How To Install Surround Sound

Installing surround sound is a great way to bring a theater-quality movie experience into your home. Surround-sound speakers are designed to produce true environmental sound that comes at you from all directions. Doing your own surround-sound installation is an easy one-day project if you follow these tips.

Step 1: Select the System

Before you can install a surround system you must have a surround sound system. You can either buy an inclusive packaged system or, if you are more the audiophile, you may choose to buy the components separately starting with the surround sound receiver and then purchasing the speakers that will give you the sound you want. If you opt to include satellite speakers, which are small speakers not designed to sit on the floor, you will also need to buy speaker mounts.

Step 2: Select the Locations

The locations of the speakers can vary to some degree. The most appropriate location for the center speaker is either directly below or directly above the television. The left and right front speakers should be placed 5 to 10 feet from the left and right sides of the TV. The surround left and right speakers should be placed behind your seating location and to the left and right.

Step 3: Make Your Cuts

Select a location directly behind the location where you will be installing the receiver. Use a low voltage cut-in box to make an outline in the wall where there are no studs and cut it out using a keyhole saw. Cut small holes in the locations where the speakers will be mounted.

Step 4: Run the Wires

Run the wires in either the attic or the basement. Use a drill and a paddle bit to drill a hole directly into the wall in the stud bays where your speakers will be mounted and into the wall where the hole you cut out for the receiver is mounted. Run the wire from each individual speaker location to the location where the receiver will be placed.

To run the wire in the walls tape the wire to the end of a fishing rod and tape the magnetic chain to the end you will be inserting into the wall first. Push the rod into the wall and use your flexible magnet to catch the chain and pull it out of the wall at the speaker locations. Then pull the rod out along with the wire.

Step 5 – Install the Speakers

Install the speaker mounts to the walls. Studs are preferable but if you cannot hit studs use drywall anchors. Connect the wires to the speakers and connect the speakers to the speaker mounts.

Step 6 – Finishing the Setup

Install your low-voltage cut-in box where your speaker wires are coming in for the receiver. You can place a cover plate with a 2-inch hole if you wish or leave it open. Strip the speaker wire and connect the wires to a 9V battery. This will generate a clicking sound to determine which speaker is which. Connect each speaker to the appropriate connector on the receiver. Connect the receiver to your DVD player or cable box using your digital audio connector. This will be an HDMI, digital coaxial or optical cable. Connect the power and test the system.

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