Home audio systems

[Daryl.davies20]

After some advice guys….

I’m in the process of wiring our family home. I want to run cables for a multi zone home audio system. Not sure what speaker cable to run? Relatively long runs…
I’ve tried to reasearch online, but there doesn’t seem to be much info out there.
Grateful for some help

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

If it's just for your house, I suggest you use (Almost) the biggest cross sectional area flexible you can find. Just don't fall for none of the "Oxygen free" cable nonsence.

If your Amp is 100v line you can use any speaker cable.

 

[King Arthur]

Or don't bother with cabling and use one of the many wifi -based systems now widely available.

During my house restoration I installed loads of speaker cabling and cat5e cabling. I've used almost all the cat5e cabling and none of the speaker cabling. ANother consideration is that 'traditional' hi-fi separates are so cheaply available these days that it can be cheaper to just have separate amp/speaker set ups in the required rooms all fed from a central NAS-based server.

 

[Geoff1946]

Data cabling is likely to be more useful, especially from your router to any smart TV /digital recorder location. Consider also HDMI cable from your main (smart) TV to second sets if you may want to use those facilities remotely. Both these are things I've added in my bungalow.

 

[Daryl.davies20]

Thanks guys. Very useful info.

I will be running cat5 to wi fi points throughout house. If speakers are off wi fi…will they need a power source? I’m thinking of recessed speakers in the ceiling.

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

I’m thinking of recessed speakers in the ceiling.

What else are you looking at? Which / what amp? How will you control the volume? (I have an idea, just wondering what you are thinking of)

Just My opinion: Anything wi-fi will (as you say) need power (More cables more grief)

 

[Kash007]

Phone number etc. removed. No free advertising
________________________________________________________________________________

Don’t run cat5- run cat6 to a central point
And I’d run speaker cable even if You don’t use it!

 

[Holty]

Have a look at lithe audio WiFi speakers amps built in to the speaker think you can have up to 30 speakers on a multi room system.
Put the pros in mine sound quality is really good if you look at the pros you can hard wire in out cat 6, also they are true wisa Dolby atmos if you buy the modules which can be added at any time

 

[Kash007]

Have a look at lithe audio WiFi speakers amps built in to the speaker think you can have up to 30 speakers on a multi room system.
Put the pros in mine sound quality is really good if you look at the pros you can hard wire in out cat 6, also they are true wisa Dolby atmos if you buy the modules which can be added at any time

Great speakers, but expensive solution especially with the POE injector. It is a good option though if budget allows.

 

[Daryl.davies20]

Phone number removed. No free advertising

Don’t run cat5- run cat6 to a central point
And I’d run speaker cable even if You don’t use it!

Hi Kash,

Thanks for that. I’ve run Cat5e throughout the house- don’t really think that cat6 will make that much of a difference?

Yes I agree about running the speaker cables. Any suggestion on sizes? AWG 14? I believe this has CSA of 2.1. Longest runs are 25m.

Thanks

 

[Daryl.davies20]

Have a look at lithe audio WiFi speakers amps built in to the speaker think you can have up to 30 speakers on a multi room system.
Put the pros in mine sound quality is really good if you look at the pros you can hard wire in out cat 6, also they are true wisa Dolby atmos if you buy the modules which can be added at any time

Hard wire these speakers with cat6? Do they also need a power source?

What else are you looking at? Which / what amp? How will you control the volume? (I have an idea, just wondering what you are thinking of)

Just My opinion: Anything wi-fi will (as you say) need power (More cables more grief)

I’ve no idea yet to be honest. I’m just at that 1st fix stage, and want to try and future proof my home as much as possible. Just trying to run cables for everything at this stage

 

[Kash007]

Hi Kash,

Thanks for that. I’ve run Cat5e throughout the house- don’t really think that cat6 will make that much of a difference?

Yes I agree about running the speaker cables. Any suggestion on sizes? AWG 14? I believe this has CSA of 2.1. Longest runs are 25m.

Thanks

If it’s already run, so be it. A good explanation or the difference linked on this site

https://www.netwerkkabel.eu/en/blogs/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-cat-5-and-cat-6/
2 core or 4 core 16/2 or 16/4 would be fine for most domestic and average set ups and is what we typically install

 

[Holty]

Hard wire these speakers with cat6? Do they also need a power source?

I’ve no idea yet to be honest. I’m just at that 1st fix stage, and want to try and future proof my home as much as possible. Just trying to run cables for everything at this stage

Yes they need a single socket in the ceiling to the master speakers and a speaker cable to the passive speaker

 

[BorisJ]

Hi Kash,

Thanks for that. I’ve run Cat5e throughout the house- don’t really think that cat6 will make that much of a difference?

Yes I agree about running the speaker cables. Any suggestion on sizes? AWG 14? I believe this has CSA of 2.1. Longest runs are 25m.

Thanks

AWG is American wire gauge. Here we use SWG standard wire gauge. It is different.

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

Longest runs are 25m.

I thought you said long run? what about upstairs? will you be having any speakers upstairs?

I honestly think you should decide what equipment you are going to get first, see what cables it needs then decide what cables to run to the speaker locations. Don't run in cables that will not be suitable, it will cost you more in the long run.

Only a suggestion.
If you really want "HI-FI" sound look at Sonos, (But for a good setup I think you would be looking at £3-5K , I Guess)
If it is just "background music" get a 100v line amp, speakers and attenuator for each room £4-700
You could even get an Echo Dot for each room £40-?

 

[Holty]

Have a look at audiovolt online that’s we’re I got my lithe audio set up from they do many other makes of speakers and amps. There very helpful and knowledgeable. As someone’s said it’s all bout budget as-well with these multi rooms set ups or have a look at system line e100 or e50 there 4 speakers and a in wall amp for £300ish or as Richard said above sonos but its all your budget
Then it also depends on the sound quality your after

 

[stuboy]

Drop me a PM I run an audio company so i "should" be able to give you some useful advise?!
Cheers
Stuart

 

[Andy™]

Drop me a PM I run an audio company so i "should" be able to give you some useful advise?!
Cheers
Stuart

why not just post it here?

 

[Bruspark]

From past experience of these projects I have a more creative solution that is likely more future proof

Only on Netflix movies and restaurants does everyone now listen to the same thing everywhere and cat 8.1 will be along around the same time as HDMI 4 changes our 16K 3D tv experience forever

So by all means run what you fancy now but do it in spacious conduit, leave pull-cords in each section and each major route and have a ‘hub position or two in at least 2 of a wall/floor /ceiling/av location of main rooms that also has power run to it.

By 2032 you’ll thank me ..

 

[stuboy]

From past experience of these projects I have a more creative solution that is likely more future proof

Only on Netflix movies and restaurants does everyone now listen to the same thing everywhere and cat 8.1 will be along around the same time as HDMI 4 changes our 16K 3D tv experience forever

So by all means run what you fancy now but do it in spacious conduit, leave pull-cords in each section and each major route and have a ‘hub position or two in at least 2 of a wall/floor /ceiling/av location of main rooms that also has power run to it.

By 2032 you’ll thank me ..

That would have been one of my suggestions, a bit of plumbing 32mm waste pipe using "swept bends" would be ideal with 2 draw strings in each path!
The ultimate setup.
Cheers
Stuart