| of this article, need to know this disclaimer. Some of | | | | stud finder horizontally marking your studs and then |
| the practices you encounter in this article pose some | | | | vertically, marking your studs. You will find a stud |
| risk. Be careful when crawling in an attic or crawl | | | | near the bottom at floor level and you will find a stud |
| space with sharp tools. Be wary of any spiders, | | | | at the top of the wall. |
| rodents or any other creatures that may be lurking in | | | | Speakers should be mounted just above ear level |
| these spaces. If there is any question of safety, then | | | | when sitting down. Mark this vertical position with |
| call a professional and let them do the work for you. | | | | your pencil. Speakers should also be mounted in a |
| There is always risk when working with tools | | | | standard surround sound configuration. Please see my |
| especially if you are unfamiliar with their dangers. | | | | article on surround sound speaker placement for this |
| You have your new surround sound system and | | | | information. |
| have the cables ran across the floor and now have | | | | Now you are ready to start running the cable. |
| thrown bits of carpet across the wires so you do | | | | Wire Fishing Prep |
| not trip over them, or perhaps you have run the | | | | To prepare for your cable runs take your drywall |
| cables along your baseboard and either stuffed it | | | | saw and cut open a section of drywall about 1 ½ |
| underneath the edge or stapled it across the | | | | to 2 inches square. |
| baseboard. Now you wish you hadn't and want a | | | | Check visually or place your finger into your cutout |
| Professional installation. You can do the | | | | to check to see if you have insulation. If it is an inside |
| professional installation yourself with a few tips. | | | | wall you may or may not have insulation in the walls, |
| One of the most complicated parts and most labor | | | | if it is an outside wall you will have insulation (if you |
| intensive parts to installing a surround sound system | | | | don't you really need to). |
| is running cables from the speaker placements to the | | | | Take your Extended flex bit and drill and carefully |
| surround sound amplifier. With some tips presented | | | | guide it up or down, depending on where you are |
| on this article, perhaps this will become a little easier. | | | | going to run your wires to. Try to target the center |
| Know why a professional charges so much for the | | | | of the stud, this is difficult at best, but after a couple |
| installation, it is hard work. It is not nice to crawl in an | | | | of trials, you will start to get the hang of it. Drill |
| attic or basement or any crawl space. You will get | | | | slowly at first until you establish a guide hole, also |
| dirty and sweaty and wish that you had paid | | | | you want to make sure that you do not drill through |
| someone at times. In the end, though it is satisfying | | | | anything else other than the stud. Try to catch any |
| and does save quite a bit of money. | | | | misguided drilling early. Once you are sure you are on |
| The first thing you should do is to find where you | | | | center stud and not drilling back through the drywall |
| want to place your speakers. There is no sense to | | | | or the other side of the wall, you can increase the |
| running any cable without knowing exactly where | | | | speed of the drill until you are through the stud. If |
| you want the end point to be. Please see my article | | | | there are other horizontal studs, continue drilling until |
| on surround sound speaker placement. Wire for the | | | | you have gone through them all. |
| future, you may be installing wiring for a 5.1 surround | | | | Once you have drilled through all of the studs and |
| sound, but what happens when you upgrade to a 6.1 | | | | the drill bit is sticking through the attic or basement, |
| or a 7.1 surround sound. Since you only want to do | | | | STOP. Do not pull the bit back out. Now it is time to |
| this chore once, make sure that you do it all and do | | | | get a length of pull string, be generous. If you have a |
| not have to do it again down the road. Make sure | | | | 6 foot drop, do not measure off 7 feet, measure 10 |
| and double check your speaker placement, same rule | | | | or 12 feet so that you have plenty to work with. |
| as measure twice and cut once. You want to be | | | | Make sure that a second person is available now. |
| absolutely sure that you do this once and once only | | | | Make a trip to the attic, basement or crawl space. |
| and not do double work, nothing is more frustrating. | | | | Bring along some supplies. You'll need your flashlight, |
| The next step is to determine the best route for | | | | electrical tape, pull string and pliers. Navigate your |
| your run. For this you need to know your home, | | | | way carefully in the attic, basement and crawl |
| become familiar with your home and all of the crawl | | | | spaces, be especially cautious for any creatures that |
| spaces, attic spaces. Know what types of walls you | | | | may live in these spaces; spiders, rodents, centipedes |
| have and the insulation inside those walls, also make | | | | are just a short list of what you might encounter. |
| sure you know where your studs placed. Determine | | | | Try not to disturb them and they will not disturb you. |
| which route out of the ones you have available will | | | | Remember that this is an exercise in running cable |
| be the easiest to work with. Knowing all the options | | | | not an extermination exercise. |
| that you have to run the cable will always make this | | | | Find the tip of the drill bit, making sure that you do |
| task easier. | | | | not stab yourself with the sharp tip. There is usually |
| Gather your tools | | | | a center hole in most Extended Flex Bits, carefully |
| Make sure that you have all of the tools that you | | | | thread your pull string into this center hole and make |
| may need to do the job. This can vary greatly from | | | | a small knot. Use your electrical tape and tape around |
| each cable run. Below is a list of commonly used | | | | the tip of the drill bit and over the pull string and |
| tools. | | | | knot. |
| Drill - I would suggest a cordless 18 volt fully charged | | | | Signal to your second person to pull the drill bit back |
| drill. Make sure it is fully charged. Nothing is more | | | | to themselves, they may have to rotate the drill bi |
| frustrating than a drill dieing before the work is | | | | to do so. Make sure there is plenty of clearance |
| complete. | | | | between the drill bit and yourself. **If you do not, |
| Drill Bits — Quite a variety of drill bits out there | | | | there is a risk of injury or death**. Be EXTRA |
| to do a variety of jobs. Make sure that the bit is long | | | | cautious. I cannot stress this enough, you do NOT |
| enough to do the job, but not too long. Here are the | | | | want a drill bit to go through your arm, leg, eye, etc. |
| most commonly used types. | | | | If you are now worried, then call a professional to do |
| Paddle — A wide bit used for cutting holes in | | | | this work or use wire raceway. |
| wood. The bit is flat squarish with a sharp tip tapering | | | | If you do inadvertently pull the bit back out, use a |
| to a point. | | | | Drop Chain from above or a Fish Tape from above |
| Auger Bit — has a screw tip followed by a | | | | or below and carefully fish the empty space. The rule |
| wider drill cutting edge. Used for cutting through | | | | of thumb is, if it is a non insulated wall, use a drop |
| wood. | | | | chain, if it is a insulated wall, use a fish tape. Fishing a |
| Twist drill — a standard drill bit useful for drilling | | | | wall with a Fish Tape is a bit more of an art than a |
| through wood. Not as wide as an auger bit or paddle | | | | science and does take considerable practice. A drop |
| bit, more useful for drilling smaller holes. | | | | chain however is simple enough, drop one end of the |
| Extended flex bit — A long twist drill bit with a | | | | chain down the hollow space and let gravity take |
| variety of tips. Make sure to have one with a center | | | | over, don't let go of the other end of the chain, |
| hole, useful for attaching a pull string. They come in a | | | | otherwise it will be lost. If the space is insulated, then |
| variety of lengths from 3 to 7 feet long. Perhaps the | | | | you have to use your Fish Tape. It is best to avoid |
| most important bit for this type of work, everyone | | | | this all if possible and leave the drill bit in the wall and |
| should have one. | | | | fish with it instead of using a fish tape. |
| Masonry bit — Useful for drilling through | | | | Once the second person has pulled out the drill bit |
| concrete or stone. | | | | and the pull string, secure the pull string into the attic |
| There are many other types of drill bits, make sure | | | | onto a cross beam with a secure knot. Have the |
| to choose the ones that will do the job for you. | | | | person assisting you secure the pull string on his end |
| Pull string — a variety of items can be used as | | | | as well, you do not want to accidentally pull out the |
| a pull string, make sure that the pull string is strong | | | | pull string and have to start over again. |
| enough to do the job. One of the most common | | | | Continue to repeat this until all of your pull strings are |
| types is a Polyolefin Pull Line, a strong pull string that | | | | in place. Do not forget that you need to drop all the |
| usually comes by the bucket. | | | | wires down to the surround sound unit itself. |
| Fish Tape — a steel ribbon or fiberglass | | | | Fishing your Cable |
| enclosed in a round encasing. Fish tape is used to | | | | If all goes well, you now have all of your pull strings |
| push up or down through a wall. They come in a | | | | in place and are ready to pull the wire into the attic, |
| variety of lengths. | | | | basement or crawl space. Attach one reel of speaker |
| Drop chain — a length of chain, usually a | | | | cable to each of the pull strings. Take the speaker |
| hanging plant chain. Useful for dropping down drywall. | | | | wire and loop it back onto itself, secure the loop with |
| Drywall Saw — a short saw useful for cutting | | | | electrical tape. Mark each cable with a permanent |
| drywall. | | | | marker as to it's location so there is no guessing, |
| Pair of pliers — Needle nose pliers for grabbing | | | | mark it in several places. Take the pull string and tie a |
| things you just can't reach. | | | | knot through the speaker wire loop you just made, |
| Electrical Tape — For taping the wire to pull | | | | making two loops. Secure both loops by wrapping |
| string or to fish tape or drip chain. | | | | electrical tape around both loops. Repeat this for all |
| Sonic Stud Finder — Since you can't look | | | | wire drops. |
| through walls, a stud finder will help you plot out | | | | Test each loop you have made by trying to pull |
| where the cable can be pulled and the potential | | | | them apart with some pressure. If it falls apart |
| obstacles that will get in your way. | | | | without too much pressure, you need to try a more |
| Pencil and good eraser — So you can mark | | | | secure loop. If it holds then you are ready to fish. |
| the studs and where you will be drilling. | | | | Have your assistant stay with the wire and pull string, |
| Inductive Amplifier — To check to see if there | | | | their job is to make sure all pulls will go smoothly and |
| will be potential interference along the way. | | | | not tangle or snag. Your job will be to climb again into |
| Flashlight — I prefer the type that can strap | | | | the crawl space, basement or attic. This should be |
| onto your head to keep your hands free. | | | | the last time. Bring your tools and wire fasteners with |
| Hammer — Used to secure various fasteners. | | | | you, you'll need your Flashlight, Electrical tape, pliers, |
| Screw Driver — Used to secure various | | | | hammer (if using nail in fasteners) or screwdriver (if |
| fasteners. | | | | you are using screw in wire fasteners). |
| Permanent Marker - To mark you cable with it's | | | | Route your cable out of the way, so if you have to |
| location. | | | | access the area again, you are not dealing with a |
| Level — For mounting your speakers | | | | spider web of wires. I suggest routing along cross |
| A second person — I know, not a tool. | | | | beams, attaching the wires to each beam you have. |
| However, a second person comes in very useful, you | | | | Of course this all easier said than done and it will take |
| can't be in two places at once. | | | | quite a while to route all of your cables. Pull all of the |
| Gather your supplies. | | | | cables to where your surround sound system will be. |
| Here is a quick list of supplies you need to gather for | | | | Take all of your cables and bind them together with |
| your cable. | | | | electrical tape, making sure that one of the cable |
| Proper Speaker cables — please refer to my | | | | runs is 6 inches longer than the others. The reason |
| article about speaker cables. Make sure that you | | | | for this is simple, you want to double over one cable |
| have enough cable. I would suggest having a reel of | | | | and not 6 or 7 cables, this make fishing downwards |
| cable for each run you perform. This saves an | | | | (or upwards) much easier. |
| incredible amount of time and effort. Be sure to have | | | | Loop the long speaker wire and attach it to itself. |
| a lot more cable than you need. The last thing you | | | | Tape it together. Take the pull string and tie a knot |
| want is to be a foot too short on your cable. | | | | through the speaker wire loop you just made, |
| Fasteners — Anything used to secure the | | | | making two loops. Secure both loops by wrapping |
| wire. Staples, wire loops, hooks etc. You do not want | | | | electrical tape around both loops. |
| your wire hanging down in large loops. | | | | Test each loop you have made by trying to pull |
| Drywall or wood screws — For attaching | | | | them apart with some pressure. If it falls apart |
| fasteners and for mounting speakers. | | | | without too much pressure, you need to try a more |
| Drywall Anchors — I prefer the Threaded | | | | secure loop. If it holds then you are ready to fish. |
| Drywall Anchors for their strength. | | | | Have your assistant pull the pull string and cable down |
| Survey the cable runs | | | | (or up) until they have the cable in their hands. |
| The single most important decision you will need to | | | | Wiring your Surround Sound |
| make is where you will route the cable. It is always | | | | The difficult work is now done, now it's just a matter |
| best to route your cable to an unfinished portion of | | | | of wiring your surround sound and mounting your |
| the house, unfinished attic, basement, crawl space, | | | | speakers. |
| underneath the house. Try to avoid tearing up the | | | | Untape your wire and route behind your surround |
| drywall or beams in your home, try to keep the | | | | sound system. Identify each cable (using the |
| cable as concealed as possible. If there is not a | | | | markings you made earlier) and separate out the |
| unfinished portion or any place you can crawl to, then | | | | wires. Identify which wire you are going to use for |
| skip to the wire raceway section. | | | | positive (red) and negative (black). Cut approximately |
| This means that you measure the length of cable | | | | ½ inch from the end to remove the insulation so |
| you need as well as crawl in the attic or basement or | | | | that it is bare copper. Twist the strands of copper |
| any other crawl space that you need to. Make sure | | | | together so that it forms a tight ribbon of cable. |
| to survey the entire run of the cable so that there | | | | Install each copper wire in its correct connector.. Do |
| are no surprises. Check for pipes, electrical cables, | | | | the same for your speakers. |
| lights, you do not want to route too close to any of | | | | Mounting your speakers |
| these items. Pipes (hot water) can damage your | | | | Thankfully, most speakers these days are light |
| cable. Electrical cables, light can place a hum or buzz | | | | weight and can hand directly from the drywall. Use |
| on the wire (since a wire acts as an antenna). Be | | | | Threaded drywall anchors and screws if you have |
| sure to never run a speaker cable side by side with | | | | drywall. If your speakers are heavier then you may |
| an electrical cable, keep a foot or more distance. If | | | | have to use mollies (expansion bolt) or toggle bolts |
| you have to cross across an electrical cable, that is | | | | to mount your speakers. Use a level. |
| fine, keep at least 2 foot distance from florescence | | | | UnRoutable Cables Wire Raceway |
| lights. Keep 1 foot distance from lights. Route your | | | | Of course there are always times that you are not |
| cable so that is out of the way, following the cross | | | | able to access above or below the room you want |
| beams. If you want to do some preliminary work | | | | to wire. However hope is not lost. You can still have |
| then hang wire fasteners along the route you want | | | | a professional looking installation, you will just have to |
| to take. This will make the wire installation go much | | | | pay a bit more. |
| easier. | | | | Wire Raceway is a product sold in many hardware |
| It is always best to route your cable to an unfinished | | | | stores, it is often found in electrical supplies. It's a |
| portion of the house, unfinished attic, basement, | | | | cable management system that is easy to install, |
| crawl space, underneath the house. If there is not a | | | | usually peel and stick. They make straight raceways |
| unfinished portion or any place you can crawl to, then | | | | and angled raceways and couplers. |
| skip to the wire raceway section. | | | | Before buying wire raceway plan your route and |
| Make sure you have enough length of cable to do | | | | measure the length of raceway you need. If you |
| the job. Please see my article about Speaker cables | | | | have to make turns on the same wall, you need a 90 |
| to help you choose which cable will be best for you. | | | | connector. If you have to join 2 pieces of wire |
| Since most speaker cables come on reels, I would | | | | raceway, then you need a coupler. If you need to |
| suggest get a separate reel for each cable you want | | | | join 2 pieces on adjacent walls you need an elbow. |
| to pull, this will make your experience so much easier. | | | | Make a list of the types of connectors and raceway |
| An inductive amplifier is used to pick up RF signals | | | | that you need before going to the hardware store. I |
| that your cable may inadvertently pick up. Speaker | | | | recommend using the plastic raceway, it is |
| cable can act as an antenna and when combined with | | | | considerably easier to mount. |
| an amplifier will play this RF (radio interference) over | | | | While at the hardware store, do not forget to buy a |
| your speakers. In the area you want to run the | | | | large level, this will help you with the installation. |
| cable, scan with the inductive amplifier to hear if you | | | | Installation of wire raceway installation is very easy |
| have any hum or noise. In an optimum area, there | | | | so I will only give a couple of tip to its installation. |
| should be no buzz or hum. | | | | 1)Always use a level to install raceway. |
| Since you do not know what is in your walls use a | | | | 2)Never place the raceway to the edge of a wall, |
| sonic stud finder and scan the wall from the speaker | | | | allow at least ¼ inch so that you may snap on the |
| placement to either the top of the wall or to the | | | | front cover. |
| floor.. Mark any studs that are in the way with a light | | | | 3)Plan your route before sticking the wire raceway |
| pencil mark. Given the standard spacing using to | | | | 4)To secure raceway with more than the double |
| frame most houses, expect to find most studs 16 or | | | | stick adhesive on the back, drill a screw through the |
| 24 inches from center. Scan the walls with your sonic | | | | raceway. |