If you want a tech DIY project that will enhance the enjoyment of your home you could arrange to install a sound system and connect up a home theater for that true movie experience.
This is the sort of task that should be within your scope as a DIY enthusiast as long as you prepare properly and have all the right tools for the job at your disposal.
Here is a look at what steps to follow, including working out the best spot for installing your home theater, tips on getting the best sound and vision performance, plus how to hide your wiring for a professional job.
Best Place for Your Home Theater
The first thing to do is consider the size and layout of the room you are going to be using so that you can fit a TV and speakers that are appropriate and deliver the best results.
Work out where you will be putting your seating and the angle and distance there will be from the screen and the speakers. Take into account the shape of the room as this can have an impact on the acoustics.
Also, think about natural and artificial lighting and how this might influence your positioning of the TV screen. Once you have worked out the best place for your home theater you can set to work arranging the installation of the wiring.
Out of Sight
Speakers that are strategically placed around your room will deliver an amazing sound experience when you are watching your favorite movie or just listening to music but you don’t want to see the wiring as it can be a bit of an eyesore.
If you are going to achieve a professional installation standard you need to find a suitable way of channeling and hiding the low-voltage speaker wires.
One solution would be to install plastic raceways, which are a low-impact way of running wires along your wall and can even be painted to blend in with your decor so that they don’t stand out.
Within Your Walls
Using plastic raceways is a quick and easy installation solution but from an aesthetic point of view, it will often look much better if you can hide the wiring inside your walls so that you only see the speakers.
One way of doing this would be to cut a hole in the wall that is sufficient for a junction box where the speaker wires can be dropped down or through to where they need to go.
Always check for the presence of live wiring using voltage and panel meters like these so that you can work safely and know where you can and can’t start drilling and passing cables through.
Other tools you will likely need to have for this project include a cordless drill, tape measure, some electrical tape, a wire stripper, and a fish tape to help you pull the wires through the walls.
Installing a home theater might seem daunting at first glance but if you take your time working out the layout and hide the wires properly you should end up with a system that will give you hours of enjoyment.
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