Ready to wire full house speakers

[JackVa1]

My contractor is closing up my upper floor addition next week, so I have to run speaker wire this weekend. I need some information as I head out to buy wire. I will order speakers and volume controlls later when I have money!

1. The wiring from Amp in my family room ahould run from Amp - Volume Controller - Speaker. Correct?

2. I will leave wire in quite a few ceilings. Any advice on how to find it when I make the cut outs maybe months later?

3. Speaker wire guage? Some runs might be 50 feet to the Volume control then 12 - 20 feet to the speakers.

4. I will just be pumping XFM from Direct TV through the home at mostly low volume. I am thinking that an upper and lower floor zone could each be managed from different Direct TV set ups (one on each floor connecte to it's own receiver or amp) In the case of my Main TV which has sound coming from a newer Onkyo receiver with two zone capability, i will add a 2nd Zone Amp so we could watch TV but still have different music from the same receiver.This make sense?

5. I see fancy volume contrillers for with 8 Speaker pair capability and remotes. I also see cheaper Volume controllers, which would allow me to use more and have them almost on every pair controlled in each room rather than in a zone. Is this just personal preference ? I like the idea of control being more granular.

Just looking for last minute advice. Thanks, you guys are great!

Jack

 

[bandphan]

make sure you use in wall rated speaker cable and 14 gauge(ie cl2), if you are wanting volume control in each room youll have to deciede were that control will be located( and ruff in a single gang box) as the wiring should follow: homerun>volume control loop> speaker. As for locating the wires, make your drops in the exact location the speakers will go( dont leave uncapped wires in the cieling)leaving a pigtail. leave yourself a good sized loop at each end of a run and the vc loop .


how many pairs, how many rooms, ect will help with what type of controll you want. Which onkyo do you have, and does it have 3 zone control? If you are wanting control from single area, your sources should be located there.

 

[JackVa1]

Thanks for the quick reply - the ONKYO is a TS-DS-797 with two zones. I thought I would add an amp to keep the tv and music seperate, then add a speaker unit (?) for A+B+C.. to that Amp.

Am I on the right track?

My upstairs will just be Direct TV connectd to a Vintage Sansui 200 Receiver with an A/B for two rooms in the master suite on that floor.

 

[JackVa1]

BTW

We are headed to Home Depot for wire in bulk - I am not certain what in-wall rated wire is. I have always used some heavy guage wire with one silver and one Copper wire in it. Thanks

 

[jinjuku]

Basically you will need cable with a Plenum Jacket. In-wall cabling needs to be fire rated and the means Plenum. Google for it.

 

[bandphan]

home depot has a crappy selection of in wall speaker wire, lowes is a little better. Is their an electrical supply house near you,as they would have the better selection
If your using a second amp with zone 2 you will be using zone two audio out to the amp like a multi channel or to the sansui with a specor selector out to the vc

http://nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=SI-1230&recordID=Multichannel Power Amplifiers&categoryID=System Integration Amplifiers&catcdID=4&prdcdID=FG00737

 

[Rickster71]

As far as the NEC is concerned, you don't have to run low voltage wiring to a j-box.
I would suggest installing low voltage trim rings, instead. (not to be confused with a mud ring)
Also, work with the guys doing the sheetrock install. Since you know exactly where you want your speaker wire drops, and trim rings (for volume controls)to go.
If you're there, wires won't be buried, and you can assist in poking the wires through, right where you want them.
Good Luck with your project!

 

[InTheIndustry]

Basically you will need cable with a Plenum Jacket. In-wall cabling needs to be fire rated and the means Plenum. Google for it.

This is completely INCORRECT. Plenum rated wire is for commercial installs and NOT residential. Plenum wiring is extremely expensive and is absolutely NOT recommended for residential use.

CL-2 or CL-3 rated wiring is what is used in residential homes. Check with your local building codes as to which is required for your area.

 

[Futurephile]

This is completely INCORRECT. Plenum rated wire is for commercial installs and NOT residential. Plenum wiring is extremely expensive and is absolutely NOT recommended for residential use.

CL-2 or CL-3 rated wiring is what is used in residential homes. Check with your local building codes as to which is required for your area.

This speaker wire is for in wall installations and doesn't cost a fortune.
Link below.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2821&seq=1&format=2

 

[JackVa1]

As far as the NEC is concerned, you don't have to run low voltage wiring to a j-box.
I would suggest installing low voltage trim rings, instead. (not to be confused with a mud ring)
Also, work with the guys doing the sheetrock install. Since you know exactly where you want your speaker wire drops, and trim rings (for volume controls)to go.
If you're there, wires won't be buried, and you can assist in poking the wires through, right where you want them.
Good Luck with your project!

What is a NEC , what is a J box and what are trim rings? Thanks

 

[Rickster71]

What is a NEC , what is a J box and what are trim rings? Thanks

Hi JackV, sorry about the shorthand.
The NEC is The National Electrical Code.
A j-box is short, for junction box.
I'm looking for a link to a picture of a low voltage trim.

 

[Rickster71]

Here is a link to the trim ring.
http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/14-45-electrical-boxes-low-voltage.aspx

 

[jinjuku]

This is completely INCORRECT. Plenum rated wire is for commercial installs and NOT residential. Plenum wiring is extremely expensive and is absolutely NOT recommended for residential use.

CL-2 or CL-3 rated wiring is what is used in residential homes. Check with your local building codes as to which is required for your area.

Correct. All I do is commercial installs. Have plenum rated cabling out the wazoo. CL-2P is plenum. CL-2 is not. Worked with it so long you take it for granted. I helped my buddy wire his house. It was plenum rated since I have boxes of the stuff. Are you running any other cable? Ethernet/Data? RS232 for control? If you are bothering to pull one sort of cable, might as well pull others.

At the afore mentioned house, Pulled RG6, CAT5, HDMI, and RS232. Looking for some used AMX/Crestron to finish it all over the next year or so. Pulled it all to a vented closet with 19" rack. Will be sweet when it is done.

Check your local code requirements anyhows, that is the only way you know what will be to code.

 

[JackVa1]

Yes, I contracted an electrician to pull all the others and we have a plastic pipe connecting the Lower level to the third floor for all cables.

This was great help - thanks to all


Jack