Canton Inceiling 855 T
Canton Inceiling 855 T: the 100V in-ceiling speaker
A 100V ceiling system that refuses the usual compromise between ease of installation and audio quality. Canton applies its hi-fi expertise here to a technology generally confined to utility sound reinforcement: ceramic drivers, wave surround, pivoting tweeter. The result is a speaker that integrates into professional infrastructures while maintaining an extended frequency range and detailed reproduction.
The 100V line technology explained simply
100V systems address a concrete problem: how do you power dozens of speakers spread over long distances without multiplying amplifiers or losing quality? The solution is an integrated transformer that boosts voltage and reduces current. The cables can then run for hundreds of meters without significant signal loss, and all the speakers are connected in parallel on a single line.
The Inceiling 855 T incorporates this transformer and offers three selectable power levels (100 W, 50 W, 25 W) to match its consumption to the amplifier’s total power budget. A switch accessible under the grille also allows you to switch to 8-ohm mode, which opens up use with standard domestic multiroom systems or small installations that do not require a 100V line.
A coaxial chassis borrowed from hi-fi
Canton has transposed into this installation format the technologies developed for its high-fidelity ranges. The 135 mm (5.5”) driver uses a ceramic cone mounted on a wave surround, a design that improves acoustic coupling with the room and reduces unwanted resonances at the edges of the driver. This type of surround allows for large excursions without distortion, even at high volume.
The 25 mm tweeter, also ceramic, is mounted coaxially in the center of the main driver. This arrangement ensures temporal coherence between frequency ranges: the sound emanates from a single point, which simplifies acoustic coverage and eliminates phase issues that can occur with separate drivers.
The crossover frequency between the two drivers is set at 3000 Hz. The stated frequency response extends from 42 Hz to 40,000 Hz, an unusually wide range for a 100V line speaker, where transformers often limit the response at the extremes of the spectrum.
Tweeter orientation and sound coverage
The tweeter is pivotable. This feature makes it possible to aim the treble towards the main listening area even when the speaker cannot be positioned directly overhead. In a rectangular meeting room, for example, speakers placed near the walls can be angled towards the center of the table.
The wide dispersion of the coaxial system combined with this ability to adjust orientation provides some flexibility in placement. Canton’s goal is to cover the space uniformly between several speakers without creating zones where the sound seems unbalanced or distant.
Installation and integration
Mounting is based on Canton’s Easy-Lock system: clamping brackets that deploy behind the ceiling and lock the speaker in place with no visible screws. The cutout diameter is 27 cm for a total diameter of 29 cm. The 9 cm mounting depth requires sufficient plenum space above the suspended ceiling, a point to check before installation.
The maximum acceptable ceiling thickness is 4 cm. Beyond that, the mounting brackets will not be able to provide secure support.
The metal grille is held in place by magnets, making it easy to access the power switch and the pivoting tweeter. It can be lacquered, allowing you to match it to the ceiling color.
The 3.2 kg weight remains reasonable for a speaker of this diameter and should not pose any issues on a properly built ceiling.
Documentation
Technical specifications
Acoustic characteristics
- Frequency range: 42 - 40000 Hz
- Sensitivity at 2.83 V / 1 m: 88.5 dB
- Crossover frequency: 3000 Hz
Components
- Tweeter material: ceramic
- Midrange / woofer material: ceramic
Electrical characteristics
- Power: 160 watts
- Technology: 100 V / 70 V line
- Connections: speaker connection
Dimensions and installation
- Diameter: 29 cm
- Mounting depth: 9 cm
- Cutout diameter: 27 cm
- Ceiling thickness: max. 4 cm
- Weight: 3.2 kg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Inceiling 855 T be used with a standard hi-fi amplifier?
Yes. The switch located under the grille allows you to switch to 8-ohm mode, making the speaker compatible with any standard stereo or multiroom amplifier. This versatility is quite rare on 100V line speakers.
How many speakers can be connected to a single 100V amplifier?
That depends on the amplifier’s power and the setting of each speaker. With Inceiling 855 T units set to 25 W each, a 500 W amplifier could theoretically power around twenty of them, while maintaining a 20% safety margin.
Can the pivoting tweeter be adjusted after installation?
Yes. The magnetic grille can be removed without tools, giving access to the tweeter pivot mechanism. The adjustment can therefore be fine-tuned once the speaker is in place and the furniture installed.
Can the grille be painted?
Yes, Canton indicates that it can be lacquered. Spray paint applied in thin coats will preserve the acoustic transparency of the metal grille while visually integrating it into the ceiling.
What is the difference compared with the T-BC versions?
“BC” stands for Backchamber, a closed enclosure at the rear of the speaker that provides fire protection. The T-BC 7 version uses a small enclosure, the T-BC 15 a large one. These versions are required in certain buildings subject to strict fire regulations. They increase the installation depth but do not affect acoustic performance.
Does the speaker also work on 70V lines?
Yes. The integrated transformer supports 70V lines, mainly used in North America. The available power levels will be slightly different, but operation remains the same.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: 03834
