Where to run my speaker wires in the wall?

[ruskus]

My walls and ceiling are open and I will be running wires to my rear speakers. I know the power lines can cause interference. Anyone have info on wire placement and what to watch out for? Thanks.

Russ

Looking at B&W 683 Front, B&W HTM61 Center, B&W 6.5" Rear in ceiling

 

[highfigh]

Don't run any low voltage wiring close to, or parallel to high voltage wiring. If you absolutely must intersect with high voltage wiring, cross at a right angle, in order to avoid noise pickup. Use the shortest route possible, avoid lights, kinking the wire and pulling it too tightly. If you don't want to buy all kinds of wire mounting clips, etc, hammer Romex staples with the nails in line with the wire's direction and use wire ties to secure the cables to the staples. Place them at the center of the studs and joists. If you need to drill through joists, drill in the middle 1/3 of it's height and never drill through Micro-Lam. Engineered I joists can be drilled or you can route the wire through the knock-outs. If you drill through 2x4 studs for horizontal runs, drill in the center of the stud and put nailing plates over the wire. Nailing plates are in the electrical aisle at Home Depot, etc.

 

[m_vanmeter]

please us UL approved in-wall low voltage wiring for your runs that will be closed into the walls after the drywall is applied.

Here is an example http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=100-734

the UL rating of CL2/CL3 is what is needed, and if the final home wiring will be inspected, the inspector will look for that designation printed on the speaker cable sheath.

 

[ruskus]

Thanks for the info. Ordering my wire today.

Russ

 

[m_vanmeter]

how do you plan to "terminate" your wiring ? Most common method is a plastic "single" outlet box, usually nailed to a stud. The drywallers will cut out around the box, just like all the other outlet boxes in the room. Leave extra wire in the box for later, makes hook up easier.

Next is what type of connectors do you want for your speakers. The most common is a cover plate for the outlet box with two screw type connector posts. Another, very simple method is a cover with a hole in the center, feed the wire out thru the hole and hook to speaker, eliminating an intermediate set of connections. Your choice. None of this is needed if you are going to use in-wall speakers.

If you go with the cover plates and screw connectors, DO NOT buy them at the local big box store - prices are ripoffs, this is a supplier I have purchased a lot of excellent a/v wiring stuff from
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042503&p_id=3324&seq=1&format=2

this is another method of running the wire out of the wall in a neat manner, no intermediate connectors, just hook the wire to the speaker.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042505&p_id=3997&seq=1&format=2

good luck

 

[Haoleb]

When you get the outlet boxes, Dont get the kind used for outlets and switches that are enclosed, Get the ones made for low voltage that are basically just a ring. Leaves the wall cavity wide open for you to stuff wires in and makes it much much easier down the road.