Where to hide the wire???
gracelj
Posts: 12
Okay, this is probably one of those green newbie questions, but... I used to run my speaker wires around the edges of the room, tucked under the carpet.
Then I ripped up the nasty icky pale blue carpet and replaced it with lovely oak laminate. I thought for sure I could run the wires around the edges before they put down the baseboard mouldings, but ... they said my MonsterCable was too fat and would impede the floor's expansion/contraction.
How hard is it to pull wire through the walls? I really don't want to deal with it, but my other options seem to be:
1. putting the speakers (vintage Monitor 7s) in a completely different configuration that is neither far enough apart nor facing the direction they should be, or
2. hiding the cable with those hollow wire-hiding channel thingies (forgive the technical term) that look, to me at least, almost as obvious as the cable itself.
Someone work a miracle for me!!!
thanks.
Then I ripped up the nasty icky pale blue carpet and replaced it with lovely oak laminate. I thought for sure I could run the wires around the edges before they put down the baseboard mouldings, but ... they said my MonsterCable was too fat and would impede the floor's expansion/contraction.
How hard is it to pull wire through the walls? I really don't want to deal with it, but my other options seem to be:
1. putting the speakers (vintage Monitor 7s) in a completely different configuration that is neither far enough apart nor facing the direction they should be, or
2. hiding the cable with those hollow wire-hiding channel thingies (forgive the technical term) that look, to me at least, almost as obvious as the cable itself.
Someone work a miracle for me!!!
thanks.
Post edited by gracelj on
Comments
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Be proud of your speaker wire, show it off.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Ok Dan :rolleyes:Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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No speaker wire to be proud of, eh Russ? :rolleyes:Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
You can cut a slot in the back of the base board wood to allow the wires to fit. Looking at wires sucks. They don't contribute to the hearing experience and the women will think you have taste and may let you buy more equipment.
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Originally posted by gracelj
How hard is it to pull wire through the walls? I really don't want to deal with it, but my other options seem to be:
i like the idea of making a channel in the back of the base molding. that would probably be the easiest route short of wire mold or flat speaker wire. you could also remove the base and make the channel in the drywall behind it.
for pulling wires,.. it depends on whether it's an exterior wall or if it has plumbing or mechanicals in it and how good you are with a drill, drywall and joint compound.
exterior walls will have insulation and walls with plumbing or mechanicals will have,well, plumbing or mechanicals in the way. if this is the case, go straight to option 2.
if you're good to go after those questions are answered you can get a long flexible drill bit (home depot house wiring section) that will allow you to bend the bit into the wall opening and drill through several studs and only make holes in the drywall where you enter and exit the wall. the bit will have a hole at the cutting end that will allow you to pull the wires back through the holes as you remove it. you can get extension bits if the run is longer than the bit. there is skill and feel involved here, if the bit goes off course it comes out of the wall somewhere unexpected. for this route you'll also need to be able to check if there are wires in the wall too. you might be able to avoid wires by staying above outlet height but this is not a sure thing.
if you're unsure of what's in the walls or if this is too hairy for you (it can be even for folks who know what's going on inside of walls and already have a good feel for the tools required), then just cut one long stip of drywall from one end of the run to the other. then drill through each stud. it will be easier to finish in the long run than trying to make and repair a bunch of small holes.
you will need wire rated for in-wall use too.
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Wow.
Thank you for all the details on drilling through the walls. You have unequivocally convinced me that I don't want to go that route!
It is an outside wall, though since I live in Southern California, I'm not convinced there's any insulation there.
And - since I live in SoCal, we have textured walls, so cutting the drywall is a REALLY bad idea 'cause it's impossible to match the texture when you patch it back again.
I like the baseboards idea. Of course, I'm also starting to like the idea of mounting the speakers where I don't have to deal with any of this. -
I have a similar problem. My better half DOES NOT like the look of high quality wire:rolleyes:
Bike zappa has the ticket. The put them on stands. Route the wire to where you want to placement, and hide it in some DIY stands. Best of both worlds... -
Originally posted by scottnbnj
you will need wire rated for in-wall use too.
What exactly is different with wire rated for "in-wall" use? Is there some property about being in the wall ratehr than in front of it that should be looked at here?If you will it, dude, it is no dream. -
Use "stick-on" panduit. It comes in ivory, white, black, gray; and when run just above and flush with your baseboard, it looks like part of the baseboard. It is adhesive backed, and boy does it stick, so be sure you've got it placed where you want it.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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If you go with in-wall wiring, use plastic tubes designed to hold wiring. Much cleaner and safer setup.
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IMHO you must make your women happy for you to be happy.
Happy women don't see speaker wires.
Happy women don't see equipment.
Happy women will listen to the music.
Happy women will allow you and maybe encourage you to buy better equipment.
Happy women make men happy men.
**** simple. -
**** Amen!!!
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If you can get the women intersted in the music you win....
Women can't get past the ugly wires and equipment.
Hide that **** and women will listen and may even like the experience.
My Honey now makes critical comments about the sound. Can you fix that she asks, yes but we may need a "nsgdf36edv". How much? Well get it she says.
Once she is one your side the gates will open, in many ways.
Try it, you'll like it. Its like Judo, go with the flow.
Have a blast. -
Originally posted by bobman1235
What exactly is different with wire rated for "in-wall" use? Is there some property about being in the wall ratehr than in front of it that should be looked at here?
i really don't know, it probably has to do with the strength and durability of the jacket (probably how it holds up to cycles of heat, cold, moisture, mold, nails, splinters, bending, twisting, shear/tensile loads and other in-wall hazards), building codes, building inspectors, selling your house and, should anything go wrong, liability.
your code enforcement official (building and/or electrical inspector) will be happy and is paid to explain in depth. your insurance agent and/or title company would probably have something to say too if they found out you did it wrong after a catastrophic failure.
i know lots of high end companies offer this wire, but i can't think of any off hand for sure other than radioshack.
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Originally posted by gracelj
I like the baseboards idea. Of course, I'm also starting to like the idea of mounting the speakers where I don't have to deal with any of this.
along the same lines of the baseboard, you would be able to do the same thing by installing new built up chair rail.
it may be easier to install that than pry off the base molding now that the new floor might make it difficult to pull straight off of the wall.
if you do the base molding, it might help if you first set the nails nearly all the way through the board with a long thin nailset. there are a few more things that might make it easier if you're not familiar with this stuff.
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The wire rated for in-wall use has a fire code rating. I like my wires and dont worry about relegating them to the dark.
A Happy Man also makes for a happy Woman!!
Enjoy your system.
RT1 -
S&V magazine had a product called Wire Tracks in their New Products section. This seems to work for most people who cannot go through their walls.
Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support
group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.
-Drew Carey
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-Unknown
My DVD Collection -
Lots more great information - thanks to all. The speakers are temporarily mounted in the "wrong" place (i.e., not positioned for best stereo sound!), but I'm looking into the various options mentioned so I can get them where they should be.
Just as a point of interest, I AM the woman in this house.
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So you don't have to get YOUR WIFE's approval, I take it???:p
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Originally posted by gracelj
Just as a point of interest, I AM the woman in this house.
....ooopppssss.... Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
Are you on the main floor and is your basement finished? You could fish the wire to the basement and run it to the other side of the room.
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:eek: :eek: :eek:
The Zen question of the day is......
What is the sound of many men placing their collective feet in their mouths?
How about using Paintable Flat Wire? There are a variety of ways to install it. On the wall, back-side of the baseboards, overhead, behind some crown moulding, etc. -
ROFLMAO!!!
How many times have I told you guys NOT to make the assumption that only men are on this board and only men are interested in audio!!!!
I believe you owe the lady an apology gentlemen! LOL;)Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
Honestly, ... GUYS ... , no apology necessary. Actually, I've been highly amused, especially since anyone looking at the ID on this (I mean ... gracelj???) shoulda noticed something was up!
So, anyhoo, it's just me an' the cats, who don't really care what I do with wires (they aren't, thankfully, the chewing sort).
Basement? Did someone say BASEMENT? This is Southern California. We have earthquakes here. We don't got no stinkin' BASEMENTs.
I'll probably either run a stick-on thingie above the baseboard or - more likely because I'm an obsessive perfectionist sort about this type of thing - pull the baseboards off and run the wire behind (probably need to route a channel, but that can be done. Yes, I have a router. Look out, boys: women and power tools are a dangerous combination.). I love the look of the crown moulding photographs recommended ... the Wire Tracks article - but my house doesn't "want" crown mouldings. Nor does it "want" chair mouldings.
Once again, thank you all very much. -
Your welcome...
"Say goodnight Gracie..." "Good night Gracie" -
Originally posted by gracelj
Just as a point of interest, I AM the woman in this house.
uh,oh,.. gee, hope i didn't say anything.
just dress up the wires with some fuzzy or flowery things that match the doilies on the monitor 7's and be done with it.
DOH!! SOoorrey
seriously, i like those flatwires in the link, thanks much frank. they'd look cool with stencils.
DOH!! now i can't stop!
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...And the hole continues to deepen......
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OMG.... too damn funny.... I'm in tears here...More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
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