How to Install In-Wall Speaker Wire
Speaker wire can clutter a home theater and, if wires are run along the floor, may present a hazardous obstacle. A better, cleaner solution is to hide speaker wire behind the wall, running each end to an opening with a tool called a fish tape. The wires emerge from one end of the wall to connect with a receiver and from another section of wall to attach to a speaker. Basic safety precautions and an electric drill help the project go smoothly.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Fish tape
- Cordless electric drill with drill bits
- Speaker wire
- Wall plates for speakers, available at audio stores
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Switch off the electricity at the circuit breaker in the room where wires will be installed in the wall.
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2
Measure the distance along the wall between the location of the receiver and the speaker to determine the length of wire that will be needed. Mark the points with a pencil where the wire will go into and emerge from the wall.
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3
Drill a half-inch hole in the wall at each pencil mark.
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4
Insert the end of the fish tape into one of the holes and slowly extend the tape into the wall, toward the second hole until the fish tape is visible inside the second hole.
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5
Insert the end of a piece of speaker wire through the loop in the fish tape and tie it with an overhand knot.
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6
Pull the fish tape with the secured speaker wire back to the first hole and remove the fish tape from the wall, carrying the speaker wire with it.
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7
Insert the wire through the center hole in a plastic or metal faceplate designed for speaker installations, then attach the faceplate to the wall with two screws.
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8
Tape the wire to the faceplate to hold it securely until ready to attach the wire to a receiver or speaker. That way, the wire cannot fall back into the wall.
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Tips & Warnings
Use two fish tapes from opposite ends of the wall to speed up the installation. The hook on one tape can be used to grab the hook on the other for pulling it faster to the hole.
Do not switch on the electricity until the fish tape has been removed and the speaker wire installed.
