Bowers & Wilkins CCM382- 8 Inches, 2-way In-ceiling Speaker (each)

Bowers & Wilkins CCM382 8-Inch 2-Way In-Ceiling Speaker

The Bowers & Wilkins CCM382 is a 2-way in-ceiling loudspeaker from the CI 300 series, built for discreet custom installation, including in humid rooms where many architectural speakers cannot be used. It combines a 200 mm (8-inch) polypropylene cone bass/midrange driver with a 25 mm (1-inch) soft dome tweeter in a coaxial arrangement, giving a specified frequency range of 45 Hz to 30 kHz and 90 dB sensitivity. The larger 8-inch driver moves more air than the 6-inch models in the range, so the CCM382 suits larger rooms, higher ceilings and spaces where background speakers still need to sound full at realistic levels.

Key features

• 8-inch polypropylene bass/midrange driver for fuller low frequencies
• 1-inch soft dome tweeter in a coaxial arrangement
• Frequency range 45 Hz to 30 kHz (-6 dB)
• 90 dB sensitivity (2.83 V, 1 m), 8 ohm nominal impedance
• Designed for humid environments such as bathrooms and indoor pool areas
• Minimal-width bezel with magnetic grille, round or optional square
• Swing-out dog-clamp fixing, 253 mm cut-out, only 85 mm depth

Why polypropylene, and why it matters here

The CI 300 series exists for the rooms other loudspeakers avoid. Bowers & Wilkins deliberately specified a polypropylene cone and a soft dome tweeter for the CCM382 because those materials tolerate the humidity of shower rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and indoor swimming pools. The coaxial layout, with the tweeter at the centre of the bass driver, keeps the sound coherent and balanced for wide-angle listening, which is exactly what a ceiling position produces as people move around a room rather than sitting in one sweet spot. The minimal-width border and paintable magnetic grille keep the installation visually quiet.

Performance and system use

With 90 dB sensitivity, the CCM382 reaches useful levels from modest amplifier power, and its 80 W power handling gives headroom for music at entertaining levels. The 45 Hz low end is deep for an in-ceiling speaker, so a stereo pair can carry a kitchen, dining room or bedroom convincingly without a subwoofer. In a home cinema, CCM382 pairs serve as surround or overhead channels matched with other Bowers & Wilkins speakers. For new-build projects, the PMK C8 pre-mount kit simplifies first-fix installation, and the BB 6C back box is available where sound containment or fire and acoustic separation is required.

Installation requirements

The CCM382 needs a ceiling aperture of 253 mm diameter and a minimum clearance depth of 85 mm behind the surface. The baffle, which carries the drivers, crossover and connectors, is secured by swing-out dog clamps, and the grille attaches magnetically, so access for painting or servicing is tool-free. Before cutting, check the chosen positions are clear of joists, pipework, ducting and wiring, and keep the acoustic environment around each speaker broadly similar for balanced results. Stereo pairs are typically placed 3 to 5 metres apart at a similar distance from the listening area.

Ownership details

The CCM382 is a passive speaker and requires an external amplifier or multi-room audio system. The white grille can be painted to match the ceiling. Where high-quality sound is wanted in rooms that humidity used to rule out, the CCM382 is the considered, purpose-built answer from Bowers & Wilkins’ custom installation range.