Newb, long read for couple questions

[champscorner]

I want to start off by mentioning what a great forum this is. A couple of months ago I started checking the web for basic info on good AV equipment (in my price range)and came across this site. I haven't left since! I get on here daily(when not traveling for work) and the wealth of info on this site has totally changed the way I'm going to approach this setup. That being said I'm still a total newb and hope that some of you may hold my hand through this little journey
About me: AV expierence, pretty low. Before i was married I owned a big box onkyo 5.1 system, which i loved, but after a lot of reading the last couple of months i guess ignorance really is bliss So sold the onkyo to a friend of mine due to......sure you guys can guess but i'm no longer married and I'm tired of listening to tunes on a pair of boston acoustic computer speakers and portiable logitech ipod speakers on the deck
What I want: This may not sound right but i'm not really ready for this part yet. I have quite a bit of work to do before I get here I know I want to start off with a receiver at 5.1 that i can upgrade to 7.2 later if i wish.The back 2/4 speakers will have to be in the ceiling. I also want multiple zones(at least 3) but need to do some more reading on how volume control on individual zones work. So from what i've read prolly marantz/denon, yamaha, onkyo. Speakers I'll audition, just from reading so far, B&W, klipsch, Paradigm, kEF, and RBH. But I do have a budget between 6-7K for everything not including display. I will be piecing this together as well. Seems the subs to look at our svs, rythmik, and hsu. Blu ray seems to be oppo. Have'nt got to amps, outdoor speakers, or room treatments yet.
Where I'm at: Here's the thing, I gutted my whole upstairs over the winter and am just getting ready to start the wiring up there, while I have the walls/floor upstairs open i want to take a break up thereand knock out a wall in the LR down to the studs and run the speaker wires and anything else i may need wired in this wall all pretty like with wall plates and such. So from all this typing I guess my questions to start off with would be, does any one know of some good articles on in wall wiring/cables/wall plates(pic heavy helps)? all i could find is "fishing wires" which i won't really need. What cables/wall plates do you guys recommend if I want to be set up for now and in the future(how many hdmi, internet) any other cables you recommend and how many of each from everything i mentioned above? I do have monoprice site saved but I'm really just unsure of what I need.
Thanks for reading this long sob and thanks in advance for the hand holdin

 

[champscorner]

forgot to mention that the display, fronts, center, and sub(s) will all be located on this wall with the computer room directly behind it. I would like to have all this wired in that wall(including computer)together. This will all be on 1 20amp dedicated circuit.

 

[champscorner]

anyone? The guy who says hello and says he's putting up lights got more responsesu

 

[ACsGreens]

Where are you located?

 

[zieglj01]

anyone? The guy who says hello and says he's putting up lights got more responsesu

In-wall wiring guide - In-wall Wiring Guide

http://www.home--theater.com/?hop=andghi

 

[champscorner]

Where are you located?

Sorry, I'm in Ohio. Changed profile.

 

[TLS Guy]

Whatever else you do run all in wall wires in conduit. Make sure it is pretty large diameter, and would take the equivalent of and xlr connector being fed through it, without pulling hard.

I doubt we will be using speaker wires in a 10 years or less. We will be using AES 42 optical cable. That standard is agreed going forward. Make sure you have a source of AC power at every possible speaker location you might want. That way you will be future proof.

 

[ACsGreens]

I would recommend a few things. First, use good wiring like an in wall rated Tributaries 14-16 guage. Find a custom installer in your area as most will allow you to purchase a 500 ft spool of wiring and return whats left. That will assure that you don't run out, which is a pain in the a$$. Lastly, don't take too much advice on here in realation to speakers as matter of fact. A lot of us like different speakers but what matters most is your enjoyment of that particular speaker. One thing I would mention (like i just said not to listen to) is auditioning at least one speaker with a RAAL ribbon tweeter. I have heard a lot of tweeters and that is my favorite, along with many others on here. Good luck, the journey is most of the fun.

 

[champscorner]

Whatever else you do run all in wall wires in conduit. Make sure it is pretty large diameter, and would take the equivalent of and xlr connector being fed through it, without pulling hard.

I doubt we will be using speaker wires in a 10 years or less. We will be using AES 42 optical cable. That standard is agreed going forward. Make sure you have a source of AC power at every possible speaker location you might want. That way you will be future proof.

Thanks for your response but from what I've read up so far I'm not sure I will need conduit unless there's a specific saftey reason to use it. From what I've seen the conduit serves the purpose of replacing faulty wiring easily and I should'nt have that issue. My house was built in 1910 and I acually have an 8' ceiling below an old 10' ceiling. So in essence I have a "crawl space" that i can access to get to any wiring throughout the house easily. So do you feel I would still need to run conduit for any saftey concerns? Is there a specific rating of conduit i should use? I do plan on installing stud plates on the main wall as to not hit any wiring with drywall screws.
As far as AC power, I'm hoping to run 5 outlets off 1 20 amp circuit. One directly behind display(wall hung), 1 behind av equipment stand, 2 on each end of wall behind where main fronts would go(for future use), and 1 in the computer room directly behind the LR wall. My hope is to have all this hooked up as one big multimedia area. Running AC to the in ceiling speakers/outdoor speaker locations is possible but a lot more work than I'm really ready to do right now. So do you think this setup would get me through the next decade or so without updating?

 

[champscorner]

I would recommend a few things. First, use good wiring like an in wall rated Tributaries 14-16 guage. Find a custom installer in your area as most will allow you to purchase a 500 ft spool of wiring and return whats left. That will assure that you don't run out, which is a pain in the a$$. Lastly, don't take too much advice on here in realation to speakers as matter of fact. A lot of us like different speakers but what matters most is your enjoyment of that particular speaker. One thing I would mention (like i just said not to listen to) is auditioning at least one speaker with a RAAL ribbon tweeter. I have heard a lot of tweeters and that is my favorite, along with many others on here. Good luck, the journey is most of the fun.

Thanks ACsGreens. I planned on ordering cl2 rated 14 gauge wire from monoprice. The longest run I'll have is 70' to the back deck. Is there a certain "good" speaker wire I should be looking at? I've read a little on oxygen free copper but am unsure it will make that big of a difference? Also, what cables and how many of each do you think I may need if I would want have display, receiver, direct tv, ps3, computer, and an amp in the future? Any specific brands of cables better than others? Recommended wall plates to accommodate this? Sorry, know it's a lot of questions but I'm getting pumped to do this

 

[Grador]

Sounds like you've actually got a pretty good handle on what's going on. One suggestion I have based upon your budget and desire for 3 zones [limiting you to expensive receivers] is to put the oppo player on the backburner. Though they are by all accounts very well built solid units, unless you are deadset upon using the multichannel analog outs you will probably find no quality improvements. Going with a $150 sony or panasonic would give you a few hundred more to spend on your speaker setup which could offer greater advantages. If you find in the end you still have the $$$ leftover for the oppo, it would be a nice upgrade.

 

[Grador]

Also, monoprice cable will do you just fine, at 70' you might consider 12 gauge though.

 

[champscorner]

Sounds like you've actually got a pretty good handle on what's going on. One suggestion I have based upon your budget and desire for 3 zones [limiting you to expensive receivers] is to put the oppo player on the backburner. Though they are by all accounts very well built solid units, unless you are deadset upon using the multichannel analog outs you will probably find no quality improvements. Going with a $150 sony or panasonic would give you a few hundred more to spend on your speaker setup which could offer greater advantages. If you find in the end you still have the $$$ leftover for the oppo, it would be a nice upgrade.

Well pretty much from just reading. As you probably know, reading and actually having REAL knowledge of this equipment/wiring/cables ect....is where i'm lacking I'm kinda a neat freak and just hope to get most of it right from the get go.
Good suggestion on the oppo and speakers. I was actually thinking of holding off on that and just using my ps3 for now. Maybe update to the oppo when I replace my display later on.

 

[zieglj01]

Well pretty much from just reading. As you probably know, reading and actually having REAL knowledge of this equipment/wiring/cables ect....is where i'm lacking

Do not get caught up, in the high profile speaker wire game.
Proper guage and in-wall rated, will be the key - and buying
from Monoprice, will be a good option.
Speaker Wire

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for your response but from what I've read up so far I'm not sure I will need conduit unless there's a specific saftey reason to use it. From what I've seen the conduit serves the purpose of replacing faulty wiring easily and I should'nt have that issue. My house was built in 1910 and I acually have an 8' ceiling below an old 10' ceiling. So in essence I have a "crawl space" that i can access to get to any wiring throughout the house easily. So do you feel I would still need to run conduit for any saftey concerns? Is there a specific rating of conduit i should use? I do plan on installing stud plates on the main wall as to not hit any wiring with drywall screws.
As far as AC power, I'm hoping to run 5 outlets off 1 20 amp circuit. One directly behind display(wall hung), 1 behind av equipment stand, 2 on each end of wall behind where main fronts would go(for future use), and 1 in the computer room directly behind the LR wall. My hope is to have all this hooked up as one big multimedia area. Running AC to the in ceiling speakers/outdoor speaker locations is possible but a lot more work than I'm really ready to do right now. So do you think this setup would get me through the next decade or so without updating?

If you really think you can get to the wires without a hassle go ahead, but conduit makes changing leads just a few minutes work.

Plastic pipe is cheap and easy to work with.

 

[jonnythan]

I doubt we will be using speaker wires in a 10 years or less. We will be using AES 42 optical cable.

I'd bet my entire savings account that in 10 years, AES 42 will not be very widespread and most speakers will still be passive.

 

[champscorner]

If you really think you can get to the wires without a hassle go ahead, but conduit makes changing leads just a few minutes work.

Plastic pipe is cheap and easy to work with.

It truly should be that easy for any vertical runs but maybe use it for any horizontal runs. So are you saying pvc would work fine? I have plenty of that left over out in the garage. What would be a good dia to use?

 

[champscorner]

Ok, I'm back Getting ready to start tearing into the wall soon. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on my wiring/cables from monoprice later today but wanted to post my list to see if you guys think I missed anything I may need for now. I realize I'll have to place another order later when I actually get to setting everything up...just wanted to get the ball rolling on the in the wall stuff for now. So, what do you think, anything I'm missing here?


https://www.monoprice.com/myaccount/my_wish_list.asp?w_idx=72208

 

[champscorner]

sorry, if link doesn't work try this:

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72208 In wall setup (15)



In wall setup PID Qty Product Name Price Line Total
2801
1 PAIR OF High-Quality Copper Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type [JX-74043] $1.53 $24.48
3324
High Quality Banana Binding Post Two-Piece Inset Wall Plate for 1 Speaker - Coupler Type $1.89 $5.67
3379
5FT 24AWG Cat5e 350MHz UTP Ethernet Bare Copper Network Cable - Orange $1.11 $1.11
3380
5FT 24AWG Cat5e 350MHz UTP Ethernet Bare Copper Network Cable - Purple $1.11 $1.11
3844
250ft 12AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable (For In-Wall Installation) $80.60 $80.60
3955
6ft 28AWG High Speed HDMI® Cable w/Ferrite Cores - Yellow $3.50 $3.50
3992
6ft 28AWG High Speed HDMI® Cable w/Ferrite Cores - Black $3.50 $3.50
4013
3-Gang 8.2 Surround Sound Distribution Wall Plate $15.30 $15.30
4024
6ft 28AWG High Speed HDMI® Cable w/Ferrite Cores - Red $3.50 $3.50
4026
6ft 28AWG High Speed HDMI® Cable w/Ferrite Cores - White $3.50 $3.50
7015
3-Gang Low Voltage Mounting Bracket $3.59 $7.18
7062
1-Gang Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for New Construction $0.91 $4.55
7063
2-Gang Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for New Construction $1.57 $3.14
7332
Two-Piece Inset Wall Plate with 4 Inch Built-in Flexible High Speed HDMI® Cable With Ethernet - Dual Port (2P) $5.97 $23.88
7838
Cat5e / F-Type Wall Plate (Cat5e + F-Type) - Coupler Type $2.52 $5.04
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