Help-must run speaker cable near romex

[Chris789]

After reading many of your articles, reviews, forums (THANKS, BTW!)--I have determined that I will need to use shielded 12ga speaker cable for my in-wall speakers (the run is about 30'). Additionally, the temporary (place holder) speaker cable was run during construction in the ONLY wall cavities that can hold these surround speakers. Unfortunately (looking now at building photos) both cavities contain electrical romex, which will run parallel to the speaker cable. I am having a hard time finding shielded 12ga speaker wire (which is what I 'think' I need...) Any suggestions? Other options?

 

[jaxvon]

Is there no way you can do any other wire runs? I have a feeling that a 30ft run in close proximity to your structured wiring would yield a 60Hz hum in your system.

 

[Chris789]

Unfortunately not...unless they're placed next to each other close to the center of the wall... There's a double (36") cold air return near one (left) side of the wall, leaving only one cavity to the far left to install one of the speakers in (which contains romex)--otherwise it would have to be placed almost in the center of the wall. For even placement of the speakers, the right side also contains romex--or is too centered in the room also. I just never considered this during the building process. There is just no other placement in this room.

 

[Chris789]

Will these work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7598806809&category=41499
Or will I still get the humm...?

 

[4yew]

Is the speaker cable running the entire 30ft with the romax, or is it just in that wall cavity? What type of speakers and amp are you using? With that length of a run, depending again on the type of speakers and amp, 12 AWG may not be necessary if the speaker cable is only travelling a short distance with the romax. I would recommend looking here for different options in speaker cable: http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/c/cispeakercable

A 14AWG maybe all you need if you are only with the romax a short distance.

 

[Chris789]

The romex runs the full length of both wall cavities, but it is the only location of the parallel run--the rest can be avoided in the basement. I was under the impression (from what I've read lately) that anymore than a 24" parallel run would cause interferrence... and that the 12 ga wiring would be best on this long of a run.

Speakers are Klipsch in-wall RCW-3, 50W (200W peak) (got 'em for a steal on ebay). I'm looking at new receiver, poss. Denon 3805... Thanks for your input!

 

[Chris789]

I found this:

http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/iec/fullpic?Qa2ZnXNU;CAB002-12SPSH;12

Will it solve my problem? I really don't want to cut the holes in the wall only to have a constant buzz...

On the other hand, there is no other place to install the speakers in the room; and, it would be worth taking the chance if it might solve the problem. It would be irritating and time consuming if it didn't work, but drywall is repairable. If it is simply impossible; however, please let me know.

BTW, I have considered running plenum rated cable in the cold air return and drilling over one stud bay to keep the cable farther away, but it would not solve the problem for the speaker on the other side of the wall--water/sewer line plumbing, romex, etc... I have also considered placing flexible steel conduit in the wall, but since it's so flexible, it might be too be difficult to place. One wall cavity is insulated, the other is not. It might be worth a try, though, if you think it might be a better idea...or any others?

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated!

 

[philh]

What about running the speaker cable with plenty of sag to prevent parallel run. In each cavity, double the "needed" cable run, that way you don't have parallel runs

 

[Chris789]

Thanks for your input, philh. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the wiring in a sagging position? I'm thinking it will just fall to the bottom of the stud bay and will still be parallel through the rest of the run. Also, if I could keep it in a "non-parallel" position, I'm concerned about it being closer to the romex. Would this be a problem? Thanks again!

 

[Johnd]

This is a lot of banter about parallel wiring, rfi, emi, etc. It sounds like you're fairly "handy". You've written that the two stud cavities are the only ones that will hold the speakers. That is not to say they are the only ones to hold the speaker wires. Why not simply pull the wires a cavity (or two) over, thereby eliminating the risk of emi/rfi, and drill a small hole through the plaster/sheetrock and stud at speaker height, feed the wire through, and you're done. Oh yes, you will have to do a small plaster repair or two, but I could have done that in less than half the time that has been spent on this thread. There's more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[Chris789]

Well...I was trying to find another way to skin this cat....

The interior of the wall in question is plagued with horizontal and vertical wiring, plumbing, as well as cold air returns, insulation, and a furnace flu. It is a wall that backs to the master bathroom--with a 96" vanity/plumbing, bathtub plumbing, two outlets, and two light fixtures.

I prewired before knowing the parallel romex proximity would cause a problem--and to AVOID cutting into, repairing, and re-painting the main wall in my great room.

If I had been in a hurry, I would have just removed sections of drywall and repatched. As I have some time (waiting for delivery of new receiver, building an entertainment center, completing wiring, repairing speakers...) I thought I'd ask a few questions of those here who spend a great deal of time educating those of us less knowledgable.

I'm sorry to have wasted your time, Johnd... Don't worry, though, my banter is finished here.

 

[jneutron]

Chris

I haven't followed the entire thread, so don't know.....

Is your speaker wire a twisted pair?

I just ran two speakers into the kitchen during a house reno, and I used #14 stuff. Grey jacket, simple red/black pair inside..it's pitch is about 3 inches I would guess.

It goes on, near, around, up, down, past all kinds of AC runs from #14 romex up to #6/3 for the double oven.

No hum, no noise, nuttin.

I don't think you 'll have any issues, unless noise can get into the receiver via the speak runs. If you are using parallel speak wire, just twist it a bunch through the bays.

Good luck

John

 

[Johnd]

I'm sorry to have wasted your time

Not at all Chris. That's not really what I meant. I thought you were holding up the install whilst agonizing over the options. I see that you haven't, so that's good. And this forum is just the place for those type of questions. Forgive me for being overly blunt. Anyway, happy to hear you pondered the ideas and figured a solution? (I think so, but you didn't actually stated that?) Happy listening.