In Wall Speaker Installation With Insulation

Preparation

• The first step in installing in-wall speakers is to wire the area where the speakers will be located. This is accomplished by fishing wires from the attic or basement into the wall cavity and attaching those wires to the electrical system of the house. Your wire needs to meet local codes and it needs to be a UL-rated wire. The most common types are labeled CL2 or CL3. Wires need to be pulled to each speaker location. This is easiest in new home construction during the wiring phase, but any home can be retrofit if you have basic electrical wiring skills.

Wall Cavities

• Speakers are sold in a wide selection. The most unique in-wall speakers are plastered over and virtually invisible from view. More often people select a mid-range speaker that is centered between wall studs. The cavities where you want to install the speaker needs to be checked to make sure it isn't blocked or close to other pipes, ducts or wiring. Installers will insert an L-shaped wire and spin the wire around inside the cavity to make sure there is open space. This keeps you from cutting a hole in the wall and having to make patches. It is also important to read the literature that comes with your speaker describing the installation requirements. Some speakers hard nail to adjacent studs, others are designed to rest between studs.

Connections

• Poke a small hole in the wall between two studs. Bend a wire into an L-shape and turn the wire inside the wall to find obstacles. If the space is open, center your speaker template in the area you want and cut it out with a drywall saw. Open the cavity and locate the wire. Pull the wire through the hole. Insert insulation filling the cavity above and below your speaker location. This will help prevent sound problems. Connect your speaker wires to the wire inside the wall. It is a good idea to test your speakers before finishing your installation, in case the wiring doesn't work for some reason. Once you have tested your wires, turn the power back off and complete the installation.

Clamping Speakers

• Among the several different types of in-wall speakers, the most common variety are designed to clamp to the drywall and provide a smooth and crisp appearance. The second most common mount against the side of a stud. The last group are designed to fit under a wall surface so that no evidence of the speaker is visible on the wall. The last group may require special wall panels and specific types of finishing to provide the best result. Several of the models have paintable speaker covers designed to make the speakers blend as much as possible with the wall surface.