Monitor Audio CF230 3" Mini Flush-Fit In-Ceiling Speaker
These are passive speakers, so they need an amplifier to power them (8Ω, 10–30W recommended). Either of these will drive a pair and stream music from your phone.
If the ceiling has a bedroom or other living space above it, or is part of an escape route, building regulations require each speaker to have a fire hood. Hoods also cut sound leaking into the room above.
Each CF230 needs one bracket (not included): CFB3-KIT to retrofit into an existing ceiling (90mm hole), or CFB3-R / CFB3-SQ for a new-build flush finish with a round or square grille (120mm hole).
Allow about 10m per speaker for a typical run back to the amplifier. Webro 16/2 LSZH (low smoke, zero halogen) is the right cable for runs in ceilings and walls.
The Monitor Audio CF230 is a 3" mini flush-fit in-ceiling speaker, designed for installers and architects who need the most visually discreet speaker solution possible. It suits living rooms, kitchens and multi-room installations where a compact, near-invisible speaker is required, whether fitted singly, in stereo pairs, or in larger multiples across a space.
Why we like it
- Coincident driver design houses the 3" C-CAM bass/midrange driver and 19mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter in a single compact assembly
- Choice of flush, trimless pre-construction fitting or straightforward retrofit installation into existing ceilings
- Round or square grille options available, with a paintable white grille to blend into any ceiling
- One-piece driver and chassis moulding maximises driver size relative to grille size, while a fully enclosed rear assembly with fine mesh keeps out dust and building debris
- Easy to drive at 8 ohms, pairing comfortably with a single stereo amplifier for a pair, or multi-channel amplifiers for larger installations
Installation notes
Each CF230 is sold individually and requires one mounting bracket per speaker, sold separately. For retrofitting into existing ceilings, use the CFB3-KIT, which needs a 90mm cut-out hole and fixes behind plasterboard with just three screws. For new-build, pre-construction installations, choose the CFB3-R (round) or CFB3-SQ (square) bracket for a seamless flush fit, requiring a 120mm cut-out hole. Mounting depth is 81.5mm, so ensure adequate ceiling void clearance. With a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a recommended amplifier power of 10-30W (full range) or up to 100W when used with a high-pass crossover filter at 120Hz, the CF230 pairs well with stereo or multi-channel amplifiers; it can also be partnered with the Monitor Audio ICS-8 in-ceiling subwoofer for extended bass response.
Specifications
| Frequency Response (-6 dB) | 100 Hz - 25 kHz |
| Sensitivity (1W@1M) | 82.5 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 98 dBA (each, full range); 103.3 dBA (each, using crossover) |
| Power Handling (RMS) | 30 Watts (full range, IEC268-5 rating); 100 Watts Music program (using high pass crossover filter @120 Hz) |
| Recommended Amplifier Requirements | 10-30 Watts (full range); 10-100 Watts (using high pass crossover filter @120 Hz) |
| Drive Unit Complement | 3" Bass/mid-range driver with C-CAM cone; coincident mounted 19 mm tweeter with C-CAM Gold Dome |
| Overall Diameter (Including Grille) | 112 mm |
| Mounting Depth | 81.5 mm |
| Cut-Out Hole Diameter | Flush 120 mm; Retrofit 90 mm |
| Connection | Sprung push type terminals, gold plated |
| Weight | 0.44 kg |
| Colour / Finish | White grille, paintable |
| Pre-Construction Bracket | Flush Fit - CFB3-R (round) or CFB3-SQ (square); Retrofit - CFB3-KIT; bracket coloured pink, included in above kits |
| Sold as | Single |






