Figured we needed one. Maybe we can expose all these horrific tales, to set some kind of example. Lets see some disasters, and start building what will be a usefull tool, as The Hall of Shame!

I went to bid on a little retro at a salon. For some strange reason, the satisfaction they get with their current setup is deficient. Apparently the installer didn't have a studfinder, a level, or a pair. Yup, just the right channel.









Due to a high volume of quoted posts including pictures, we are no longer accepting tolerance for this matter. Please press 3 to speak to a non english speaking representative, please press 4 to repeat this message.

InWall Mounting 101

At the place where you are just totally sure that speaker will go, cut a hole about 1 1/2" square in the center of it.

Slip a tape measure in and see how far it goes in each direction.

Do this at the other channel locationi, then calculate positions for each that will place them evenly on the wall. Studs are hardly ever symmetrically placed on a wall, so, say, both speakers end up at the left of the stud bay, instead of centered on the stud bay. Sometimes it's worse than that.

THEN figure out what your outline is.

Use only pencil to write the outline. Pen invites the gods to suddenly throw wood blocks in your way while you actually cut.

Carry an eraser anyway.


InWall Mounting 201

Do the same thing, but put blue tape on the wall and write only on that.

an eraser would take forever, i use windex and a couple paper towels

I should have realized, but my method predates "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

site i was working on the other day doing a basement cinema. this was the ventilation that the builders had left. bearing in mind that this has absolutely no other form of ventilation other than the door down into cellar.
im not sure what your regulations are like but this does not cut it here at all.

[IMG][/IMG]

the magic eraser (or generic version ) work miracles ,
cleaning walls after dirty techs is amazing.


just a teeny bit of water, and wipe against the wall
and it will remove 95% of your problems . . at the least.

we dont goto any jobs without it . . 

Hopefully this thread sticks around. Been a long time coming. Slayve, is it at least a single stereo speaker :)?

I learned to do in-walls the way EBG described. After the tape measure i take a look with my dental mirror then i go for it :).

I learned the windex & paper towel trick about 5 years ago from a guy who worked with me for a few months. I have since perfected it with windex wipes. They are easier to store with your gear and they have the perfect amount of windex on them.

Magic erasers are great. I use them at home all the time on all of our flat & eggshell surfaces. Especially handy around light switches and scuffed up hallways.

Ventilation for the electronics? What is that? Is it supposed to be a return? Ridiculous.

I'm not with EBG on his inwall mounting 101.


I prefer:

A. Use a quality stud finder to locate studs, purlins, electrical and plumbing.

If still not certain:

A. Mark center of speaker location lightly with a #2 pencil.

B. Make a hole with a 1/4" punch (easy enough to fill and spackle).

C. Use a piece of "stiff" wire instead of a tape measure.


Same result with less damage to the wall if you're a little off....

Trunk-SS and Ernie-BG - add a heavy magnet to your arsenal. Stud finders are sometimes unreliable. Magnets are 100% accurate on metal studs and can detect nails in wood studs making it easy to see the frame pattern.

Stiff wire does work well. Never used a tape measure.

That's the way I do it.

One of my most used "specialty" tools is a piece of cheesy,free,close hanger!

I can't believe that the guys that did the install in the original post didn't fix their screw up!!!

Did the shop pay the bill? I wouldn't have!

Pics like that make me feel pretty good about myself!!

I just break off 12-18 inches of the ol'fish tape, bend a 90 and spin it, pushing in and out to make sure there's no other pipes in that hole......damn this is a dirty subject.

Nope it's only the right channel, no DVC.

slayve, that's ridiculous to leave all those pencil marks.

I believe those are CRAYON marks.....