About Dave Hathaway Expertise Questions about any aspect of Home Theater Systems including video-- TV and projectors, projection screens, High Definition Television ,audio/video receivers, DVD, speakers and placement, wiring, Satellite TV systems. Familiar with all these areas from the operating priciples, system design and installation viewpoints.
Experience Electronics engineer with 30 years experience, own a small Home Theater Business and do custom installs of Home Theater, Dish Network Satellite, Surround Sound systems, TV antennas, plus commerial and industrial satellite and TV distribution systems.
Question My new home is under construction and has recently been wired for surround sound in the great room. I've also had wiring run for 2 stereo speakers to the back porch. What I've noticed for the 2 rear surround sound speakers is that it looks like only 1 wire will leave from the main base and go to one rear speaker and another wire will leave from that speaker to connect to the other rear speaker. I just assumed each rear speaker would have its own seperate wire from the base.-----The back porch stereo speakers are wired the same way. One wire will go from receiver to first speaker and another wire from that speaker to second speaker. Again, I thought it would need to be seperate wire run from receiver to each speaker to get true "stereo sound". Is this correct?
Answer Hi Jeff,
It is clear from your description that the people doing your wiring are not familiar with Dolby 5.1 surround sound system wiring. It definately takes two runs of wire (2 conductors per run) to connect the rear left/right speakers. The same is true for the outdoor speakers. I recommend AWG#14 stranded cable for this application. The center, left/right fronts and the rears can all use the this cable. It is possible to use AWG#16 cable if the runs are short.
The outdoor speakers should have the same AWG#14 cable run from the amp location to each of the outdoor speaker locations. I also recommend that a volume control for the outdoor speakers be installed near an outside door way so that you can adjust those speakers independent of the amp. Just run the two speaker cables to a wall box, then from the box to each speaker location. A stereo volume control goes in the box.
Another thing I always recommend is that you use a separate amp for the outdoor speakers. There are lower cost stereo amps available for this application that will provide an independent FM/AM tuner and permit dual use of a CD player (and other units) on both systems. For example, if the inside surround system is in use for viewing a movie, you can play the common CD player outdoors at the same time using a second amp. You can also listen to the TV audio (like for a football game) outdoors, etc. The CD player, satellite receiver, cable box, etc. can be connected to the inputs of both amps and still work just fine.
Another speaker you will want to prewire is the sub-woofer. If you are not planning to put it close to the amp and other equipment, you will need a signal feed cable (usually a run of RG-6 or RG-59 coaxial cable) should be run from the amp locaiton to the sub location. Just terminate it in a wall box. Also have an electrical outlet nearby for the sub.
Other wiring such as for the cable or satellite should also be wired during construction. Have them put two runs of RG-6 to each location where you will have a TV. One is for cable/satellite service , the other for a local TV antenna (for future local digital high-definition TV signals). If using satellite, be sure a phone outlet is near each planned location. If a single story, have them terminate the coaxial cable in the attic hear the garage. Many builders wire this stuff through the the brick near the electrical service entrance. The cable (or satellite) people can pick it up in the attic and make their connections there--out of the weather.
It is also possible to feed audio to other rooms in the house by prewiring and installing speakers as you want to.
Again, the installer must know what he is doing.
Sounds like the builder had his electrical contractor do the wiring. Better look at the wires closely to ensure they are not just bell cable. If not the proper cable, have them replaced before the sheetrock goes on!!!
Hope this gives you food for thought. If so, and you have more questions, just come back in with a follow up.
