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Running Speaker Wire In Home

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  • Aug 28th, 2017 3:28 pm
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Aug 27th, 2017 10:44 pm
sickcars [OP]
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Aug 27th, 2017 10:44 pm

Running Speaker Wire In Home

Hello All,

Going to be running some cables in a new build home and was asked to run some speaker wire for possible surround sound speakers in the future. I have a few questions which hopefully you can answer,

1) What gauge speak wire? 18/16/14/12 Gauge?

2) What sort of wall plate would I connect the wire to? I'm thinking this is what I want? https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.spea ... 24151.html

3) Any other suggestions/tips?

4) Suggestions on what cable or a type to look out for? I don't want anything cheap that may give me issues down the road, I rather pay a bit more and get quality now.

Thanks
9 replies
Aug 27th, 2017 10:58 pm
BuildingHomes
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Burlington, Ontario

Aug 27th, 2017 10:58 pm

16 or 14 should be fine.

Do you need a plate? If they are floor standing speakers then yes. If they are inwall or onwall then you do not need a plate.

Are you doing this during construction before the insulation?

Speaker cable is not complicated. Any flexible non-solid conductor cable should be fine. Usually the more flexible it is the easier it is to work with.
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Aug 27th, 2017 11:05 pm
sickcars [OP]
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Aug 27th, 2017 11:05 pm

Speaker wont be in wall so yes I will install some wall plates.

Yes, this will be before insulation. I'm also running Cat6 & HDMI cables.

Thanks
BuildingHomes wrote: ↑ 16 or 14 should be fine.

Do you need a plate? If they are floor standing speakers then yes. If they are inwall or onwall then you do not need a plate.

Are you doing this during construction before the insulation?

Speaker cable is not complicated. Any flexible non-solid conductor cable should be fine. Usually the more flexible it is the easier it is to work with.
Aug 27th, 2017 11:40 pm
JEDI Force
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Aug 27th, 2017 11:40 pm

1) It depends of the distance. There are charts on the web that will show you the maximum distance for each gauge based on the speaker impedance (example: http://www.audioholics.com/audio-video- ... able-gauge). If you are not sure, you better get a smaller gauge, it can't hurt and price is not that different.

2) That type of plate is good. Monoprice has many models (a single plate can connect to more than 1 wire, great for the plate next to your A/V Receiver) and better prices (but you will have to wait before it gets here).

3) Do it right the first time and never worry again in the future :-)

4) Make sure your cable is CL2. It is about the same price and complies with fire safety and insurance requirements since it will be used inside walls.
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Aug 28th, 2017 1:49 am
Jerico
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Paris

Aug 28th, 2017 1:49 am

JEDI Force wrote: ↑
4) Make sure your cable is CL2. It is about the same price and complies with fire safety and insurance requirements since it will be used inside walls.
It didnt cost a lot more for the in-wall speaker wire and I found it easier to run than normal speaker wire would have been. If you are fishing, use a wire fish and a dollar store glow stick taped to the end to find it easier.
Aug 28th, 2017 8:25 am
sickcars [OP]
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Aug 28th, 2017 8:25 am

Thanks lots of good info there. I was thinking 12 or 14 Gauge wire which seem to be a good choice. The distance would not be to far so it should be good.

Thanks
JEDI Force wrote: ↑ 1) It depends of the distance. There are charts on the web that will show you the maximum distance for each gauge based on the speaker impedance (example: http://www.audioholics.com/audio-video- ... able-gauge). If you are not sure, you better get a smaller gauge, it can't hurt and price is not that different.

2) That type of plate is good. Monoprice has many models (a single plate can connect to more than 1 wire, great for the plate next to your A/V Receiver) and better prices (but you will have to wait before it gets here).

3) Do it right the first time and never worry again in the future :-)

4) Make sure your cable is CL2. It is about the same price and complies with fire safety and insurance requirements since it will be used inside walls.
Aug 28th, 2017 8:25 am
sickcars [OP]
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Aug 28th, 2017 8:25 am

Walls are all currently open so it will be super easy to run all these wires.


Jerico wrote: ↑ It didnt cost a lot more for the in-wall speaker wire and I found it easier to run than normal speaker wire would have been. If you are fishing, use a wire fish and a dollar store glow stick taped to the end to find it easier.
Aug 28th, 2017 9:25 am
jacquesstrap
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Aug 28th, 2017 9:25 am

I just did this in our basement prior to sprayfoaming the exterior walls. I used 14 gauge CL2 (in wall rated) wire. I also ran 1/2'' EMT "smurf" flexible conduit (blue stuff from home depot) to future proof and allow me to pull new cable in the future.

I used binding posts like the one you linked, but used keystone inserts and put them into a wall plate, along with other stuff (RG6, CAT6)

I just grabbed my speaker wire in bulk from Home Depot. I'm sure you could get a better price if you shop around or go with an online home theatre retailer, but I haven't had any issues.
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Aug 28th, 2017 1:56 pm
BuildingHomes
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Aug 28th, 2017 1:56 pm

sickcars wrote: ↑ Walls are all currently open so it will be super easy to run all these wires.
Is this a production home or a custom home?
Do you have permission from the builder to run this during construction?
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Aug 28th, 2017 3:28 pm
sickcars [OP]
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Aug 28th, 2017 3:28 pm

Custom home - My friend is the contractor. I can do whatever I want in the house.
BuildingHomes wrote: ↑ Is this a production home or a custom home?
Do you have permission from the builder to run this during construction?
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