Subwoofer In Wall Wiring

[Seth Morrison]

A bit of a novice question, but better to ask and not screw up! I'm putting together my first decent HT system, and doing all of the speaker wiring in wall. The other speakers are obviously self explanatory, but for this wall plate at my main hub, the subwoofer ports on the front are RCA, and the on the back they're coax. So I'm ASSUMING I would come out of my receiver to the wall plate via RCA, and then run coax through the wall to where my sub is located, and then get a wall plate to convert it back to rca? I also have a question about sub placement. Basically, if I decide to put it in the back of the room by my receiver, I could plug it straight into the receiver and bypass the need for in wall wiring. However, I know most people will suggest the sub at the front of the room.

 

[Seth Morrison]

Sorry.. Meant to include the pics in the first post!

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

...but for this wall plate at my main hub, the subwoofer ports on the front are RCA, and the on the back they're coax. So I'm ASSUMING I would come out of my receiver to the wall plate via RCA, and then run coax through the wall to where my sub is located, and then get a wall plate to convert it back to rca?

Yes, that is correct. The reasoning is that no one makes wiring rated for in-wall use pre-terminated with RCAs. Coaxial cable is typically always rated for in-wall use, and it’s easy to find it terminated with F-connectors. BTW, your speaker wiring needs to be rated for in-wall as well...

I also have a question about sub placement. Basically, if I decide to put it in the back of the room by my receiver, I could plug it straight into the receiver and bypass the need for in wall wiring. However, I know most people will suggest the sub at the front of the room.

Yes, front-of-room would be the best approach, unless there is no suitable location. Typically at or near a corner with continuous walls in either direction (i.e.no openings) is best.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Seth Morrison]

Oh yes my in wall cable for my speakers is 14 AWG and I ordered in wall. Heavy stuff!
So here is my front wall, and tower placement is close. You're saying my sub would work well in that far left corner OUTSIDE of the left tower?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Yes. Keep in mind that it will probably require outboard parametric equalization, if your receiver can’t do that.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[annunaki]

In an effort to try and "future proof" your system (if that is even possible) I would run a Cat 6 along with your RG-6 (coax) along with dual 14 ga speaker wire (should you decide to go passive).

 

[1dwn5up]

What is the point of the base plate? To have your receiver in another location? e.g. closet?

 

[Speedskater]

The very best subwoofer RCA unbalanced cable available, is rated for in-wall use. It's the Blue Jeans LC-1 cable and it's at the sweet spot in price and performance.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/subwoofer/LC1-design-notes.htm

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Now as to the safety aspects of in-wall cables. The rule was written for large gambling casinos and computer centers. They may have hundreds of miles of cables hidden in the walls & ceilings. So the cable needs to be non-toxic if the building catches on fire.