I have a project in a pretty modern home that I think I want to mount the speakers low on the wall. I am thinking of mounting them at 14 off the ground just to clear the electrical.

I have been in many homes where this practice was reinforced. For areas like living and dining rooms I think it makes sense where there is no critical listening.

I now the benefit of mounting them at ear height avoids furniture blocking the speaker.

What is everyone's current position on this?

For background music, I think it's fine. I have had clients insist they get mounted behind couches. To be honest, for background, they sounded fine. I just wouldn't do it in a home theater or audiophiles house.

Yeah we have areas where audio is a priority and of course those will follow proper practices. I just wonder about these other areas.

I actually think speakers look stupid on blank walls.

Explain that our ears aren't in our knees, like crickets and the sound won't be optimal if the speakers are so low, unless the listeners are seated. Fortunately, the cushions of modern furniture, especially mid-century modern, tends to be a bit lower than current production. I have seem a lot of chairs and sofas that were barely a foot off of the floor.

What is their expectation for the sound quality?

This wasn't driven by the client. this is just me. I totally understand the ear heights at seated and standing positions. I just dont like the look.

I should mention audio is the reason I do what I do.

Client satisfaction is a reason to make money to keep you doing the things you want to do. Please them visually with background music. Put 'em low if that works better. I've had several multistory homes with basements and fireblocks. And faux walls, or expensive wall coverings... you don't run wires up above the furniture in such rooms.

done many systems with speaks down low homie. they were totally fine. worked like a charm.

 Ceiling not an option?

we have done it before, no issues for background. I would avoid placing behind furniture if possible.

I've done in wall's down low for the simple reason its what the client wanted. Its for background music, it'll sound just fine.

Thanks you guys. I think i will mount them lower in the two rooms I have concerns with. For the most part i am putting in CWT stuff from Monitor so I have the option of wall or ceiling in any room.

Down low still sounds better than anything but a perfect install of one of the invisible type speakers. For background music I htink dwn low is just fine, I've done a few complete houses that way (spec'd per designer) and it worked out fine. 

I have installed many a speaker down low. As said, sounds just fine for background music. Seems to be a popular thing in dining rooms especially.

Down low means it will get covered with furniture. All you can do is explain why they should be up high. If you get shot down put them down low. Its their house. You advised them. They can live with muffled sound. I posted a pic of a big ass painting covering up the tweeter on one of our in-walls last year. I bet that room sounds GREAT!

Has anybody tried something like this?

[Link: prodisplay.com]

I did not mean for this to be a thread killer, quite the opposite. I am interested in your feedback on this subject from every prospective.