Building a home theater system is an exciting idea, giving you a private, warm, and happy space with your family. However, the installation of theater wiring is a difficult job, and it requires you to have basic electrical knowledge.
So, how do you wire up a home theater system? Connecting to a home theater system will largely depend on the device you’re using.
To ensure the correct process and safety for your joints, we will provide you with how to wire your home theater system to help you understand more deeply.
How To Wire Your Home Theater System
Work is so hectic that you don’t have time to take your family to the big theater? So, choosing a miniature theater with a family scale is a great idea.
To build a home theater, you need to follow these steps:
Prepare tools
You need to list exactly what type of equipment your family has so that you can find the right tools. This way can save you quite a lot of different marginal costs.
HDMI for wire home theater system
We build information in a spirit of objectivity, including some specific preparation tools. Maybe it will be what you are interested in.
- HDMI: The HDMI port is an important connector you need to pay attention to; it has a significant effect in connecting modern audio-visual devices: Projector or speaker.
- DVI: A DVI connector is a tool that helps us connect a high-quality video interface to send a dark interactive signal to other connected devices.
- Plug: It is impossible not to mention the round pin jack system in this section; it plays the role of transmitting sound and picture quality to bring the best quality to us.
- Composite: It is the essential pairing device for perfect video quality reproduction and transmission.
- Scart: Scart acts as an interface to transmit audio and video signals.
- VGA: VGA allows us to connect the laptop to other projection devices.
- Optical audio: It is a professional product in transmitting audio from a phone or computer to a speaker.
- Coaxial audio: Coaxial connections are a common means of sending perfect digital audio signals to receiving devices.
- Stereo RCA: It is the ideal proposition for the connection and transmission of unique stereo sound.
- RCA Connections: Rca fully supports surround-related pairings.
- Mini TRS jack: The product is suitable for stereo audio transmission.
- Speaker Wire: Speaker wire is available to connect an audio amplifier to surround or stereo speakers.
Choose the right wiring hardware
Choose the right wiring hardware
You can entirely rely on the parameters of the devices you are using to assess the ability to pair them with the wiring accurately. The hardware you need to choose here is none other than the audio amplifier.
You can rely on the device’s specifications to choose a wire with the proper resistance. Moreover, in addition to ensuring the speaker’s load compared to the audio amplifier, you also need to make sure to choose a wire with a resistance that is less than a percentage of the diffuser’s rating.
For example, you’re building a home theater system with a 5.1 amplifier and 8 ohms rated speakers. So it would help if you chose a wire with a resistance of fewer than 0.4 ohms. It is the only way to ensure that your sound is transmitted to the transmitter device most perfectly.
Besides, considering the length of the wire is also an issue we get a lot of questions about. How long is the cord?
As recommended by music experts, the connection cable we use should not be longer than 50 ft. This length sometimes causes specific transmission problems. Therefore, you should carefully consider these factors!
The ideal home theater wiring arrangement
Theater wiring arrangements play a pivotal role in your home’s hands-on experience. It would help if you minimized everything to limit the possible fire incidents for that cozy space. In particular, you need to keep the following details in mind for your arrangement:
Speaker cables need to be designed and arranged smartly; avoid pulling them too tight as they will likely pull down your devices themselves.
Arrange and secure the enamel wire along the wall, do not use the extension cord from one end of the room to the other. Because doing so will endanger the whole system and yourself sitting below.
We recommend using safety hooks, lanyards, and cable management systems to ensure your system has a certain degree of robustness after deployment. The laxity of the system will cause many consequences for itself and the theater space.
Minimize the situation of wires overlapping and overlapping. It can generally affect the signal as well as the sound and picture quality.
Make customizations
What pairing do you need to do, with what devices? That’s what you need to set yourself to be able to select and execute concatenations correctly.
For example, you need to consider hiring a home theater system with audio and video requirements.
To make this connection, you will need to evaluate their location, pairing type, and device specifications to find the correct type of wire, compatible length.
Make customizations according to your needs
In this way, you will mainly go to make adjustments to the wire length, the compatibility of the wires for the system. As for the location for each connector, you need to note through the characteristics printed and the user manual.
Also, when creating an integral length cable for a connector, it is recommended that you use a crimping tool to bring them to the correct position and proceed with the cut. It will help you minimize excess or lack of wire cutting.
At the same time, this step also ensures maximum stability for the wire to work at its best. In addition, you should not bend the system’s wires too much, as this will reduce the audio signal leading to undesirable home theater quality.
Check the connection again
After the pairings have been fully performed, you need to complete the operation and evaluate the pairing quality. Carefully check all the plugs to see if we have put them in place.
Moreover, do not forget to check your power supply type; the stability of the power supply helps your devices operate more meaningful and valuable.
When the power is on, and you don’t get any response from your device, disconnect the power and re-check precisely where the fault is. Your connections might not fit together, making them unable to link to work.
On the contrary, carefully review the sound and picture quality to see satisfaction when your theater system responds. If the sound is still not clear, readjust the input system and some related pairing.
Mistakes When Setting Up Home Theater System
In fact, up to 80% of people with a pre-existing understanding of theater setup make the main mistake. That’s a considerable number, which reflects the user’s placement and wiring skills.
Therefore, in this article, we will mainly take you through the basic mistakes and mistakes you are making in setting up your home theater system. Indeed, after reading this information, you will become much more discerning.
Use the right speaker cable
Use the right speaker cable
You don’t need to be too picky in choosing speaker wires; you don’t need to use expensive wires for surround sound. We will only need a resistance cord compatible with your device and is at least 50 feet long.
Also, try to find out exactly what kind of cord your device needs. Being too critical of form and choosing incompatible conductors won’t make your system work. Even in some specific cases, it will cause a fire affecting your safety.
Don’t buy too much on your connections
Devices are not necessary for your design; it is meaningless. And that is waste.
If you do not know what your system needs to use, refer to our how-to section. We have listed some essential components and their uses. Based on that, you can know exactly what you want.
Pay attention to your cable’s HDMI features
Pay attention to your cable’s HDMI
HDMI is the universal cable that any audio system needs. Your biggest mistake leading to not starting your home theater is not paying attention to the function of HDMI, leading to the wrong pairing. And, of course, this action of yours will be meaningless and will not benefit the theater system.
If you don’t know what features HDMI has, you can refer to our information:
- Data channel: HDMI supports sharing internet connection via HDMI link. At the same time, it also provides a connection platform for HDMI-coupled components and helps to share content between devices.
- Audio return channel: Through the HDMI cap, you will receive a unique and vivid sound quality for yourself. And you won’t need any other cables, and just HDMI is enough.
- Support for 3D image processing: Your home theater system will become ideal for 3D image integration. And HDMI can do this for you.
Active HDMI cables are the best to fend off your system
As mentioned earlier, HDMI plays an essential and pivotal role in your theater system. It can transmit more and more data at any time.
However, your installation with incorrect HDMI also reduces this possibility. If you put it too far, you won’t be able to see the desired image.
Speaker Stage Problems
The speaker mistake here mainly refers to selecting the wrong speaker or doing the bad pairing, or it can also come from some other problem. Tower speakers and bookshelf speakers are in the same phase.
The positive lead on the AV unit or audio amplifier must both be to the positive charge on the speaker. If you match it correctly, your sound is clear and lively.
Conversely, if you reverse the speaker’s negative lead to the positive wire of the amplifier, your sound will have problems. The sound is not clear but deep; imagine someone talking in your ear; it is very affects your hearing.
Therefore, you must be extraordinarily prudent in making the connections between the speaker and the amplifier.
Heat rises to the top
Misplacement of AV amplifiers or receivers causes their temperature to heat up. Above all, it is advisable to arrange the amplifier at the top.
If you still stubbornly place them underneath, their heat will most likely affect the entire system and your safety.
Ventilation is not optional
Your home theater system will need ventilation fans. If you choose too tight a space for your theater, you will run into a lot of trouble.
Each of your devices, when operating, will generate heat; installing in an enclosed space will cause them to overheat and lead to damage.
Therefore, we sincerely recommend that you choose a room with enough wind to provide the best performance and safety for you.
The remote control IS an AV device
AV device
Your theater system will work better if you add them with remote control. It is the ideal means of allowing you to control everything without directly walking and touching your device.
Plan the ultimate upgrade
Plan your final tweaks to your home theater system, both to spot equipment failures and potentially turn them into more functional products. From there, it brings you more impressive sound, more vivid and attractive images.
Boosting the spirit
A TV set at the right height for a viewing distance will increase the excitement of each experience. The speaker system also needs to have its arrangement to make the sound too bright for your hearing.
Which Test Leads Should You Use For Home Theater?
Besides the mistakes of pairing manipulation, many people are still quite confused about their ability to choose their conductors.
Therefore, we would like to introduce some common types of wire with the following uses for your convenience to follow and strengthen your knowledge:
- Copper: Copper wire is a popular item chosen by many people for their home theater system. Copper is a low-resistance wire with good electrical conductivity. However, they are easy to connect during use.
Therefore, if you have a long-term intention with your theater system, you should consider carefully about it.
- Silver: The silver conductor is rare for anyone to use; it has a relatively low resistance and is lower than copper. Even silver conductors are easily oxidized.
- Gold: Gold conductors are the best rated for their low resistance and resistance to oxidation. Moreover, they also have the best connectivity and electrical conductivity. But, its cost is relatively high, and many users do not have access to it.
In general, for these three types of conductors, we still recommend that you choose to use copper conductors. They ensure the criteria of safety, quality, and reasonable price.
In addition, you also need to pay close attention to the addresses that provide this type of wire. To avoid buying low-quality products, learn to check their quality yourself!
Some General Connection Tips
You may not know, your pairings will be more convenient if you know how to apply some of the tips below.
These tips are built entirely from customer feedback or advice from leading experts, so you can rest assured to refer to them!
Understanding positive and negative conductors
You need to make sure that you know precisely where the positive or negative leads of the speaker are. They are a system and directly affect your pairing results; you need to match them correctly.
Using a drawstring tool
For a stronger and longer-lasting connection to your connections, we recommend the use of a drawstring tool. It will help you twist the ropes and bond them more firmly.
When you are making connections to speakers, it will bring you top-notch, attractive sound quality for your maximum use.
Speakers with spring clamps or fasteners
You should use clamped or latched speakers for their latches. This action has significance in maintaining the connection and not affecting your experience.
They are straightforward to use, and you can find them at most home appliance stores. However, you should also note that the spring clamp is for use with bare wire only. Carrying them for other types of cords will be difficult for you.
Speaker layout planning
Speaker layout planning
You should plan the impressive speaker layout before connecting them with cables. We recommend that you position the speakers slightly apart to limit the exposure of too many sound waves in the same small space. It can directly affect your hearing.
Above all, they should be in the very corners of the room. For example, each corner will install a speaker, bringing a more suitable and attractive sound.
Consider the distance
How far is enough? Small bars can be caused by you distributing them over long distances, and you should reconsider this very thing.
However, in this case, we do not recommend changing the speaker’s position.
You should upgrade your conductor quality instead. You can use thicker wire with better quality. From there, it will improve your sound quality ideally.
Hiding wire
Try to hide your wires deep inside, so you don’t trip and damage them. You can put them in the wall, or you can directly fix them on the floor with the help of specialized wire covers.
These two methods are to be expected, and both bring good efficiency in protection and limit the influence of other factors on the wiring system.
How Do You Hide The Wires For A Home Theater?
You can use more of the different ways to make your wiring neater and safer. Check out some of our helpful solutions below to make it perfect!
Using the Wall Groove Kit
The wall groove set is a specially designed product with small grooves to arrange our wiring inside comfortably. Then attach them directly to the wall, so it looks immaculate and safe for you.
Before buying them, you need to carefully plan how many sets of wall grooves your theater system will need. This action saves you relative unexpected costs.
Hide your cords inside the deck grooves
Besides using the set of grooves, you can also arrange them in deck grooves if your home space can have this form. It is an effective solution for hiding your wires or connectors, making the system look much neater and safer.
However, be careful about the size of the strings and the deck grooves to see if they are compatible with each other. Forcing yourself will not bring any benefit and even brings with it many electrical risk factors.
Use fabric concealer
Can concealer be used on fabric? That can be available with just a few simple steps. You can put your leads in place and apply a cream with a masking effect. But, it would help if you put them in a safe place to avoid getting caught in it.
Push the wire deep into the wall
If the room is editable, then you should put your wires deep inside the wall. This way is not only neat, eye-catching but also absolutely safe for you.
For spaces that cannot be repaired, you can use the earlier methods and do not need to apply this method. However, if you have the money, effort, and time, you can do it.
On the other hand, before construction, you should research carefully to see what positions you need to arrange to be easier and more convenient when starting the construction.
Benefits Of Building A Home Theater
Building A Home Theater
Home theater is a unique form of family entertainment. It gives you quite a lot of different benefits.
- Connecting family members: There will be nothing more wonderful than having the whole family gather together on cold winter days to enjoy and perform their favorite songs.
Home theater helps to bond and strengthen relationships between family members. Bring warmth and happiness to all members.
- Save time: Instead of spending hours commuting to the big theaters, you can completely start up whenever you want with your home theater.
- Cost: On average, annually, it will cost you a few hundred dollars, even a few thousand dollars for going to the theater. Building a home theater allows you to save quite a lot of costs and use it in the long run.
See more:
- How To Set Up A Home Stereo System
- How To Connect RCA Home Theater System To TV
- Top 10 Best Surround Sound System In
Conclusion
With the information about building home theater systems we give above, we hope to help you have an accurate and in-depth look at the problem.
The home theater system is not only a means of entertainment on a family scale, but it also contains many other profound meanings. And most of all, we recommend choosing and building them.
Try it out, and don’t forget to leave us feedback!
Thank you for reading!