Planning For Home Theater Wiring Can Keep Installation Simple
One of the most common complaints from people installing a home theater surround sound system in their home is the number of wires associated with the installation. Every speaker that is going to be connected to the main unit will require two wires and with a seven-speaker surround sound system the home theater wiring can take a lot of time, as well as a lot of space.
Most surround sound systems include four speakers located near the front of the room. Speakers will be placed in the center of the front as well as the left and right with a subwoofer located near the front of the room as well. In most installations, the main unit is located near the monitor and home theater wiring for these four speakers will be fairly straightforward. However, those who choose to install the main unit in another location will have to provide wiring to the speakers, regardless of their location.
The rear speakers will also need home theater wiring from the main unit, depending on how many speakers are being connected. Typical surround sound calls for one speaker in the rear on the left and one on the right, but some stereo surround systems will have four speakers in the rear.
Wires Need Protected As Well As Hidden
Most installers of home theater wiring will try to keep them out of sight as well as keeping them from being damaged. While some may hide the wiring under carpeting, if it is held in place by nail strips along the edges, the nails can damage the wires. However, leaving the wires on top of the carpet not only adds a trip hazard to the room, it also just looks bad.
Drilling holes in the floor and routing the home theater wiring into the basement and up again to a point close to the intended speaker location can keep the upstairs looking good. Understand, there is no need for a hole by each speaker, a single hole through which all of the wires can be routed is sufficient. Another point, the further the speaker will be from the main unit, the larger gauge home theater wiring will need to be used.
While there is no electric power that will be running through home theater wiring, damage by staples or nails used to hold them in place should be avoided at all costs. Shorting the wires with a staple can cause the speaker to quit working as causing a nightmare in trying to figure out why.
