Home Theatre Wiring Questions

[bilgirami]

Folks, I havent been on this site in a while but it is nice to see that it is going strong still. I have a question that I am having trouble finding an answer for. I am finishing my basement and would like to run speaker cables for a 7.1 system. I would like to run the surrounds and surround back wires behind the walls (surrounf backs will probably go in the ceiling). Now where these wires go into the wall and where they come out, I want to prevent that hole from looking ugly, a plain simple hole that a speaker wire is sticking out of. Is there such a thing as a 'female banana plug' that can go on a faceplate and give my wall/ceiling a nice clean finish. I would be happy to look at any other option as well. The wiring will be done with a 14 AWG wire.

Appreciate your help in advance.

 

[dkane360]

something like this?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10425

 

[BMXTRIX]

More specifically...
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042503&p_id=3639&seq=1&format=2

They are called binding posts and are exactly what you plug banana plugs into.

I like these as well because they are really low profile in the wall, but they demand that you use banana plugs...
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=151-440

 

[MDS]

Is there such a thing as a 'female banana plug' that can go on a faceplate and give my wall/ceiling a nice clean finish.

The female receptacle you plug the banana plug into is called a 'binding post'.

I have ones that look like the first link from BMXTRIX except I got mine at PartsExpress. They have binding posts on both the front and back so you could even use a banana plug on the side that is inside the wall.

 

[jinjuku]

The female receptacle you plug the banana plug into is called a 'binding post'.

I have ones that look like the first link from BMXTRIX except I got mine at PartsExpress. They have binding posts on both the front and back so you could even use a banana plug on the side that is inside the wall.

I would encourage people to get the solder style posts for the inside wall portion of binding posts.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I saw someone suggest a spring loaded speaker terminal cup the other day, the kind normally used on speaker cabinets. No reason why it wouldn't work for a wall, too. Just cut a hole in the wall and screw it in place. There are also recessed versions that accept banana plugs, if something like that floats your boat.


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[billy p]

I'm using the ones from monoprice along with a gang box and it worked great. I didn't solder mine because I used bare wire and the inner binding post will IMO hold it securely. Besides I don't have access to a soldering gun...

 

[mtrycrafts]

I saw someone suggest a spring loaded speaker terminal cup the other day, the kind normally used on speaker cabinets. No reason why it wouldn't work for a wall, too. Just cut a hole in the wall and screw it in place. There are also recessed versions that accept banana plugs, if something like that floats your boat.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

This may not fit an standard single electrical box. If not, it would not screw well to drywall.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... Besides I don't have access to a soldering gun...

And you are in this hobby without one?
That is a lifetime tool that can come in handy many times over that time period Time to buy one.

 

[BMXTRIX]

And you are in this hobby without one?
That is a lifetime tool that can come in handy many times over that time period Time to buy one.

Than I outta drive you nuts since I've been in the industry for 10 years and don't have one.

 

[billy p]

And you are in this hobby without one?
That is a lifetime tool that can come in handy many times over that time period Time to buy one.

In know.... There have been several instances in the past where I needed to borrow one, time to change that....

 

[Rickster71]

I saw someone suggest a spring loaded speaker terminal cup the other day, the kind normally used on speaker cabinets. No reason why it wouldn't work for a wall, too. Just cut a hole in the wall and screw it in place. There are also recessed versions that accept banana plugs, if something like that floats your boat.


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Why 'rig' something?
Since there are already wall plates specifically made for that application.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Than I outta drive you nuts since I've been in the industry for 10 years and don't have one.

Doesn't drive me nuts, I have one But, just when you need one, it is the pits not to have in in hand. I like to use it.
Like a good tool, never know when you need it.

 

[mtrycrafts]

In know.... There have been several instances in the past where I needed to borrow one, time to change that....

Don't need an expensive soldering gun. One with a screw in tip for different wattage tips are inexpensive and can last a lifetime. A good tool to pass on the the next generation I have mine from college days, seems like yesterday.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

This may not fit an standard single electrical box. If not, it would not screw well to drywall.

Why not? The cable TV and phone people do it all the time. You don't need a box for low voltage. The only thing potentially bad I see about it is that the screws will be really close to the main hole, so it wouldn't take much abuse. But it should be a low-stress situation - connect the wires once and you don't need to mess with it anymore.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[bilgirami]

K, now we are really off topic. Let me try and bring it back to the topic. i got the binding posts from monprice. Can someone tell me how difficult (or not so difficult) making a subwoofer cable is. As mentioned earlier, I am finishing my basement and I am running all speaker cable sbehind the wall. I want to have the sub cable go from where the TV/Receiver etc are going to be to the back of the room. What type of cable do I need to run and what is the correct way on installing RCA jacks on both ends.

Thanks a bunch in advance.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

You can use plain old RG-6 coax and crimp RCA's to both ends.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[bilgirami]

Can I find a step by step procedure on the web somewhere?

 

[billy p]

For the sake of building a couple of cables I wouldn't invest in a crimping tool...but if you are still inclined... http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/cables.htm

Good luck, Bill

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Or just buy a sub cable from MonoPrice for 11 cents...

For the sake of building a couple of cables I wouldn't invest in a crimping tool...but if you are still inclined... http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/cables.htm

Good luck, Bill