Choosing to install your own in wall speakers or in ceiling speakers is a great way to obtain a performance audio system without compromising the look and feel of your living space. In the following guide we shall be providing all the information you need to consider installing your own in wall speakers or ceiling speakers. It contains a rundown of tools required for the job and the kind of skills you will need to take on the project yourself.
Planning and preparation
Planning and preparation is the key to a successful install.
It’s easy to get carried away and want to dive into the practical side of fitting your system as quickly as possible, but a well thought out preparation will allow you to foresee any potential pitfalls and avoid them before you end up with unwanted holes in your walls and ceiling. It makes sense to begin your planning before you purchase your speakers where possible, as this will allow you to make sure that the speaker you choose is compatible with the locations you wish to install them in.
Speaker placement
The essential part of your preparation will be determining the placement of your system. Whole-House Ceiling Speaker In most cases this means finding a balance between ultimate performance and visual discretion. This balance will be different for each individual install, as it will depend on your room and your personal taste, but there are also audio considerations to take into account.
For stereo speakers to be effective they really need to be spaced equally from your listening position, and the same applies to surround speakers, whereas subwoofers can be placed almost anywhere in the room, as the bass frequencies they reproduce are Omni-directional
In Wall Speakers need to be mounted in internal walls, as outside walls are generally brick or stone and therefore it’s not feasible to mount a speaker inside them. On wall speakers can be mounted on external walls if necessary using wall anchors and brackets.
Once you have decided where you wish to place your speakers you need to investigate the structure of the wall you propose to mount the speaker on or inside. You will need to utilise a stud finder to locate where the studs or battens are in the wall, as in-wall speakers or in ceiling will need to be mounted in between two studs.
Wiring
When it comes to running wiring for your system you can either choose to run out-of- wall wiring, or you can utilise in-wall wiring. Out of wall wiring is the simpler option, as your speaker cables are run along the surface of the walls, and can be hidden by furniture or carpets, and held in place by small clips. In-wall wiring requires a bit more preparation work as you will be required to route your cabling inside your walls, behind the plasterboard and through the supporting studs.
What you’ll need
In terms of tools, you will need a stud finder, for locating wall studs, AC power cables and pipes behind your wall. You’ll need a drill and the appropriate drill bits specific to your speaker housing, and you will also need a drywall saw, a spirit level and wire strippers.
As for skills, you would need to be comfortable with cutting into drywall and patching up any visible holes or exploratory cavities. This guide will cover the basics, such as trying to locate studs or ceiling joists, but if you aren’t comfortable taking this on then an approved installer may be the way to go for you.