So I'm planning the pre-wiring for my 7.1 HTS. I'm not sure if I want a centralized setup, or a full-room setup. The room is 12'-8" x 19'-0". The wall is about 5' tall, then transitions to a angle ceiling, then to a level ceiling (denoted by dashed line), then back down. The HTS/TV will be on the left wall, where the cable (C) and electrical outlet (E) are located. The TV + HT stand will likely be 5', so up to the angled ceiling. There will also be a ceiling fan/light centered on ceiling (OFL). The primary use will be TV, so I'm inclined to go for a centralized setup; as opposed to a primary use of music, in which case I think a full-room setup would be better.

1) Center speaker: Place on HT stand, below TV, or mount above TV on angled ceiling?
2) Front Speakers: Mount on wall beside TV, on angled ceiling above TV (same elevation as center), or in front two corners of room (left corners in drawing)?
3) Mid Speakers: Can be used as either mid or second front speakers. Mount on angled ceiling above TV (same elevation as center; primary fronts on wall), front two corners, or back two corners?
4) Rear Speakers: On back wall (right wall in drawing), on back angled ceiling, or back two corners?



[Edited on February 19, 2012 at 12:49 PM. Reason : .]

2/19/2012 12:47:28 PM

Unless they have swiveling brackets, absolutely do not mount them to the angled portions of ceiling.

Center goes below the display.

Mids should hang from the ceiling, dead center of the room, one over the stairs, other over the indow.

2/19/2012 12:54:46 PM

no brackets. I don't get placing the mids on the ends of the room on the ceiling, unless I do a custom bracket to have them face the center of the room (otherwise, they'd face the floor). I could do the walls on either end of the room (above the window and door).

what about elevations for the front/rear on the front and back walls? match mid-point elevation of TV?


[Edited on February 19, 2012 at 1:01 PM. Reason : thanks, btw]

2/19/2012 12:58:42 PM

Yes, you'd need custom brackets for ceiling use. But they're the mid channels...they're supposed to be to your direct left and right, so yes, you could put them on the walls, I didn't think there was any room for that, looking at that picture.

Keep all channels at ear level when you are seated (to the extent possible). Common amateur mistake is mounting them high on the wall.

[Edited on February 19, 2012 at 1:17 PM. Reason : ]

2/19/2012 1:17:34 PM

ok thanks. there should be enough room above the door and window (mounting them horizontally); but I'll check next time I'm out there (I don't have elevation views). The front/rears will be at the mid-point elevation of the TV on the front and back walls.





[Edited on February 19, 2012 at 1:35 PM. Reason : .]

2/19/2012 1:20:33 PM

Should be cool. Good luck.

2/19/2012 3:02:11 PM

audussey ftw

2/21/2012 8:38:50 AM

what about it?

my receiver has the audussey setup, so it adjusts the receiver settings as needed.

[Edited on February 21, 2012 at 8:42 AM. Reason : .]

2/21/2012 8:41:50 AM

ttt

I'm hoping I can get the electrician for my house to do the install while the house is being built (depends on his price; his standard install is texa$ and more than I need). They won't let me do it during construction since I'm not an electrician (and I really don't want to this post-construction).

That being said, I may end up getting my own materials and paying just for the labor. Any suggestions on wall plates? Will need 1x6-speaker plate and 6x1 speaker plates. I was hoping to find some recessed spring clip plates, but I don't see any. I didn't want to go banana style since those stick out pretty far from the wall (thus, the speaker won't cover it).

And I'm guessing I'll have to get in-wall rated speaker wire as well...?

[Edited on March 18, 2012 at 9:49 PM. Reason : .]

3/18/2012 9:40:09 PM

Why not mount the speakers on a bracket since you had funny angles ceilings anyway? Then use bananna plugs.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082804&p_id=6839&seq=1&format=2

And buy 12AWG speaker cable for your runs.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2789&seq=1&format=2

[Edited on March 18, 2012 at 10:35 PM. Reason : ]

3/18/2012 10:33:20 PM

I'm not mounting on the angled ceiling. I don't want to spend money on brackets I don't really need, and those wouldn't work anyways.

I already have speaker wire, but it's not in-wall rated, which I'm guessing the electrician will require.

3/19/2012 1:32:16 PM

you only need 2 of them since you only have 2 ears and your head has to face the fucking screen. the rest of the speakers can go up your ass.

3/20/2012 6:01:48 AM

Consider yourself officially called out you faggot

you think you're tough? Then come say the shit you said about me and my friends on TWW to our faces

Can't wait to see your bitch ass crying when you get taken out

3/20/2012 8:46:51 AM

So what speakers did you get for your rears? The back plug location may allow for something like this if you want it completely hidden.

The wires would tuck down the hole when the speakers are mounted to the wall over the plate. Ive never done this but dont see why it wouldnt work. This might not work if your surrounds are small or the back is tapered.

I guess you could just have a hole big enough for the cable to pass through (3/8") that any speaker would definately hide. Plus its cheap.


[Edited on March 20, 2012 at 9:48 AM. Reason : ]

3/20/2012 9:46:36 AM

I didn't get new equipment. I have an onkyo system and the speakers are pretty small. That recessed opening would work (pretty sure); however, I was hoping to not use that kind as I prefer an actual wall connection.

3/20/2012 10:34:46 AM

BTTT


Cost/Labor Question:

I'd rather have this wired while my house is still under construction; however, this requires paying the contractor/electrician, which just adds a lot of cost.

I priced materials for around $200 on the top end. The contractor said for him to do it would be $400-$600, depending on the electrician's cost, materials, etc. (I didn't tell him specifics, just the general idea). Any idea what it would cost to repair walls if I were to do this install after the house is finished? I've never done in-wall wire runs and this will be complicated by the walls being insulated. How difficult would this be to do? Worth just shelling out money now to have it done properly?

7/5/2012 10:06:59 AM

Just pay it.


The issue is going to come when you have to cable though a stud. Unless you have access above or below to run the wire around the construction this will make it a very extensive DIY project.

On a side note. If you are a big DIY person, go around the house before the drywall is up but after the wiring/plumbing is in and take photos of all the walls so you know where everything is.

7/5/2012 10:22:36 AM

^thanks. I figure it would be easier just to pay... that's a lot of studs to get through

Thanks for the tip, I didn't think about taking pictures of all that (was taking pictures in general, but it is a good idea to concentrate on that).

7/5/2012 10:28:28 AM

We took a lot just to have a record of what it looked like though the stages. And then last weekend we were mounting some stuff to the walls in a few rooms and it was a light bulb moment that we had all that information to just pull up and go "okay, the wires are there, plumbings here, that walls got a double stud there, etc"

7/5/2012 10:57:29 AM