Speaker and HDMI wall plates

[Jay]

When using these wall plates, should I cut a hole in the wall and insert an electrical box and then put the wall plate on top of it? Or, is there a better way to do it? If I just put the wall plate on the wall without an electrical box, I am not sure how well it will stay screwed into drywall only.

 

[Johnd]

Hey Jay.

I always use a box, run an approved (in-wall) cable through the box, and then the cover plate. It is a more profesional job, and you will not have issues such as those that you have mentioned. Good luck.

 

[Jay]

Thanks. Isn't all speaker cable, sub cable, HDMI, or component cable approved in wall cable?

 

[Johnd]

Thanks. Isn't all speaker cable, sub cable, HDMI, or component cable approved in wall cable?

No, not at all. It is generically called "in-wall", and has ratings such as class 2 (or anything higher is allowed) or CL2 or CL3, etc. Just make sure it is rated for such use before you stuff it in the wall. Here's an informative link:
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/understanding-in-wall-speaker-video-and-audio-cable-ratings

Have fun with it!

 

[MDS]

If you are cutting a new hole where there was previously no J-Box you want to use what is known as a 'retro-ring' or 'mud ring'. Both Home Depot and Lowes carry them and they are about $3 - brand name is Carlon and they are orange.

Retro rings have dog legs that flip up and squeeze the drywall and there is no need to nail it to a stud like the regular j-box.