[von949]

Any recommendations for someone that could hook this up for a two story house? Upstairs and downstairs. About 10 speakers in the ceiling and maybe 2-4 in a vertical wall. I found a couple of installers but wanted to check on here first. 3 differnt rooms, including the kitchen.

I can do it myself but running the wires would be a b*tch to do. I have seen all of the tricks...Magnets, cables, cords, hangers, cutting additional holes along the walls and ceiling. Don't feel like getting into all of that.

Maybe I could just pay someone to run the speaker wires only. But if they are doing that much work, might as well pay them to finish the job.

Anything like these below.

[MSchu]

I'm kind of curious... what are they quoting you now?

[von949]

Originally Posted by MSchu

I'm kind of curious... what are they quoting you now?

I have not gotten the quotes yet. I have appointments set up for this weekend. I can let you know when I get them.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by von949

I have not gotten the quotes yet. I have appointments set up for this weekend. I can let you know when I get them.

I'll be interested in the quotes, just from a curiosity standpoint. I imagine this is one of those things (like central vacuum) that is best installed before the drywall goes up.

I wonder if there is a way to do this wirelessly? You can easily draw a little power from the ceiling fan and send it to a DC transformer to drive the speakers. That way you wouldn't have to run wires down the walls to a central surround sound box.

[von949]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

I'll be interested in the quotes, just from a curiosity standpoint. I imagine this is one of those things (like central vacuum) that is best installed before the drywall goes up.

I wonder if there is a way to do this wirelessly? You can easily draw a little power from the ceiling fan and send it to a DC transformer to drive the speakers. That way you wouldn't have to run wires down the walls to a central surround sound box.

Most of the new construction going up now have the speaker wires, coaxial cable, central vacuum hook ups and pre wired for security accessories already installed. Some of my co-workers that have purchased a brand new home this year have all of this ready for use in their home.

Wireless surround sound would still get interference from microwaves, cell phones and other radio transmitted devices. I have some now that go in and out when ever my garage door opens. Weird. Maybe infrared surround speakers would be a lot better but also a lot more expensive.

I was thinking of purchasing this tool. Check out the video, its short.


Magnepull XP1000-LC Magnetic Wire and Cable Pulling Tool - YouTube

[ScoopLV]

I can't imagine a 10-to-14-speaker installation that wouldn't require drilling through a lot of studs. That's not something I'm interested in doing. That's for sure.

[MSchu]

^ that is almost assuredly will happen. you're going to be better off pulling off the dry wall and re sheeting.

[ScoopLV]

If someone put a gun to my head and said "Run cable across your ceiling," I would attack the problem like this:

1) Invest in a very good stud sensor -- the kind that accurately finds electric wires, plumbing and similar. Mark the locations of studs, power lines and everything else using painters tape on the ceiling.

2) Shut the power down from the main breaker.

3) Cut the holes for the speakers in the ceiling drywall with a cordless sawzall.

4) Use a long spade bit and a series of bit extensions to drill holes right across the ceiling. Secure wire to the end of the last extension and use that to pull the wire as you disconnect the bit and extensions from the other end.


I have done this system to run cat-5e cable from an upstairs bedroom down to the "dining room" -- which didn't have a phone jack. We don't like the idea of a formal dining room, so we turned it into an office. It ended up being a four-foot hole. So it can be done. But I don't want to do it again.

Personally, I would embrace free standing speakers before I would go through the hassle and expense of retrofitting a surround system. That's why I'm curious about what kind of bids you get. Maybe I'm missing something obvious that makes this not as big deal as I think.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Maybe I'm missing something obvious that makes this not as big deal as I think.

First, figure out what kind of ceiling joists you're dealing with. If you've got open web engineered trusses, there is no drilling at all to do. The development I'm in can't be the only one in the area that used open web trusses to hold up the second floor.

[SportyandMisty]

Eagle Sentry is very competent. Las Vegas Home Theater & Security