Mounting surround speakers in a prewired environment is easier with wires in place.
Many homes have provisions for surround speakers, the homes having been prewired during construction. The process of mounting the speakers is greatly simplified, with the hard work of running the speaker wire already completed. Given that most prewired surround locations expect in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, a little invasive wall surgery is needed. However, with most architectural speakers' mounting relatively standardized, installation is not a complex matter. What remains is getting the speakers in their final locations.
Instructions
1. Locate the marked prewire spot. This is usually denoted with a blank plate covering the wire, or with a small section of the wire exposed. If a plate is present, remove it with the small flat-head screwdriver.
2. Remove the speaker cutout template from the factory carton, by tearing along the perforations. Place it in the desired mounting location, within reach of the wire. Tape it in place using a few sections of painter's tape.
3. Cut around the template using the drywall saw. Remove the cut section of drywall and set aside.
4. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the end of the speaker wire protruding from the cutout. Twist the bare strands tightly to prevent shorts. Insert the wire into the spring clips on the back of the speaker. Press down on the plastic portion of the clip, insert the wire and release.
5. Insert the speaker by inserting one edge first. Push in the rest of the speaker, centering it in the cutout. Tighten the screws on the speaker's baffle in a crisscross pattern to ensure uniform tightening. Unpackage and press in the grille.
Tags: speaker wire, with small