how do I secure speaker wire?

Jerabel

Hi- I am pretty new here and new to home theatre. Just purchased the RM 6700. The rear two satellites will be up on a side wall about 15 feet or so from my receiver/
I will have to run the wiring down a wall and along carpeting and was wondering just what is the best way to tack down the speaker wire? Tape?/staple gun/carpet tacks?
Hope this question isnt too rudimentary but I have to start someplace.
One more thing-I have some 18 gauge speaker wire I bought atHome depot recently-is this heavy enough or do I need 16 or even heavier.? Thank you- Jerry

okiepolkie

Jerry,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure as to what would be best in you situation, but if you can swing it, go with the 16 guage wire for the rears and possible 14 guage for the fronts and center.

McLoki

Is this an inside or outside wall? (do you have insulation to deal with in the wall cavity?) Do you have a basement and if so, is the ceiling finished in it? Here are some options that have worked for me in the past. (as a quiz can you tell what ones were done when I was single and what ones have been done since I got married? )

Couple of options to run the wire....

1. run the wire down the wall and tuck it under the baseboard (if you have carpet)

2. put up crown molding and run the wire in the molding. (remember cut upside down and backwards... )

3. drill a hole behind the speaker and another one just above the baseboard - run the wire through the wall and then under the baseboard. (you can use fishing line and a weight to drop the wire down the wall)

4. drill a hole behind the speaker and through the ceiling in the basement. pull the wire through and run it back up behind your stereo gear. (if you have carpet, run it right through the floor. a hole sized for 16-18ga wire is really pretty small. If you move the equipment and run your hand over the carpet the hole with just about disappear. - if you have a wood floor this is not recommended though.... )

5. paint the wire the same color as the wall. (not the entire wire, just where the run will be.) (tacky but better than option 1)

6. put up a small piece of cove molding in the corner near the speaker (if there is a corner) and paint it to match the wall. Will just look like a rounded corner and the speaker wire can run down the inside of it pretty well.

good luck,

Michael

John K.

Jerry, the 18ga wire that you bought will be fine since your longest runs are only about 15 feet. This and other matters involving speaker wire are explained very well in this article and table by a well-respected veteran audio professional.

Jerabel

Just want to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions.
McLoki- know what you mean about before or after marriage-been married a long time so I better go with your advice and "paint the wire to match the wall" -ha
Since we live in an apartment too much drilling is out of the question- we will just run it down the wall and tuck it under the carpeting. Jerry:)

McLoki

Actually it was in an apartment that we drilled the hole behind the speaker and another just above the baseboard (about 1/2" hole) and ran the speaker wire through the wall then jumped under the baseboard. It worked really well and as long as you make SURE that you use a level drilling your holes (the bottom one is EXACTLY below the top one) running the wire wasn't to bad. once the wire is run, a little bit of spackling and you are in good shape.

When you move, just cut the wire, poke it back into the wall and re-spackle the hole.

It looked really good.

Michael