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[highroller54]

getting ready to finish the "mans room" so I need to wire in surround sound in the walls. I dont know much about it but I want a simple but really clean sounding system. What do I need and show me pics of yours with tv's please 

[potatodude]

Whats a theader?

[Stealthmode]

I don't partake in big stupid tv's or anything like that, but the best way to wire anything is from the ceiling if possible.

[crttaz]

Rigid makes the threader he needs.

[highroller54]

Cant spell 

[random-strike]

run all the cords under the carpet if you have it, if you don't lay them on the floor under rugs, best place place to lay them bare is across walk ways

[highroller54]

I know how to run god dam wires, I just re wired my whole house. What I dont know is what a guy should run for speakers/amps/placements ect. Wires are going in the walls with jacks before the wall board goes on.

[bigwig]

I don't partake in big stupid tv's or anything like that, but the best way to wire anything is from the ceiling if possible.

Or basement.

If you want a real suggestion, get wireless rear speakers.  Wiring rear speakers in general is a BITCH.  If you don't do wireless speakers, plan to do drywall work and repainting.  Personally, I try to stay away from patching drywall because most of the time it looks worse than a full sheet.

Most home theater systems are setup 100% wrong.  First and foremost, the middle of your TV screen should be at eye level from where you watch TV.  Have fun watching your TV mounted on top of your fireplace.  You will have a sore neck in 30 minutes flat.

As for speakers, your front 3 channels of your surround sound system should be directed at your ears and at ear level.  Speaker distance should be equal.  Meaning, don't put your right speaker 10' from you and your left 20'.  It will create an unbalanced sound.  Where you mount your rear speakers is less important as they just offer background music.

If you plan on mounting your TV on the wall and using a low entertainment center, you can tunnel your speaker wires through your main tunnel and then put a shelf underneath the TV or one to the right and left of the TV.  Put pictures and shit on the shelf but also use it to hold your speakers.  This is a great way to mask your speakers and create cleaning wiring.  Otherwise, I suggest getting front speakers that are on floor mounts.  Again, fishing lines behind drywall will result in lots of patch work, painting, and cursing.  I avoid it whenever possible.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Tab/Learn.aspx - They have great writeups on how things SHOULD be done.

[highroller54]

plan to do drywall work and repainting.  

no problem 

[bigwig]

I don't give a crap if you build houses every day.  Drywall patch work is BULLSHIT as it touch up painting.  Good luck having your paint match up properly.  Also, there are several ways to run speaker wire.  The easiest way is to put face plates in every location as then you at least have a sizable hole to work out of.  If you don't, then you are stuck trying to minimize your hole to run the lines and if you don't do a good job you have a drafty room with a sizable hole.

You can do what you want.  I'm giving you suggestions that will make a world of difference.  For $100 more, MAYBE, it will save you a weekend's worth of work.

[highroller54]

THE ROOM HAS NO GOD DAM DRY WALL YET THATS WHY I AM DOING THIS NOW

[bigwig]

THE ROOM HAS NO GOD DAM DRY WALL YET THATS WHY I AM DOING THIS NOW

Say that from the beginning nog, and I wouldn't suggest half the shit I'm suggesting.  It's a pain in the ass to retrofit fucking AV shit into a finished room.

Post up dimensions of the room and I'll tell you what to get as far as size and wattage.  You'll need to research what shit you actually want.  Also post what you like to do and what is important to you.  Budget is also important.

[random-strike]

I know how to run god dam wires, I just re wired my whole house. What I dont know is what a guy should run for speakers/amps/placements ect. Wires are going in the walls with jacks before the wall board goes on.

then the speakers and everything will be stuck in the same spot forever

[random-strike]

wireless speaker yes

[jeffsciv23]

is there any difference in the sound quality with wireless speakers? i always just figured they wouldnt be as good of sound as wired ones.

[Stealthmode]

Link to the wireless speakers I've been waiting for......um....forever?   

[bigwig]

Wireless speakers are common as can be now.

Not suggesting this system but, http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BRAVIA-DAV-HDX589W-5-1-Channel-Theater/dp/B001W0Y440/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267946454&sr=8-1

Cheap as can be and good enough for most.  Honestly, anyone that isn't an audiophile that doesn't buy wireless rear speakers and front speakers that have built in stands is fucking retarded.

[rsmith2786]

It really depends what your budget is.  Klipsch is usually a pretty good buy.  Paradigm is also certainly worth looking into.  It's an area that truly has no ceiling.  You could spend $500 on speakers and have it sound really good or spend $5000(very easily) and be amazed with the sound.  Beyond that it's just personal preference.  My ex's dad had 10K in a set of fronts and at least that much in amps and I really wasn't that impressed.  I'm very picky and nothing sounds perfect the first time so I build all of my stuff myself including the amplifier.  That way i can tweak until I'm satisfied.  You'd be amazed how much difference very small components can make.  Especially in an amplifier or crossover.

I've built a few sets of these: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-702

You should take a look.  You're a DIYer and these are really quite simple to build and will blow most anything 4 times their price away.  The individual drivers are quite inexpensive too so if anything bad ever happened it would be a cheap fix.

Cliffs:
1. Build your own.  It's fun simple and allows you to tweak.
2. If not, go listen to some things and see what YOU like.  Don't let the salesman crank the volume though.  Listen at the level you would at home.  Find what fits.

[rsmith2786]

I hope that all made sense.  I'm pretty hammered right now.

[1991civicsi]

Samsung DVD 5.1 Home theater system from PC Richard on the cheap no complaints from me.

[highroller54]

I know how to run god dam wires, I just re wired my whole house. What I dont know is what a guy should run for speakers/amps/placements ect. Wires are going in the walls with jacks before the wall board goes on.

Say that from the beginning nog,

I did  thanks fot the links, I can get it figgered out from those!

[highroller54]

Post up dimensions of the room and I'll tell you what to get as far as size and wattage.  You'll need to research what shit you actually want.  Also post what you like to do and what is important to you.  Budget is also important.

woops missed this, I'll measure it up today, I really dont need the setup yet. I just need the jacks and wiring for futer use.

[bigwig]

I'll show you what parts to order next week.  www.monoprice.com is where I get my stuff.  Obviously, their website it down right now for work.  When it's back up I'll show you what I suggest to use.

[highroller54]

Great, thanks!

[dvst8r]

How much do you want to spend? Is it going to be a theater room only, or a multi purpose room?

I am running Polk monitor series all the way around, but would like to upgrade to LSi's upfront in the near future. The Monitors are a mid grade speaker at best. Energy, Mirage, Polk, Kilipsh <-- sure I spelled it wrong, but don't care enough to look it up, paradigm, ect.. are all good names to start with when looking for speakers.



That is from my old place, the new place, is getting a true theater room, but construction won't start till this fall.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/buyersguides/speakers/ bottom 1/3rd of the page has in wall / on wall speakers.

[Travis]

Chad do you have a lay out of how you want your set up to be? Is your basement framed or anything?

[buk9tp]

How much do you want to spend? Is it going to be a theater room only, or a multi purpose room?

I am running Polk monitor series all the way around, but would like to upgrade to LSi's upfront in the near future. The Monitors are a mid grade speaker at best. Energy, Mirage, Polk, Kilipsh <-- sure I spelled it wrong, but don't care enough to look it up, paradigm, ect.. are all good names to start with when looking for speakers.



That is from my old place, the new place, is getting a true theater room, but construction won't start till this fall.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/buyersguides/speakers/ bottom 1/3rd of the page has in wall / on wall speakers.

the inside of your old place looks almost exactly like my apartment.  whooo generic sandalwood walls

[Jorsher]

if you don't have dryall up just stick with wired...  Better quality an more bang for buck.  You can get oulets with terminals specifically for speaker wires.

Receiver > outlet > through the wall > outlet > rear speakers

If you want the "full" experience, get 7.1 surround.  I'm satisfied with 5.1 but a lot of blurays have 7.1 audio streams now.

If you have the space, a big DLP would be best bang for buck also.  73" for 2k, 65" for 1.5k, and 60" for 1k, 1080p and 3D-ready, 6 color wheel, blah blah.

[dvst8r]

How much do you want to spend? Is it going to be a theater room only, or a multi purpose room?

I am running Polk monitor series all the way around, but would like to upgrade to LSi's upfront in the near future. The Monitors are a mid grade speaker at best. Energy, Mirage, Polk, Kilipsh <-- sure I spelled it wrong, but don't care enough to look it up, paradigm, ect.. are all good names to start with when looking for speakers.



That is from my old place, the new place, is getting a true theater room, but construction won't start till this fall.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/buyersguides/speakers/ bottom 1/3rd of the page has in wall / on wall speakers.

the inside of your old place looks almost exactly like my apartment.  whooo generic sandalwood walls

Welcome to suberibia... That house was built in 2007, my "new" place was built in 1980, I love this place, so much more character.

[Urban Indian]

I started with some good Paradigm bookshelf speakers, a 10" sub and a decent Denon receiver.

It works for now but I need to save up to purchase the towers I want, but that shit is $$$$$, Wires in the walls ftw