in-wall speaker wire?

radon

Hi,
I'm currently renovating a house I intend to live in. It's down to bare studs... perfect time to set up that wired surround-sound system but make it look wireless

What should I run through the walls for speaker wire? Your standard speaker wire isn't well-insulated, and isn't recommended... so what IS recommended? What wire have others run for speakers?

Thanks!
Don

220/221

I use speaker wire



Simple 16-2 works fine for me.

jerryh3

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/inwallrating.htm

Jim Port

Some systems use CAT5 cable to distribute to volume controls and then speaker wire from the control to the speakers.

Speedy Petey

Well what system are you using?

Not all are the same.


You CANNOT use "standard" speaker wire in wall. It MUST be in-wall rated.
Read this: http://www.audioholics.com/education...-cable-ratings

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

220/221

Or.....it will catch fire?

chris75

Nope worse, you wont get your Certificate of Occupancy...

radon

Yeah that's what I'm concerned about. So there's in-wall rated speaker wire?

Don't have a system yet - don't even have walls I'm okay with simple (ie 16-2 wire) but adding a "control" run like cat5 would be easy enough too, even if I don't end up using it. Is that worth while?

Speedy Petey

Sure, Cat 5 is cheap enough to take than chance that you'll need it.
Personally I would pick a system first then find out what to run.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Speedy Petey

Hey 220. I wouldn't expect any less of a reply from you.

The stuff I get is around $70/500' for 16/2. Cheap enough to do the right thing.
What do you use? Lamp zip cord?

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

chris75

Hahahahahahahahahaha......

220/221

It wasn't a reply numbnuts, it was a question.

What is the difference between zip cord, speaker wire and rated speaker wire? It is SPEAKER wire.

I say there is no difference. Teach me something.

Speedy Petey

Sorry bud, that's not my job. This is stuff you should know already, I shouldn't have to teach you.

That link I posted has some very good information.

Way back I used to have to run zip type cord for speakers because I didn't know any better and that's what I was told to do. That is until I questioned it like the tons of other things I questioned, and still do. Then I found out what was proper and correct for the application. I was pretty green back then.
Don't get me wrong, I'll admit that zip cord for speakers is not something that will likely burn a house down, but why bother doing it wrong when doing it right is just as easy.

For a while now I have realized that there is a VERY little difference in doing the right thing and not doing the right thing. This speaker wire situation is a perfect example. The cost and effort difference between doing the right thing and not is negligible, ESPECIALLY if you are doing this for a living.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

220/221

So...you're sayin you don't know?

It is my nature to ALWAYS ask why, to question authority if you will. If I can't figure out why, I will ask someone. If no one knows I just use my best judgement whether or not to accept the fact.

gfchew

Hah! I just did the same thing.

I used CL3-rated 16 awg wire for my in-ceiling speakers. For my towers, I used CL3-rated speaker wire. You need CL3-rated wire for in-wall installations.

From my research most people couldn't tell the difference between the gauge.

CAT-5 is okay for control or if you have IP-speakers which are really expensive, but I wouldn't run your signal over the CAT-5.