wall plates - convient, but ok?

[scott911]

I'm thinking of installing a wall plate like this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=3539

It'll look nice, but obviously introduce another connection between speakers and amp. - planning to use basic no-frills 10 or 12 gauge monoprice or bluejeanscable wire.

Thoughts?
Use plate, or just feed all the wire through a hole in the wall / floor?

Thanks.

 

[MDS]

I use wall plates just like those except I bought them at PartsExpress.

The MonoPrice version looks to be identical and what I like about them is that they have binding posts on both the front and back instead of a tiny little set screw like so many other wall plates. You can clamp even bare wire very tightly just like you would on the back of the receiver. You could even use banana plugs on the back if you want.

IMO, wall plates make for a cleaner installation than a simple pass thru plate or hole in the wall.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... but obviously introduce another connection between speakers and amp. -
Thanks.

No big thing whatsoever. Use it, as MDS has mentioned.

 

[erick.s]

I bought these:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042505&p_id=3997&seq=1&format=2


I haven't installed them yet, but it seemed like the best way to avoid having another connection.

 

[Exit]

I can see using a wall plate like that is you have the walls open for new construction or remodeling and you can easily install an electrical box. I would even consider something like that in the walls at the surrounds positions. I would particularly consider this in a dedicated HT room because It would be part of the selling points.

I had existing wall so I used the wires through the floor method. Nobody can see it and when I move I simply remove the wires and the carpet covers up the hole. For the wall mount speakers I just have a four small holes to fill plus screw holes.

I think either method is acceptable.

 

[m_vanmeter]

I have used both the monoprice "connector" plates with banana plugs on the wiring to the speaker and also their "pass through" plate mentioned above.

The connector type plates were used in a house that was going to be sold within a year and the fancier connector plates would look better to the new buyer.

The pass through plates were used where resale was not an issue and the wire coming out of a nice recessed plate was desired to avoid another in-line connection.

Either will work fine, just depends on your personal choice.

 

[Halon451]

Using wall plates will always give a much more refined, professional appearance to your setup. Running the wires straight through the wall might be preferred in some situations (i.e., wall-mounted surround speaker, where the hole is hidden behind the speaker) and even then, I would still use a basic wall plate with a hole cut out, and maybe even snake skin from the wall to speaker. But a bunch of speaker cables running out of the wall behind or near your equipment rack makes for a sloppy, amateurish look, not to mention, if you decide to move your rack at some point, you're most likely SOL, and will end up having to cut and splice, rather than just cutting a new length and plugging into the wall plate from the new location.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Exit]

I would not recommend running cables through a hole in the wall because it would be a hassle to fill in the hole if you move and it would look sloppy. I do recommend using a hole in a carpeted floor because when you move, you remove the wires and cables and then fold the flap of carpet over the hole without additional work. You can use velcro cable ties from Home Depot to make the appearance of your wiring neater if you want. In my setup you can't see the hole in the floor from in front or to the sides of the equipment. This is the way you did it before connector plates became popular.

 

[itschris]

When we had the wood floors put in, I never thought how much more difficult it would make for stereo/ht installations. I have to run everything up and over and back down and we're at about 18 feet at the peek of our ceiling which simply makes every run stupid long.

I'm using custom wallplates from dvi gear for the speakers and subs, but am using the same monoprice plate with the hole in it behind the gear and behind the tv console.

 

[Dan Brouny]

Wall plates are grea

 

[mouettus]

I'm not anal about connections and all but when you start to count:

receiver/amp to banana plug (1) to wire (2) to banana plug (3) to wall plate (4) to bare wire (in-wall)(5) to wall plate (6) to banana plug (7) to wire (8) to banana plug (9) to speaker (10). What a journey! I'd stick with the pass-through plates. They look clean too and you get the best possible connection.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...What a journey!

Not for the signals they love it