Speaker mounting question

[Rylan]

I just received my 5.1.2 system from RSL Speakers. I am going to mount them on my walls soon with some Amazon mounts I ordered so I can toe them in. I have my exact measurements of where they need to go, however some of those areas do not have studs. I have two different size speakers, my surround weighs 6 lbs, and my LCR’s weigh 10lbs each. If I purchase some good sheet rock anchors, do you think it would hold my speakers up well without worrying they could fall? If so, does anyone recommend a good sheetrock anchor that worked well you? I wanted to use my studs, but some of them are just out of my range for wanting to place my speakers and I don’t want my sound off axis

 

[Verdinut]

I just received my 5.1.2 system from RSL Speakers. I am going to mount them on my walls soon with some Amazon mounts I ordered so I can toe them in. I have my exact measurements of where they need to go, however some of those areas do not have studs. I have two different size speakers, my surround weighs 6 lbs, and my LCR’s weigh 10lbs each. If I purchase some good sheet rock anchors, do you think it would hold my speakers up well without worrying they could fall? If so, does anyone recommend a good sheetrock anchor that worked well you? I wanted to use my studs, but some of them are just out of my range for wanting to place my speakers and I don’t want my sound off axis

Yes, they should hold your speakers pretty well. A long time ago, in the late 1960's, I installed a stereo system on a wall with bookshelf speakers which weighted something like 40 lbs each along with a shelf carrying a Thorens turntable between the two speaker shelves. Butterfly type wall anchors are pretty safe and can hold a lot of weight. Usually, it says with the wall anchor how much weight it will handle.

 

[ryanosaur]

I just received my 5.1.2 system from RSL Speakers. I am going to mount them on my walls soon with some Amazon mounts I ordered so I can toe them in. I have my exact measurements of where they need to go, however some of those areas do not have studs. I have two different size speakers, my surround weighs 6 lbs, and my LCR’s weigh 10lbs each. If I purchase some good sheet rock anchors, do you think it would hold my speakers up well without worrying they could fall? If so, does anyone recommend a good sheetrock anchor that worked well you? I wanted to use my studs, but some of them are just out of my range for wanting to place my speakers and I don’t want my sound off axis

All wall anchors have weight ratings. If they don't, find some that do.
Consider how many are going to be used per bracket (4 or 6?... depending on the bracket.)
Always use slightly larger than you need. If they are rated at 25lbs each... 4 should safely hold 100#, but I would go up to the next size. You say a 10 # Speaker? Plus weight of the bracket. And a safety margin in case somebody grabs one to balance themselves.

 

[lovinthehd]

Another thought is to consider extending the better anchoring with studs....may not be as pretty but I'd rather once set up be able to hang very heavy speakers if needed....the anchors vary somewhat and some can do higher weight loads than others....but....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Toggle bolts?

 

[Swerd]

10 lb. speakers shouldn't be difficult to hang securely.

There are a lot of different wall anchors available. As long as you know what weight they can support, they can work.

I haven't tried them all, but I've used what are called Molly Bolts for years. They've never failed me. They come in different diameters (thicker supports more weight) and lengths (depending on your drywall thickness):

• https://www.amazon.com/AKKTOL-Plaster-Drywall-Setting-Included/dp/B0B48KQ716/ref=sr_1_69?crid=1WU84YA7TAXW1&keywords=drywall+anchors&qid=1670815309&sprefix=drywall,aps,92&sr=8-69
• https://www.amazon.com/ISPINNER-Plated-Hollow-Assortment-Drywall/dp/B07V3HBTPF/ref=sr_1_33?crid=1WU84YA7TAXW1&keywords=drywall+anchors&qid=1670815201&sprefix=drywall,aps,92&sr=8-33

Recently I tried these. I like them because they're easy to use and are very strong.

• https://www.amazon.com/Drywall-Anchors-Concrete-Hanging-Fastener/dp/B08KZSJS1N/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1WU84YA7TAXW1&keywords=drywall+anchors&qid=1670814936&sprefix=drywall%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-16
• https://www.amazon.com/TOGGLER-SNAPTOGGLE-Zinc-Plated-Channel-Fastener/dp/B0051IBBUE/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1D2DGR6G67IWJ&keywords=toggle+anchors+for+drywall&qid=1670815842&sprefix=toggle+anchors+for+drywall%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-5

 

[Rylan]

Great tips! Thank you for everyone chiming in. Very helpful.

I also have a separate question regarding speaker height. I’m placing my LCR at 3 feet from the ground (my ear height). Does this mean that the center of my speaker should be at 3 feet, or the top of my speaker should be at 3 feet?

 

[ryanosaur]

Great tips! Thank you for everyone chiming in. Very helpful.

I also have a separate question regarding speaker height. I’m placing my LCR at 3 feet from the ground (my ear height). Does this mean that the center of my speaker should be at 3 feet, or the top of my speaker should be at 3 feet?

You want the tweeter to be at ear height, +/- 15° ideally.

***Edit: should be ±10º vertical in most instances.

 

[fmw]

You want the tweeter to be at ear height, +/- 15° ideally.

***Edit: should be ±10º vertical in most instances.

Or at least aimed at ear level.

 

[kini]

Great tips! Thank you for everyone chiming in. Very helpful.

I also have a separate question regarding speaker height. I’m placing my LCR at 3 feet from the ground (my ear height). Does this mean that the center of my speaker should be at 3 feet, or the top of my speaker should be at 3 feet?

In addition to the sheet rock bolts you could use some 3M velcro on the mount. I have a Dyson vacuum that weighs about the same as one of your speakers that's on a mount with nothing but the velcro holding it. It's been there for about 3 years now. Something like this

VELCRO 4 in. x 2 in. Industrial Strength Strips in Black (2-Pack) 90199 - The Home Depot

VELCRO Brand Heavy Duty fasteners are the most versatile tool in your toolbox. Need to get your basement in order? Heavy Duty Industrial Strength fasteners to the rescue. Organizing the garage? VELCRO

www.homedepot.com

 

[TLS Guy]

I just received my 5.1.2 system from RSL Speakers. I am going to mount them on my walls soon with some Amazon mounts I ordered so I can toe them in. I have my exact measurements of where they need to go, however some of those areas do not have studs. I have two different size speakers, my surround weighs 6 lbs, and my LCR’s weigh 10lbs each. If I purchase some good sheet rock anchors, do you think it would hold my speakers up well without worrying they could fall? If so, does anyone recommend a good sheetrock anchor that worked well you? I wanted to use my studs, but some of them are just out of my range for wanting to place my speakers and I don’t want my sound off axis

Sheet rock does not have much strength. Studs should be spaced 16" on center. So you ought to be able to get a screw holding the speaker into at least one stud, which will make it safer and more secure. It won't matter if a speaker is a few inches off. I think 10 lb. is too much to load on sheet rock.

 

[Eppie]

Definitely avoid any plastic hammer in anchor. They will pull out under that weight. Use either a toggle bolt as suggested above or a "molly" bolt which has a metal sleeve which expands behind the wall as you tighten it. Toggle bolts need a relatively large hole so they work best when mounting things with wider surface areas like metal plates or boards. They are easy to remove but the toggle is lost when the bolt is removed. Molly bolts have two teeth that bite into the wall when installed to prevent them from spinning. The metal sleeve will not easily bend back into shape which makes them unsuitable for removal and reinstallation so they are best left in place once installed. They leave a smaller hole than toggle bolts though. Both are very strong for vertical loads but a speaker will pull away from the wall, so the drywall thickness has a bearing on the load limit.

 

[Verdinut]

Definitely avoid any plastic hammer in anchor. They will pull out under that weight. Use either a toggle bolt as suggested above or a "molly" bolt which has a metal sleeve which expands behind the wall as you tighten it. Toggle bolts need a relatively large hole so they work best when mounting things with wider surface areas like metal plates or boards. They are easy to remove but the toggle is lost when the bolt is removed. Molly bolts have two teeth that bite into the wall when installed to prevent them from spinning. The metal sleeve will not easily bend back into shape which makes them unsuitable for removal and reinstallation so they are best left in place once installed. They leave a smaller hole than toggle bolts though. Both are very strong for vertical loads but a speaker will pull away from the wall, so the drywall thickness has a bearing on the load limit.

For heavy stuff to hang, IMO toggle bolts are the most reliable. What's wrong with the bigger hole left when you remove it? It's easy to fill.