How to Install Surround Sound in an Older Home

Older homes, with plaster walls and, occasionally, wall detailing such as dados or bas reliefs, shouldn't keep you from installing surround sound for your media player or computer. In newer homes, speakers are mounted directly into the walls by means of cutouts, or hung on screws drilled into the walls. However, to preserve the walls and detailing in an older home, a slightly different approach to installing surround sound should be used.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surround speakers, subwoofer and speaker stands
• Felt feet for the speaker stands
• Connector cables
• Owner's manual for speakers

1. 
    
   Felt feet help protect wood floors

   Place small felt feet on the bottoms of the speaker stands if they will stand on bare wood. This will keep your wood floors from getting scratched. If the stands will be placed on carpet, you don't need the felt feet.

2. Position the right and left speakers on either side of your TV or monitor about 4 feet from the TV, or 1 to 2 feet from the monitor. Use speaker stands to raise the speakers so that the center of the speakers is even with the center of the TV or monitor.

3. 
    
   Subwoofer

   Place the subwoofer at least 5 feet from the TV or monitor. It can stand on the floor, and does not need to be raised to be effective. Make sure that the vents are at least 6 inches from walls and other furnishings.

4. Place a speaker stand behind the TV or monitor, and raise it so that it is about 3 feet above the TV, or 1 foot above the monitor. Make sure it is in a place where it will not be knocked over by pets or guests; behind the TV or monitor is best. Put the center speaker on this stand.

5. Position the rear left and right speaker stands so that the centers of the speakers will be at the ear height of sitting viewers. Place these speakers and stands 1 to 2 feet farther apart than the speakers on either side of the TV or monitor.

6. Connect the subwoofer and the speakers to your media player or computer as directed in the owner's manual. Test the speaker set up. You may want to adjust the position of the rear speakers slightly to account for the shape of the room.

References

• http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-sound-buying-guide/
• http://www.timefordvd.com/tutorial/SurroundSound.shtml
• http://www.surroundassociates.com/fqmain.html