If you could re-cable what would you do?

dune2polo

First Post-

Thank you in advance if anyone takes the time to read/reply to this!

I recently got hitched, and everyone chipped in to set my wife an I with the following....

-A Harman Kardon 2600 AVR receiver
-2 Polk TC60i in wall speakers
-1 PSW 110 sub
-2 RTiA5 Towers.

Needless to say, we're excited to set it up, and listen to some tunes.

However, we have no cables, and as the title implies...if you could re-cable your system, knowing what you know, how would you do it? More specifically, how would you wire our set up?

What cables would you buy?
How many?
Where?
Price range?
Any recommendations for HDMI Cables?

Price is a factor, and there is no way I can spend monster cable premiums.

As far the the cabling for the TC60i's go, I don't really have much say, as the installer is doing it in Cat 14, and he won't allow me to provide the cable.

But the rest is up to us.

A shopping list would be of tremendous help!

Thank you, and good holiday karma.:D

-PA

dudeinaroom

karma, I'm in. Welcome to Club Polk. When I get around to getting the 2 ch set up I will be trying for all Kimber Kable. I have only tried the PBJ interconnects, but love them over the others I have heard. Not the cheapest, but not the worst by far.

fbm211

Welcome to CP.First you should consider getting cables (ICs)on audiogon.You can get great deals on used cables there.And speaker cables too.You can also often find good deals right here in the for sale section too.
Second, I got my HDMI cable at monoprice at a great low price.You cant go wrong with there quality and prices.

sTiLlLeArNiNg

monoprice.com

PSOVLSK

dune2polo wrote: »

What cables would you buy?
How many?
Where?
Price range?
Any recommendations for HDMI Cables?

Price is a factor, and there is no way I can spend monster cable premiums.

Based on the last sentence, I think monoprice would be a great place to start. I think most would agree that you'll monster-type performance for way less $$$. Definitely get your HDMI from monoprice.

I started our with monoprice IC's, but upgraded little by little as I found good deals used. Not a bad way to approach it IMO. I've now replace everything with Ben's (a CP member who makes IC's) and Signal Cable. It took me about a year or so of spending $25-50 here and there rather than spending over $300 all at once. How many IC's depends on what all components you will be hooking up. This will in turn effect your excepted price to pay.

For my speaker cables, I need in-wall cable and I have a very long run, so I went with Blue Jeans Cable 10ga. for my HT. For a shorter run, 14 ga will probably suffice. My 2-channel has AQ Type-4 that a member here threw in when I bought an amp from him (thanks again Tracy;)). Good speaker cable, but probably out of your (and my) price range.

Good Luck and Welcome to CP!

F1nut

As far the the cabling for the TC60i's go, I don't really have much say, as the installer is doing it in Cat 14, and he won't allow me to provide the cable.

Get a new installer.

cnh

Welcome to CLUB POLK!!

+1 F1nut,

I mean, if you can't choose your OWN wiring, what's the point of the installer?

+1 on monoprice for you as well. Sounds like you're on a budget....if you weren't in a hurry I'd just hang around here and wait till someone upgrades their cables and buy their used gear!


cnh

wutadumsn23

Welcome to Club Polk dune!! I am with the guys on this one, Monoprice is a great place to get quality cables at a good price. I also agree with F1 and cnh, what kind of installer won't let you use your own cables? Sounds like he has some crap wire that he just found the perfect place to unload it, lol.

-Jeff

KASR

Welcome to Polk Audio! Have you decided on where you're gonna put the gear? That might help you figure out how much cabling you'll need - then, in my opinion, you make some better decisions on what gauge speaker wire, what brand HDMI, etc. Do you own the home where this stuff is going to be installed? Are you a DIY'er kind of guy? If so, then the project might be fun to tackle by yourself. Shop around and do the research - you'll be glad you did.

Willow

I have re-done my cables, all with Audioquest and Signal. Most of it was bought used. As far as HDMI as others have said, monoprice (I didn't again I have AQ or SC).

Montoya

I have audioquest flx 14/2 for the surrounds and rears and the fronts are type-8. If I had to do it over again I would use type-2 on the surrounds and rear.

kwikrnu

Buy the least expensive decent quality cables I could find tax free on the internet.

fbm211

Canare 4S11 is a great budget speaker cable.If you dont like to solder you can always go with screw type nanners.It is one of the best bang for the buck speaker cables out there.

dune2polo

First...

Thank you for taking the time to share the wisdom, you guys rock!

Here's what I've compiled so far...

Monoprice is a good source for HDMI's and possibly IC's.
Brand wise, Kimber Kable is not a bad choice, and look out for deals at audiogon.
If I can sell off any unwanted holiday gifts, I should consider the IC's from Ben.

As for the installer, I stand corrected, it's 14 gauge speaker wire, not the non-existent CAT 14 (My bad). For where we are going to live, he is apparently excellent, and uses reliable equipment.
However, what do you guys think is a fair price to pay for the installation of two ceiling in wall speakers?
Thereafter, I can probably do my own hookup as the neither the tv/front speakers will be wall mounted. Yet...would you hire someone to calibrate the sound?

As you can see, my experience is limited, although looking forward to learning.

Thank you once again!


My best,
PA

Note:

Lasareath, I live out in BC, Canada which makes the installation offer complicated, but thank you for the offer, and the links you provided. Very useful.

KASR

dune2polo wrote: »

However, what do you guys think is a fair price to pay for the installation of two ceiling in wall speakers?

Unless you have some physical limitation - I think you should tackle the ceiling install yourself! Nothing makes you appreciate the end-product more than knowing that you did it!

Paden501

If you're a bit of a 'do-it-yourself-er', I recommend looking here:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/whitelightning/moonshine.html

I just made myself the speaker cables from this article (just follow the instructions) and they sound great. I'll likely be tackling the interconnects soon.

Willow

I would not hire someone to calibrate the sound. You can either use the mics that come with the receiver (if applicable), buy a audio meter and use a test tone disk, or use what God gave you...your ears.

You can buy some great cable from Signal Cable, plus you get 5% off for being a club polk member. I bought cables from him and have no issues with the duty. You can buy some good cables from the flea market here on CP. Check out some used audio shops around you they sometimes have good deals on used cables...oh and don't forget Ebay.

messiah

F1nut wrote: »

Get a new installer.

+1000


If he wont let you pick your own cable, F'm.

messiah

Lasareath wrote: »

I'd say minimum $150, But it really depends on how far and how many walls I have to pull the speaker cables through. It's very hard to give a price quote without seeing the install location.

Don't worry about the 14 Gauge wire for the in-walls, I've used that many times and it is fine. especially for the TC60i's, If they were a pair of LCi-RTS105 or LC265i-IP then I'd use something of much better quality and larger Gauge size.

Sal

Agreed Sal, 14 gauge is cool for rears. If it's good 14 guage, and i'd bet it's not!

headrott

This HDMI cable is certainly not the cheapest out there, but it's a great cable for the price........ http://www.sjofnhifi.com/servlet/Categories?category=Supra+Cables%3AHDMI+cables

Maybe it's more than you want to pay though.....just a suggestion and I can tell you first hand it's a good cable (excellent color, and contrast).

reeltrouble1

From the cheapo to the premo like cabling for an audio system should be of the same wire and brand.

So it is written, So Shall it be.

RT1

JohnLocke88

messiah wrote: »

+1000


If he wont let you pick your own cable, F'm.

Agreed 110%

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239

Go get yourself some 12 or 14 AWG stranded copper at MonoPrice; good budget stuff; for those speakers, the wire will be fine. Terminated with some bananas:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115
and you've got great cable on the cheap.

Some with higher end speakers will undoubtedly chastise me for saying this, but the the RTi speakers, boring, 12 AWG cable will work wonderfully.

(For the TCi60s, be sure to use CL2 rated cable).

crogers227

I picked up all my HDMI cables from ebay. Sometimes you can find big lots of cables and save some money. Or at least thats what i did.

dvran

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

monoprice.com

+1

I use monoprice cables and they're good cables.