3 dB, offering deep bass for a ceiling speaker of this diameter. Its actual bass foundation depends on the volume of air available above the suspended ceiling, since the speaker, with no back box, uses this space directly as its acoustic enclosure.
Quick installation in an existing ceiling
Sonance’s RotoLock mounting system uses tabs that rotate behind the plasterboard and clamp onto it when the screws are tightened from the front. Installation is carried out from below, without access to the loft, making it equally suitable for new builds and renovations where you do not want to reopen the ceiling. The cut-out is 210 mm in diameter, and the speaker requires 95 mm of clear depth. These dimensions are shared with the C6R, the standard version installed in pairs: the same cutting template can be used throughout a project combining conventional stereo rooms and Single Stereo rooms.
A frameless grille that blends into the ceiling
Once installed, the speaker leaves only a 232 mm disc visible. The perforated steel grille is held in place by magnets and sits flush with the ceiling without a visible flange, unlike framed models that create a ring around the speaker. It can be painted to match the ceiling, making it barely noticeable once painted. The perforations must remain clear: a few thin passes with a spray gun or aerosol are better than a thick coat applied with a roller.
Amplification and wiring for a Single Stereo speaker
Since it receives both channels, the C6R-SST alone uses both outputs of a stereo amplifier and connects using a four-conductor cable (two pairs, one per channel) instead of the usual two-conductor cable. Its nominal impedance of 8 Ω, which does not drop below 6 Ω, presents no difficulty for any mainstream amplifier, whether an integrated amplifier, a multiroom zone amplifier or a network amplifier. It handles 5 to 85 W, and its sensitivity of 88 dB (at 2.8 V at 1 m) is average: a few dozen watts are enough for background music or more focused listening in the rooms it is suited to.
Documentation
Technical specifications
Identification and configuration
- Type: in-ceiling speaker
- Configuration: stereo from a single speaker
- Reference: 93125 — black
Acoustic specifications
- Drivers:
- 2 tweeters with 25 mm fabric domes
- Number of tweeters: 1
- 165 mm polypropylene woofer
- Woofer diameter: 165.1 mm / 165 mm
- Frequency response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz ± 3 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω nominal, 6 Ω minimum
- Power handling: 5 W minimum, 85 W maximum
- RMS power: 5 – 85 W
- Sensitivity:
- 88 dB SPL (2.8 V / 1 m)
- 88 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
Installation and finish
- Grille: perforated steel, magnetic, with no visible rim
- Mounting: Sonance RotoLock®
- Cutout diameter: 210 mm
- Cutout: Ø 205 mm
Warranty
- Speaker: limited lifetime warranty
- Grille: 5 years
Dimensions and weight
- External dimensions (Ø × D): 232 × 95 mm
- Dimensions: Ø 229.9 × 96.5 mm
- Weight: 1.63 kg
- Packaged weight: 2.4 kg
Frequently asked questions
What does SST mean in the speaker's name?
SST stands for Single Stereo, the name Sonance gives to its speakers that reproduce both stereo channels from a single enclosure. The C6R, without a suffix, is the standard version with a single pivoting tweeter, installed in pairs with one speaker for the left channel and one for the right.
How many C6R-SST speakers should be planned for a hallway or a large room?
A single speaker is enough for a room of a few square metres. In a hallway or a long, narrow space, several C6R-SST speakers spaced at regular intervals provide even coverage, each reproducing both channels, whereas a conventional pair would create areas where only one side can be heard. However, connecting several speakers to the same output lowers the impedance seen by the amplifier: with more than one speaker per channel, you need an amplifier that can handle this load or an impedance matching module. In a living room where you listen while seated in a specific spot, a pair of C6R speakers remains better suited to achieving a stereo image.
Should I add a subwoofer?
For background music, radio or background sound in the kitchen, the C6R-SST’s bass is sufficient on its own. For listening where the lower end of the spectrum matters more, or to accompany a television in a larger room, a subwoofer complements the system, provided the amplifier has a dedicated output.
How much clearance is needed above the suspended ceiling?
The speaker is 95 mm deep: you need at least this much clearance above the panel, with a little extra room for the cable and terminals. Before drilling, it’s best to check that there are no joists, ducts or recessed lights at the chosen location, and move the insulation aside so it doesn’t rest on the speaker.
Can it be installed in a bathroom?
The C6R-SST is an indoor speaker. Its polypropylene cone tolerates ambient humidity in a home, but not water splashes or repeated condensation in a bathroom. For these rooms, a speaker certified for outdoor use or damp environments is safer.
Which cable should I use to connect it?
A four-conductor 1.5 mm² speaker cable covers most cable runs in a home. For distances of more than around fifteen metres between the amplifier and the speaker, a 2.5 mm² cross-section limits losses. Cables designed for routing through walls and ceilings make installation easier.
Can it be driven by a connected amplifier?
Yes, it’s a passive speaker that connects to the speaker terminals of any stereo amplifier. With a connected amplifier like the WiiM Amp or the Russound MBX-AMP, it plays streaming services, Internet radio or music from a smartphone, and can be integrated into a multiroom system.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
