Whole home audio question (volume to 4 speakers)

[ScubaAddict]

I plan to run 8 speakers in my basement, and I am pre-wiring prior to drywall.

I have 8 speakers (all 8 ohms). I plan to have 2 outside, 2 in the bathroom, and 4 in the main area (it is quite long). I plan to have 3 impedence matching volume controls (1 outside, 1 bathroom, 1 for the 4 speakers).

Now, I am planning to run the 3 volume controls back to 1 receiver (possibly with an amp - don't know yet).

MY QUESTION: The 4 speakers off of 1 volume control... I plan to wire them in stereo with parallel wiring (2 speakers for each channel). Do I want to make each speaker run a "home-run" to the volume control (ie 4 full runs to the volume control), or is it better to run wire to the first speaker, then run the wire from that speaker to the other speaker (same channel) for a total of 2 runs to the volume control?

I hope this is enough (and not too much) info! Thanks for your help!!

ScubaAddict

 

[highfigh]

I plan to run 8 speakers in my basement, and I am pre-wiring prior to drywall.

I have 8 speakers (all 8 ohms). I plan to have 2 outside, 2 in the bathroom, and 4 in the main area (it is quite long). I plan to have 3 impedence matching volume controls (1 outside, 1 bathroom, 1 for the 4 speakers).

Now, I am planning to run the 3 volume controls back to 1 receiver (possibly with an amp - don't know yet).

MY QUESTION: The 4 speakers off of 1 volume control... I plan to wire them in stereo with parallel wiring (2 speakers for each channel). Do I want to make each speaker run a "home-run" to the volume control (ie 4 full runs to the volume control), or is it better to run wire to the first speaker, then run the wire from that speaker to the other speaker (same channel) for a total of 2 runs to the volume control?

I hope this is enough (and not too much) info! Thanks for your help!!

ScubaAddict

Run the wires to the volume control. If you don't, reconfiguring it will be just about impossible. Also, use a double J-box and a single gang mud ring. It will give you a lot more space on the box for the control and wires. Use the biggest, deepest boxes you can find. The wires take up space behind the control and this will make it easier to fit everything in there.

 

[ScubaAddict]

highfigh - thank you. I am using the new work single gang orange boxes that don't have a back to them - I am assuming that no-back would be sufficient for room - plus the location on one of the volume controls will only allow for a single gang.

Now, is there any difference between "full runs back" and running speaker to speaker as far as performance? I ask because full runs may take up more wire then I have. My speakers are placed in a line across the room (moving away from the volume control):

VOL --- R --- L --- R --- L

So running wire:

VOL --- R -------- R

and

VOL --------- L --------- L

May save me from having to buy more wire - but I don't want to sacrifice quality. I can't think of any reason why I would reconfigure in the future, so I think quality is my main consideration.

 

[highfigh]

highfigh - thank you. I am using the new work single gang orange boxes that don't have a back to them - I am assuming that no-back would be sufficient for room - plus the location on one of the volume controls will only allow for a single gang.

Now, is there any difference between "full runs back" and running speaker to speaker as far as performance? I ask because full runs may take up more wire then I have. My speakers are placed in a line across the room (moving away from the volume control):

VOL --- R --- L --- R --- L

So running wire:

VOL --- R -------- R

and

VOL --------- L --------- L

May save me from having to buy more wire - but I don't want to sacrifice quality. I can't think of any reason why I would reconfigure in the future, so I think quality is my main consideration.

I would run 4 conductor from the volume control to the speakers. It not only adds flexibility if needed in case you decide to install dual voice coil/tweeter speakers but if there's a problem with the speaker wires and you only have two conductors, you still have a chance to wire them without running new wires. I would run all of the wires past at least one speaker location, so you can fix any problems that come up e.g., drywall screws through the cable, etc. It happens.

You won't notice any difference in performance if you run everything to the volume control location and since you're using the Carlon low voltage rough-in rings, you have room for all of the wires.