Home theater speaker wiring - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SCrubjay · 06-10-2004, 09:10 AM

I could post this either in the "how to" forum or here ...so I thought I'd try here first.

I'm about to embark on wiring our "great room" for rear speakers. The problem is that there is no easy access to the rear wall. My understanding is that the speakers should be mounted slightly above the listening level, so I Interpret that to mean about 7 feet above the floor. As the ceiling is 18 feet with very little crawlspace (I don't even know if I want to be up there!) I'm going to have to use some type of a fish to move the wires through the walls and maybe across the crawlspace. This run could be up to 30 feet.

How easy is this to do for a novice?

Any tips I need to know?

Thanks

LewisCouch · 06-10-2004, 05:02 PM

Is it an exterior wall? What type of construction? Example: T-111 over plywood sheathing with wood studs and drywall. Is there access from underneath? This task is not too terribly difficult depending on location, however, it can be quite frustrating if you've never done it before.

jvwgtr · 06-15-2004, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCrubjay
My understanding is that the speakers should be mounted slightly above the listening level, so I Interpret that to mean about 7 feet above the floor.

Seven feet? Are you going to be standing up when you're watching movies? I would think you'd want it more like ear level (when seated).
Based on the description of your room, it sounds like it will be a real pain, especially if there's insulation & stuff up there.
I don't envy you...especially in the summertime!

iamtheone · 06-18-2004, 04:08 AM

Bipolar/Dipole surrounds usually perform best when placed on the side walls directly across or slightly behind the seated listening position and at approximately 18-28” above the seated ear level position.

Quadpolar surrounds, similar to Bipoles, usually perform best when placed on sidewalls, but closer to the backwalls, for rear wall reflection of the side mounted tweeter. Their height should be about 4-6 feet above the seated position, but greater than 1 foot away from the ceiling to not obscure the top mounted woofer.

Direct Radiating surrounds usually perform best when placed behind and slightly higher than the listening position, spread apart the same distance as the mains and slightly toed in.

iamtheone · 06-18-2004, 04:09 AM

As far as the wiring, is it possible to go under the floor and back up in the back of the room?

06-10-2004, 09:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
SCrubjay Upright	Home theater speaker wiring I could post this either in the "how to" forum or here ...so I thought I'd try here first. I'm about to embark on wiring our "great room" for rear speakers. The problem is that there is no easy access to the rear wall. My understanding is that the speakers should be mounted slightly above the listening level, so I Interpret that to mean about 7 feet above the floor. As the ceiling is 18 feet with very little crawlspace (I don't even know if I want to be up there!) I'm going to have to use some type of a fish to move the wires through the walls and maybe across the crawlspace. This run could be up to 30 feet. How easy is this to do for a novice? Any tips I need to know? Thanks

06-10-2004, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
LewisCouch Insane Location: Pacific NW	Is it an exterior wall? What type of construction? Example: T-111 over plywood sheathing with wood studs and drywall. Is there access from underneath? This task is not too terribly difficult depending on location, however, it can be quite frustrating if you've never done it before. __________________ "The gift of liberty is like that of a horse, handsome, strong, and high-spirited. In some it arouses a wish to ride; in many others, on the contrary, it increases the desire to walk." -- Massimo d'Azeglio

06-18-2004, 04:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	Bipolar/Dipole surrounds usually perform best when placed on the side walls directly across or slightly behind the seated listening position and at approximately 18-28” above the seated ear level position. Quadpolar surrounds, similar to Bipoles, usually perform best when placed on sidewalls, but closer to the backwalls, for rear wall reflection of the side mounted tweeter. Their height should be about 4-6 feet above the seated position, but greater than 1 foot away from the ceiling to not obscure the top mounted woofer. Direct Radiating surrounds usually perform best when placed behind and slightly higher than the listening position, spread apart the same distance as the mains and slightly toed in. __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority

06-18-2004, 04:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
iamtheone Psychoholic Location: Ein tov she'ein bo ra!	As far as the wiring, is it possible to go under the floor and back up in the back of the room? __________________ Music is holy, art is sacred, and creativity is power... Think for Yourself Question Authority