New NILES system, HELP!

[sfre46]

I recently purchased a NILES 8630 AV for my home, which I am remodeling and adding on to.

I have a question about speaker wire (and other things, but this one is stumping me!), if someone can help.

I was told that I will need to run 12 gauge 4 conductor speaker wire from the NILES 8630 receiver to the wall mounted IR keypads. I will then need to run speaker wire from the wall mounted IR keypads (controls) to the actual in wall (ceiling) speakers. I will then need to run wire from speaker to speaker, most likely 12 gauge 2 conductor speaker wire.

I understand these basic concepts of running speaker wire. I also understand that you need a thicker gauge of speaker wire depending on the length's of runs.

However, I am having trouble with 1. Why and how I will be able to run the 12 gauge 4 conductor speaker wire from the NILES receiver - it appears from the manual that it only supports 2 conductor, not 4 conductor, can someone please explain? AND 2. Where do I purchase 12 gauge 4 conductor speaker wire? I can not find it on web.

Thanks

 

[BMXTRIX]

One speaker uses 2 wires - so a stereo pair of speakers uses 4 wires.

Unless you are doing a very serious theater, I wouldn't think you need to go above 14 gauge wiring for distributed audio. Not sure where you heard otherwise.

Do the speaker wires even go through the IR keypads? Not sure what your setup is, but I know that if there are IR keypads to control the audio, perhaps you just need to run the speaker wire directly to the speakers.

I know in my setup (crestron) I could have run the wiring straight to the speakers, but I ran it to the wall first just in case when I move out I decide to yank all the keypads and take them with me (likely). But, I did not have to do this.

14/4 wiring is readily available including my favorite for all around quality:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-500-14-4-IN-WALL-SPEAKER-CABLE-WIRE_W0QQitemZ5720497971QQcategoryZ14966QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yes, I know some hate Monster, but CIPRO is a different breed from any other in-wall wire I've ever experienced personally - so just let me have my opinion.

What equipment do you actually have that you are trying to connect? Niles makes a lot of stuff.

 

[sfre46]

Thanks for your response - I was able to find the answer before your post, but you are 100% correct!.

Getting the 12 awg, 4 conductor on advice from someone who has the Niles 8630 AV in their home, so that is why I was looking for it. I found some for sale at smarthome.com. I might not get the 12 awg as you stated before, 14 awg should do the job inside as the runs will all be under 200 feet.

I believe (my understanding from talking with same person who installed their Niles) that the speaker wire needs to go from the Niles system to IR key pads, and from key pads to speakers. But I see what you are saying. The speaker wires can run from the Niles direct to speakers, and keypads direct to Niles, where the Niles would (via the keypads) turn up or down volume on speakers which are directly connected to the Niles system, I believe that is what you were saying.

I only have the Niles receiver so far, as I am fine tuning my layout and seeing exactly which zones (rooms) I will need actual IR keypads (IR because they can also be controlled by hand remote, right..) and which need plain old keypads (where I will have to "manually" switch between source and turn up/down volume), along with how I am going to do one room for surround sound ( I have downloaded and studied {I think correctly} the NILES manual).

Basically I am going to have an inexpensive - moderate priced home theater receiver that will power the other three speakers, with the NILES controlling the other two speakers in one of the zones. The receiver will not have to control any source componets as I plan to have the NILES do that. Is there an easier way, i.e. speaker ampliefier or something that I am missing??

Looooooong post, thanks!