How to Wire a House With Speakers

Having speakers inside your house can be relaxing.

An effective home audio system includes several speakers placed in strategic locations to get the best acoustic configuration inside your home. Audio signal is supplied by an amplifier or audio component system, which typically determines the number of speakers you can install. Installing speakers inside various rooms and areas of your house can add to your relaxation and enjoyment. Know how to install speakers and save yourself some cash.

Things You'll Need

• Wire stripper
• Speaker wire
• Speakers
• Measuring tape
• Staple gun
• Screwdrivers
• Speaker mounting brackets
• Jigsaw

Instructions

1. Check the back of your amplifier or stereo unit and count the number of speaker connectors or terminals where each pair of speaker wires will be attached. Located at the rear of audio equipment, speaker connectors typically come in pairs (red for positive and black for negative) and are made of clips that snap-on to speaker wires. The number of paired terminals will determine how many speakers can be connected to your audio system.

2. Go around your house and determine the exact locations where you want to place each speaker. You can concentrate all your speakers in one room to produce a theater-like effect, or you can put single speakers in several areas around your house to distribute music. There are probably dozens of locations where you can place your speakers, but your final decisions would lie on your personal preference.

3. Determine the route that each speaker wire will take from the spot where you will locate the stereo or amplifier unit up to the exact spot where you will mount each speaker. Try to run the wires along the shortest but easiest routes that will produce the least visibility.

4. Measure the length of speaker wire needed by running the measuring tape along the routes of each individual wire and then add around 3 feet to each line to allow for some slack. Use gauge 16 speaker wire if the distance is less than 80 feet, gauge 14 if the distance is 80 to 200 feet, and gauge 12 if the distance is more than 200 feet.

5. Mount the speakers on their corresponding locations by using speaker mounting brackets or by cutting holes in the ceiling panels. Mounting brackets are typically U-shaped metal brackets that are fastened to walls or ceilings by means of screws. Hold the bracket against the wall or ceiling and mark the screw holes using a pencil. Drill the holes and fasten the bracket with its mounting screws. For ceiling mounting, remove the speaker cover, hold the speaker against the ceiling panel, and then draw its outline using a pencil. Cut along the outline using a jigsaw and attach the speaker to the panel by placing it on top of the hole and fastening it with its holding screws. Make sure that the speakers are tightly fastened in order to avoid any unwanted sound produced by a vibrating bracket.

6. Strip off about 1/2-inch of the wire insulation, or cover, from both ends of each wire using a wire stripper. Hook the speaker wires to the terminals on the back of the speaker box, but be careful to observe the polarity (+ or -) of the connections. Red wires are positive and black or white wires are negative.

7. Fasten the wires at various points along the planned route using a staple gun, but be careful not to accidentally cut the speaker wires. Connect each speaker wire to its corresponding slot at the back of the stereo or amplifier. Turn on your stereo and check each speaker for sound. Inspect and reconnect the speaker wire in case there is no sound coming from any speaker.

References

• Practical Home Theater Guide: Required Wire length & Speaker Connection Basics
• Crutchfield: Speaker Wire: Choosing and Installing