How to Build an In-Wall Speaker Box

Special speakers compatible with surround sound and home theater systems are designed by many companies to be inserted directly into walls instead of standing in a separate cabinet. To build a speaker box in your walls, you should already own the speakers you are building the box for. In-wall speakers come with instructions and often with a template to help you build a box the right size to fit the speakers. Always follow the instructions for your particular speakers if the instructions contradict with more general advice.

In-wall speakers
Stud finder
Carpenters pencil
Level
Keyhole saw
Drill
Tape measure
2x4 lumber
Wood screws

Instructions

- 1
  Decide where you want your speakers to be located. Surround sound systems have recommendations as to where the various types of speakers should be placed in the room, so follow the instructions that came with your system to decide where you want to mount each speaker in the room.
- 2
  Mark the area in your wall where you want to build the speaker box. Ensure that there are no outlets or light switches in line with the area you want to build the box in -- outlets and light switches may indicate that wiring is behind the wall.
- 3
  Use a stud finder to locate the two studs on either side of the desired location for each speaker. You may have to shift the speaker placement so that the speaker is located evenly between two studs.
- 4
  Mark the exact dimensions of your speaker box on the wall with a carpenters pencil. Use the template that came with your speaker if applicable. Verify that the box is straight and level with a carpenters level. Mark the horizontal margins of the box on the edges of the studs and the vertical margins based on the height required for your particular speakers.
- 5
  Drill a hole in each corner of the marked speaker opening. Use a keyhole saw to cut along each line to connect the holes that you drilled. Only cut as far as the stud. In the end, you should have a rectangular or square section of drywall removed from the wall and bordered on two sides by wall studs.
- 6
  Use a tape measure to determine the exact space horizontally between the two studs. Cut two pieces of 2x4 to fit between the studs.
- 7
  Place the 2x4s in the gap between the studs, and screw them into place with wood screws.
- 8
  Drill a hole in whichever portion of the speaker box is facing the direction that you need to run your speaker wire.
- 9
  Install the speaker in the wall according to the directions that came with your model.

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