Home entertainment has come a long way from the days of old TV cabinets and two-channel stereo equipment in the living room. This is the digital age and thus, technology as invaded the living room in a big way. The stereo equipment your dad had is not the same system that will greet you when you go to the electronic store when you shop around for stereo equipment for your home. Being the manly man that you are, you’ll have to learn how to wire a stereo system.
Here are some things you should consider when wiring a stereo system in your home.
Get a lay of the land, so to speak
Assess the kind of system you are planning to install in your living room or entertainment area. First, consider the equipment you have. Typically, a stereo system will be composed of the transport (the equipment that will play your media – a DVD player, Bluray player or CD player), the speakers, the subwoofer and the amplifier. Subwoofers are considered extra equipment if you just want
a simple stereo system though adding a subwoofer to your system will give you extra bass that your system may just need especially if you also plan to use it for playing movies. If you are going to setup a surround sound system then you’ll need at least four speakers (you only need two speakers for a stereo system). The two additional speakers are placed at the back of the room. Remember to check if your home entertainment system (your receiver) can decode the various surround sound modes.
Location
Place all of the stereo equipment in the area where you have designated for these equipment. Make sure that it is accessible and you won’t have any trouble reaching them. Now locate the area where you want to put your speakers. The front speakers are, obviously, going to face you. This is going to be beside the TV if you are wiring it for a surround sound system. You should also identify where to put your sub. Place it in a discreet corner but test it first to see if its
location maximizes its output and doesn’t make it too boomy. The surround speakers are placed at the back of where you will sit to watch TV to fully encompass you with sound.
The basics of stereo wiring
Now it’s time to wire your system. To ensure that you’ll get the maximum performance from your system and get the best sound possible, don’t just use lamp cord to wire your stereo sytem. Buy speaker wires that are specifically made for wiring stereo systems. It doesn’t have to be the expensive kind of speaker wire. One of the basic things you need to watch out for is to put the wires in the correct terminals. Connect the red wires in the positive terminal of both your amplifier and speakers and the black wires to the negative terminals. Make sure to attach them firmly to prevent grounding your system or your speakers. Have enough wire that will span the space between your speakers and your stereo equipment.