Installing surround sound in your home theater can greatly enhance your movie and music listening experience. With multiple speakers placed strategically around the room, you'll be immersed in multi-dimensional audio that makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the action. However, wiring a surround sound system can seem daunting, especially if you're trying to save money. Follow this guide to learn how to wire your home theater for surround sound on a budget.
Choosing Speakers
The first step is selecting the right speakers for your space. Here are some tips:
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Buy speakers incrementally. Start with a basic 3.1 system (left, right, center), then add surrounds later.
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Look for speakers on sale or refurbished. Quality doesn't have to be expensive.
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Bookshelf speakers are compact and affordable. They work well for surrounds.
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Match your speakers for a cohesive sound. Keep brands and models consistent.
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Aim for speakers with at least 80 Hz frequency response. Don't skimp on bass.
I chose a refurbished 5.1 speaker system for under $300 total. Buying refurbished let me get better quality while staying on budget.
Picking an AV Receiver
The AV receiver powers the system and processes surround sound signals. Here's how to choose an affordable option:
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Look for Certified Refurbished receivers. They're steeply discounted.
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Prioritize necessary features like 5.1 channel support, 4K video passthrough, multiple HDMI inputs.
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Older models can be major bargains. Focus on sound quality over new bells and whistles.
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Look for at least 80 watts per channel. This provides enough power.
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Consider accessories too like speaker wire, banana plugs, and HDMI cables.
I snagged a last-generation 7.2 channel 4K receiver for $180. It had all the key features I needed at a fraction of the original price.
Planning Speaker Placement
Proper surround speaker placement is crucial for immersive audio. Follow these home theater wiring best practices:
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Front left and right speakers should be equidistant from the central seating position.
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The center channel goes directly above or below the TV, or just behind a perforated screen.
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Side surrounds should be at ear level and just behind the seating area.
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Rear surrounds should be behind the seating, 5-7 feet apart and slightly angled inward.
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Subwoofer placement is flexible, but corner loading adds bass.
I mapped out a 7.1 layout with front, side, and rear surrounds equidistant from the central couch. This created an evenly enveloping soundstage.
Running Speaker Wire
Now it's time to wire up those surround sound speakers:
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Use 14 or 16 gauge oxygen-free copper speaker wire. Anything thinner may degrade audio.
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For in-wall wiring, use CL2 or CL3 rated wire for safety.
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Run wires neatly along trim and secure with wire guides. Hide them when possible.
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Label each wire channel with tape so you know what speaker it goes to.
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Use banana plugs on the ends for easy connection to receivers and speakers.
I went with 14 gauge in-wall speaker wire purchased in bulk. The 500 foot spool only cost around $60 total.
Connecting Everything
Follow these steps when connecting your home theater components:
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Attach speaker wire to the appropriate terminals on the AV receiver. Follow the channel coding.
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Connect the other wire ends to the matching speakers, + to + and - to -.
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Plug in an HDMI cable from the TV video output to an HDMI input on the receiver.
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Connect 4K media players and game consoles to HDMI inputs on the receiver.
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Turn on the TV input that the receiver is connected to so sound routes properly.
I hooked up my 4K TV, Blu-ray player, and game console via HDMI. The receiver handled all the surround processing and passed the video signal through.
Calibrating the System
To finish setting up your surround sound system:
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Run automatic speaker calibration through your AV receiver. This sets levels and distances.
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Adjust speaker trims to balance front and surround volumes. The center channel usually needs a boost.
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Set speakers to Small mode for proper bass management, unless they are full range floorstanders.
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Make sure any surround sound processing modes like Dolby Pro Logic are turned on.
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Enable dynamic range compression for better clarity at low volumes.
The auto-calibration really balanced out my speaker levels perfectly. I only had to bump up the center channel another +3dB beyond that.
With some wise shopping choices and strategic wiring, I was able to install a stellar surround sound system on a $500 total budget. Following this guide will help you create an immersive home theater audio experience without breaking the bank. Let the surround sound envelop you!