Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins CCM664 is a versatile in-ceiling speaker that combines discreet installation with useful control over the direction and balance of its high frequencies.
Its adjustable soft-dome tweeter can be aimed towards the listening area, while the 150mm woven glass-fibre driver provides clear vocals, convincing musical weight and a balanced overall presentation.
The three-position EQ makes it more adaptable than a basic fixed in-ceiling speaker. However, its 133mm product depth means the ceiling cavity and installation position must be checked carefully before cutting begins.
Bowers & Wilkins CCM664 In-Ceiling Speakers
The CCM664 is a two-way in-ceiling loudspeaker from the Bowers & Wilkins Performance Series.
Each speaker combines an adjustable 25mm soft-dome tweeter with a 150mm woven glass-fibre cone bass and midrange driver.
The speakers are supplied as a pair and can be used for stereo music, discreet multi-room audio or the surround and overhead channels of a home cinema system.
Adjustable Soft-Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 25mm soft-dome tweeter mounted within an adjustable housing.
The tweeter can be angled towards the main listening position rather than firing directly downwards into the room.
This can improve treble clarity, detail and focus when the speakers cannot be installed directly above the main seating area.
Three-Position EQ Switch
A three-position equalisation switch works alongside the adjustable tweeter.
The EQ allows the high-frequency response to be matched to the selected tweeter angle, helping maintain a more balanced presentation away from the speaker’s central axis.
The tweeter position and EQ setting should therefore be adjusted together during installation.
Match the EQ to the Tweeter Angle
The tweeter housing includes angle markers for its central, 15-degree and 30-degree positions.
Aim the tweeter towards the main listening area, then select the corresponding EQ setting. Speakers used as a stereo pair should normally use matching settings.
Woven Glass-Fibre Driver
A 150mm woven glass-fibre cone handles the bass and midrange frequencies.
The material combines low mass with useful rigidity and controlled behaviour, helping the CCM664 reproduce voices, instruments and sound effects with clarity and consistency.
The 150mm driver also provides greater musical weight and scale than smaller architectural speakers while remaining suitable for a standard circular ceiling installation.
Discreet Ceiling Installation
Once installed, the visible part of the CCM664 consists primarily of its low-profile grille and narrow surrounding frame.
The speaker protrudes by approximately 4mm from the finished ceiling surface, helping it blend into the room rather than becoming a visual focal point.
The white grille and frame can be painted to coordinate with the surrounding ceiling, provided the speaker and grille perforations are protected correctly.
Magnetic Grille
The grille attaches magnetically, allowing it to be installed without visible screws or clips.
This provides a neat finished appearance while allowing the grille to be removed for adjustment or future servicing.
An optional square grille may also be available where that shape better suits the ceiling or room design.
Stereo Music Systems
A pair of CCM664 speakers can reproduce conventional left and right stereo channels.
For the most balanced result, both speakers should be positioned symmetrically around the listening area and installed within similar acoustic surroundings.
Angling the tweeters towards the main listening position can improve high-frequency focus and help create a more convincing stereo presentation.
Multi-Room Audio
The CCM664 can form part of a discreet whole-home or multi-room audio installation.
One or more pairs can provide music in kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, studies and other living spaces without using shelves or floor space.
The required number of speakers, listening zones, amplifier channels and cable routes should be established before installation work begins.
Home Cinema and Dolby Atmos
The CCM664 can be used for surround, rear or overhead effects within a compatible home cinema system.
Its adjustable tweeter is particularly useful for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X systems because the high frequencies can be directed towards the seating area.
The final number and position of the speakers will depend on the room, seating layout, AV receiver and intended channel configuration.
Plan the Complete System Before Cutting
Confirm the channel layout, seating positions, speaker locations, cable routes and AV receiver capability before making any ceiling apertures.
Changing the position of an architectural speaker after installation is considerably more involved than moving a conventional freestanding loudspeaker.
Ceiling Cut-Out and Mounting Depth
Each CCM664 requires a circular ceiling cut-out measuring 202mm in diameter.
The speaker itself requires 133mm of depth behind the finished surface. Bowers & Wilkins recommends allowing approximately 140mm of clear ceiling depth for installation.
Additional clearance may be needed for speaker cable, connections, insulation and the operation of the mounting clamps.
Check the Ceiling Cavity
The proposed speaker positions should be checked carefully before installation begins.
Look for:
- Ceiling joists
- Electrical cables
- Water and heating pipes
- Ventilation ducts
- Lighting fittings
- Insulation materials
- Fire barriers
- Restricted areas within the ceiling cavity
A suitable detector or small inspection opening may be required before the complete aperture is cut.
QuickDogs Mounting System
The CCM664 uses Bowers & Wilkins’ QuickDogs mounting system to secure the frame within the ceiling aperture.
The spring clamps rotate behind the ceiling surface and hold the speaker frame in position without visible external fixings.
The ceiling material must be sufficiently strong and stable. Damaged, loose or unsuitable surfaces may require reinforcement before installation.
Orient the Frame Before Securing It
The frame includes a red orientation arrow that should point towards the main listening area.
This ensures that the adjustable tweeter can be aimed correctly once the speaker baffle has been fitted.
Modular Frame and Baffle
The CCM664 consists of a mounting frame, removable speaker baffle and magnetically attached grille.
The speaker cable connects to terminals on the frame, while the baffle makes its electrical connection automatically when inserted.
This modular arrangement can simplify installation and allows the frame to be fitted and painted before the speaker baffle is installed.
Speaker Cable and Polarity
The CCM664 is a passive loudspeaker and must be connected to an amplifier or home cinema receiver using suitable speaker cable.
The positive amplifier terminal should connect to the red speaker terminal, with the negative amplifier terminal connected to the black terminal.
Maintaining the correct polarity across every speaker helps preserve bass response, tonal consistency and a coherent soundstage.
Low-resistance installation cable is particularly important when the cable route exceeds five metres.
Allow Spare Cable at Each Aperture
Leave enough cable at each ceiling opening to make connection and future servicing straightforward.
Avoid leaving an excessive loose length that could rest against the ceiling or speaker and cause buzzing or rattling.
Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifier power between 25 and 130 watts.
The CCM664 has a sensitivity of 87dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 4.5 ohms.
It can be partnered with a broad range of good-quality stereo amplifiers, streaming amplifiers, multi-room amplifiers and home cinema receivers.
The correct amplifier will depend on the number of speakers, room size, cable length, listening distance and required volume.
Multiple Pairs Require Careful Planning
Connecting several pairs to one amplifier can reduce the total impedance presented to the amplifier.
A multi-channel or multi-zone amplifier may be more appropriate than connecting several speaker pairs directly to one stereo output.
Optional Pre-Mount Kit and Back Box
The optional C6 pre-mount kit can be used during new construction or refurbishment to establish the speaker position before the finished ceiling is installed.
The optional 6C back box provides a dedicated enclosure behind the speaker and may help with sound isolation, fire-barrier requirements and performance consistency.
Both accessories are sold separately and should be specified before building or ceiling work begins.
Installation Considerations
A successful architectural-speaker installation depends on more than the loudspeaker itself.
Before work begins, consider:
- The main listening positions
- The required stereo or home cinema layout
- Ceiling joist positions
- The recommended 140mm clear mounting depth
- Speaker cable type, length and routing
- Amplifier channels and impedance loading
- Tweeter direction and EQ settings
- Sound transfer into adjoining rooms
- Access for future servicing
- Whether pre-mount kits or back boxes are required
- Relevant building and fire-safety requirements
Where there is any uncertainty, installation should be completed by a suitably competent professional.
Finish
The CCM664 is supplied in white with a circular low-profile grille.
The grille and frame can be painted to coordinate with the surrounding ceiling, provided the grille perforations remain clear.
The supplied paint mask should be used to protect the internal connections and grille magnets while the frame is being decorated.
Key Features
- Performance Series two-way in-ceiling loudspeaker
- Supplied as a pair
- Adjustable 25mm soft-dome tweeter
- Tweeter angle markers at 15 and 30 degrees
- Three-position high-frequency EQ switch
- 150mm woven glass-fibre bass and midrange driver
- QuickDogs mounting system
- Modular frame and removable speaker baffle
- Magnetically attached grille
- Optional square grille available
- 45Hz–35kHz published frequency range
- 87dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 4.5-ohm minimum impedance
- 25–130-watt amplifier recommendation
- 240mm frame diameter
- 202mm ceiling cut-out
- 133mm product depth behind the surface
- Approximately 140mm recommended clear depth
- 4mm protrusion from the finished surface
- Paintable white grille and frame
- Optional C6 pre-mount kit
- Optional 6C back box
- Suitable for music, multi-room and home cinema systems
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowers & Wilkins CCM664 speakers supplied as a pair?
Yes. The CCM664 is supplied and priced as a pair of passive in-ceiling speakers.
Do the CCM664 speakers contain an amplifier?
No. They must be connected to a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, multi-room amplifier or home cinema receiver.
Can the tweeter be aimed towards the listener?
Yes. The soft-dome tweeter can be angled towards the main listening area, with markers provided for its central, 15-degree and 30-degree positions.
What is the three-position EQ switch for?
It adjusts the high-frequency response to match the selected tweeter angle and improve the tonal balance away from the speaker’s central axis.
Can the CCM664 be used for Dolby Atmos?
Yes. It can be used for overhead channels within a compatible Dolby Atmos or DTS:X home cinema system.
Can the CCM664 be used for stereo music?
Yes. A pair can reproduce conventional left and right stereo channels when positioned appropriately around the listening area.
What size ceiling hole is required?
Each CCM664 requires a circular cut-out measuring 202mm in diameter.
How much ceiling depth is required?
The speaker is 133mm deep behind the surface, although approximately 140mm of clear ceiling depth should be allowed for installation.
How wide is the visible frame?
The complete circular frame measures 240mm in diameter.
How far does the speaker protrude from the ceiling?
The installed speaker protrudes approximately 4mm from the finished surface.
How is the CCM664 secured?
It uses Bowers & Wilkins’ QuickDogs mounting system, which clamps the frame against the rear of the ceiling surface.
Can the grille be painted?
Yes. The white grille and frame can be painted, provided the grille perforations remain clear and the supplied paint mask is used appropriately.
Is a square grille available?
An optional square grille may be available separately. Confirm current availability with your local Audio T store.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifier power between 25 and 130 watts.
Can several pairs be connected to one amplifier?
Potentially, but the combined impedance and amplifier loading must be calculated correctly. A multi-channel or multi-zone amplifier may be the better solution.
What is the C6 pre-mount kit?
It is an optional accessory used to establish the speaker position during new construction before the finished ceiling is installed.
What is the 6C back box?
It is an optional enclosure designed for compatible 6-inch Bowers & Wilkins in-ceiling speakers.
What warranty is included?
Bowers & Wilkins provides a five-year limited warranty for passive loudspeakers, subject to its warranty terms and conditions.
Related Bowers & Wilkins Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Bowers & Wilkins custom-installation advice
- Speaker positioning and system-planning guidance
- Stereo, multi-room and home cinema system design
- Amplifier and AV receiver matching
- Speaker cable and cable-routing advice
- Guidance on cut-outs, clearances and accessories
- Pre-mount kit and back-box advice
- Installation and setup support, subject to location
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss a Bowers & Wilkins CCM664 installation.