How to Install In-Ceiling & In-Wall Speakers for Your Home Theater | DIY Home Theater

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In this video, we walk you through how to install in-wall and in-ceiling speakers for your own home theater. If you’re reasonably handy and not afraid to cut drywall, a do-it-yourself in-wall & in-ceiling speaker installation should be pretty straightforward.
🛠️ Tools You Will Need 🛠️
Stud Finder: audioadvice.io/...
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Dry Wall Saw: audioadvice.io/...
🔊 Speakers Used in this Video 🔊
Bowers & Wilkins CWM 663: audioadvice.io/...
Bowers & Wilkins: audioadvice.io/...
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[@dillonepowell]

Great video. Love the “how to…” series. You guys should do more. Short and sweet and packed with info

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks Dillon, glad you like it. We have many more in the works!

[@swarren925]

I would love to see an install where you have to actually run the wires in the ceiling of say a basement or area where you can’t get above to run wired

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for the comments. We typically remove the recessed cans to gain access to the ceiling of areas like that.

[@martybrazill7935]

In-wall and in-ceiling systems have become so popular. This is very helpful.

[@AudioAdvice]

We agree! Thanks for watching Marty.

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Speaker cable magically appeared behind the wall…

[@waynehamrick1475]

I cut my wall open and didn't find the wire. 0 for 3 so far. Guess I'll just keep cutting.

[@user-ch7kb7pe5r]

Right! I’ve noticed all these home theater how-to videos skip right past running wire through the walls.

[@_DST0NE_]

And this is the most important step 😂🤦‍♂️

[@JasonsLabVideos]

Good video, well explained !

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you liked it!

[@pf5658]

Love this new design. Can’t tell you how much I’ve struggled over the years with in-walls, in-ceilings doglegs getting stuck and very annoying to remove.

[@AudioAdvice]

It can be a challenging process, but glad to hear our content demystified the procedure for you. Thanks for watching!

[@ivanhalbach4076]

I could have used this instruction video when I installed my Atmos speakers. Considering it took three weekends, for a job that should have taken 4 hours, having this would have save me an amazing amount of time to PLAY with the system, rather than installing it.

[@AudioAdvice]

We're so glad it helped, Ivan! Thanks for watching.

[@CmJr328]

wow I feel like I just learned a lot here. Very educational. Thank you!

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisgargiulo304]

I love these DIY videos!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching, Chris!

[@kissandmakeup7439]

Excellent video!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching!

[@SuperDaveJones]

Super Helpful! thank you!

[@AudioAdvice]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@ColumbusRealtor]

Great content! Would you recommend Rocket 44 or 88 for a set of B&W CWM8.5 Ds? Thanks in advance!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you. The 44 would be great.

[@92essink]

Question, I have a basement hometheater going in. Currently bare bones. I plan on boxing the in ceiling speakers to reduce noise traveling to living room above. Do you have a good go-to video to watch how that's done? And any other audio advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@AudioAdvice]

Many speakers have back boxes, how you do it will depend on the model.

[@camwangs]

The installer really knows what he's doing. Saw a perfect circle just by hand.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks, that comes with doing it many times!

[@ColumbusRealtor]

I was thinking the same thing! No way would my circle had turned out like this and it would have taken me about 10x as long to cut it!

[@aj12271]

Great video. Thank you for the instruction.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful

[@mikehayes1404]

I mean come on.... where else are you planning to purchase in NC and beyond that shows you how to do it yourself like this? NOWHERE!! Great video!!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching, Mike!

[@jameserickson1330]

What product do you guys recommend for speaker back boxes prior to blown in insulation?

[@AudioAdvice]

Most brands of in wall and in ceiling speakers sell a back box made for each model. Thanks for watching

[@dangr123]

OK, this stuff is actually pretty obvious. My question is how do we deal with the other end of the wiring? There's gotta be some sort of box/junction for getting the wiring out of the wall to connect to the source. What does that look like?

[@AudioAdvice]

A junction box looks neater, or you can just pass all the speaker wires though a plate with a round hole in it and fibers to close it off. Thanks for watching

[@ciello77]

Do you have to cover the speaker on the attic side so that the sound is directed down?

[@AudioAdvice]

That depends on the design of the speaker. Some do have a back box, others are designed for an open baffle. Thanks for watching

[@declanfarber]

It’s nice to see that you didn’t have to make any electrical connections.

[@peat381low8]

Gonna have someone help install 4-6 in-ceiling speakers for a living room space. Maybe you all can provide services in central Washington state.

[@AudioAdvice]

Sorry, we do not currently, just in the Southeast. Thanks for watching

[@arunrb8804]

its vibration will affect the ceiling ? after long time use

[@meg-k-waldren]

I now have a dilemma. For my front speakers i love my standing Klipsch. But now for my rear and surround outer Klipschs, it seems I have to replace them with in-wall Klipschs? Thats gonna cost me. Are outer bookshelf Klipschs from 8 years ago better than current in-wall Klipschs? And, if yes, does Klipsch do trade ins?

[@AudioAdvice]

If you have in room surrounds and rears, there is nothing wrong with that at all. That is how every professional mixing room is set up. The perfect system would be the exact same floor standing speaker for all of the lower surround ones. You do not need to upgrade unless you just wanted to get better mains and match them up to newer in room models. Thank you for watching!

[@kyngsley1]

Great video and instructions. Do you need to install insulation behind the speaker in the wall and the ceiling. Also what gauge speaker wire do you recommend. 12/2 or 14/2. Is it ok to use copper clad aluminum

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you! The longer the run is, the more the need increases for a heavier gauge wire. We typically use 14/2 in most residential applications but 12/2 will not hurt. We would not recommend cooper clad, just get all copper with a high strand count. Yes, on the insulation. Thanks for watching

[@Inboundbogie]

Please advise on weather the atmos ceiling speakers require a BACK BOX or just vented in into the roof?..

[@AudioAdvice]

That will depend on the specific speaker. Some are designed to work with one and others are designed for an open baffle. Thanks for watching

[@williamguillen3]

I love my B&W speakers

[@AudioAdvice]

You have great taste, William. We agree with you! Thanks for watching.

[@maurizio7626]

Love the B&W in walls I have them in 2 layers of 5/8 drywall. Only issue I have with them is they grills rattle once in a while. Any suggestions on how to stop the grills from rattling?

[@AudioAdvice]

Hi Merts. Come have a chat with one of our home theater install experts at audioadvice.com so we can better understand your setup. With enough info about your setup, we certainly have recommendations specific for your room. Thanks for watching!

[@sawyerramos3113]

get this, to save money I am going to install satilite speakers in the ceiling and use them as atmos. any reason why that wouldnt work?

[@AudioAdvice]

What do you mean by satellite speakers? Brand/model? You might be fine it they can do the job. Thanks for watching

[@sawyerramos3113]

@@AudioAdvice the little ones for example from klipsch that are sold in a package.

[@AudioAdvice]

@@sawyerramos3113 Those should be ok, just cross them over pretty high or let your AVR figure it out

[@davidbracetty]

Do you recomend building boxes in wall for room soundproofing?

[@AudioAdvice]

If the speaker is designed for a back box yes, the mfg back box would be your best bet. Some speakers are designed to be infinite baffle and you will reduce the bass response if you do. Hope this helps

[@davidbracetty]

@@AudioAdvice Does the hole in the wall, ceiling compromise sound transfer into room upstairs? If speaker requires infitnie baffle (atmos) is there a compromise to still make it work?

[@AudioAdvice]

@@davidbracetty It does, that is the most common situation where you might want a back box. If your speaker did not come with one, look up Dynamat. They specialize in making flexible, easy to install back boxes that do a great job at damping sound. Audio Advice is not a dealer, but we have used them many times.

[@davidbracetty]

Wow thanks so much!@@AudioAdvice

[@AudioAdvice]

@@davidbracetty You are welcome. Please consider supporting our small busines for your future home theater and stereo needs.

[@flyers10az]

Do you usually paint ceiling first then cut holes for Atmos?

[@AudioAdvice]

Typically it is best to cut before you paint your final color. That way you can ensure full coverage. If you can't do that, be sure to keep some paint to touch up the wall if needed after cutting.

[@treydavis6545]

What type of wiring ?

[@AudioAdvice]

Regular speaker wire. Something like this: www.audioadvice.com/audioquest-g-2-bulk-speaker-cable-16-awg-30-spool-gray-jacket-2

[@zlobniy2k]

hello, and if i broke a ring, where can i buy a new one?

[@AudioAdvice]

Chat or call our team at audioadvice.com and they can look into that for you.

[@hikarychan3997]

soooo in a random house how do you find the cable... also what's that cable called?

[@AudioAdvice]

Reach out to our experts at audioadvice.com and they can help you out!

[@gina4008]

Where's video showing how to feed the wire from wall through the CEILING?

[@AudioAdvice]

We hope to make one some day. It is not easy in most cases. However we did this since so many homes come "prewired" with wires already there but no speakers installed. Thanks for watching

[@skipsaunders5974]

Major problem: Walls are double layer 5/8 sheetrock with Green Glue between the sheets. The speaker only allows for 1 1/4" wall thickness!!!....

[@AudioAdvice]

Chat with one of our home theater experts at audioadvice.com and they may be able to come up with a solution for you!

[@Miranda3730]

I want smaller speakers...I would hate those holes on my family room ceiling.

[@AudioAdvice]

There are smaller options, please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to go over the options. Thanks for watching

[@Inboundbogie]

Don't the ceiling speakers require a back box?...

[@AudioAdvice]

No, not all of them.

[@Inboundbogie]

Reason?.. speakers sound tinny without an enclosure.

[@marilustone4823]

Uh, so you cut hole in the wall and magically the wire appears?

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, you need those magic wire pulling squirrels that run around inside the walls. In all seriousness, we do plan to shoot a video one day on the various ways to retro speaker wires. Thanks for watching

[@kadariusbryant3271]

He is “going to do/show me a lot of ish”.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching

[@HBGoneGlobal]

Why does anyone show how you run the wires. Its always showing the speaker install. That's not hard to do. WE don't care

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for the feedback. We don't currently have a video on how to run the wires but you can call or chat with our team at audioadvice.com for more tips.

[@onlypinkytube]

Eh this video violates so many OSHA requirements!

[@andysummers485]

Bad audio advise for rubbish 4k atmos Near Field mixes I do hope some don't like being ripped off with these crocked hollywood re-recording mixes for their garbage trash Near Field upmix atmos trash, cos I don't buy garbage in garbage out 4k no more.