Hi all,
I have just remodeled my home and been up to the process of running wire in-wall. (The TV and speaker set are in the living room while the component cabinet is on the other side of the wall).

Here's what I got:

Denon AVR 2308ci receiver
Emotiva XPA-5 amp (just purchased)
Speaker set: Polk lsi15 front speakers + Polk lsi fx rear speakers + Polk LSiC center speaker + Polk DSW 100 subwoofer (just purchased this whole set)


I would like to ask for advice on which type of audio cables to buy for this as well as how to connect the speakers correctly. Thanks for any advice :)

Go with a 12ga monoprice speaker cable, in wall is cl2 wire.

Don't let anyone tell you that monster cable or any other speaker wire that's stupidly expensive is any better than any other speaker wire. All that matters is using the right size (gauge) wire for the right distance. 12ga will cover all your needs (with room to spare)

As for speaker wire lengths, don't let anyone tell you the speaker wires must all be the same length or the same length for the paired speakers. It's all garbage. Use the shortest length possible and leave yourself about 6"-10" for a service loop just in case.

For connectors, you can use banana plugs (i like the locking kind from cobalt cable) or just bare copper wire. Bare copper gives the safest connection (less chance of something coming loose on a banana plug and jacking up your signal) but with bare copper you'll have to pull a little and trim it every 5 or 6 years as it oxidizes to maintain that "like new" connection.

For your sub cable, a length of rg6 with either regular coax ends and an rca adaptor or just install regular rca ends if you can. Keep this cable as far away from standard electrical wiring as you can. Being too close to it can introduce a 60hz "hum" that your sub will think is signal from the amp and reproduce. If you must go near a power line, cross it perpendicularly and then keep at least 3"-6" away from it if it has to run parallel for any distance.

I use peerless 731/732 wall mounts because they carry the speaker wire inside them, and will support up to 20lbs.

Don't believe the hype about huge money speaker cabling (or any other for that matter). Unless you are building a superconductor or a particle accelerator you don't need to worry about it. Science has proven it over and over and over again.

Here's a good article to refer to as the "brainwashed speaker wire salesmen" start to come out of the woodwork - like they always do.

Roger-Russel's article (http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm)

Hi all,
I have just remodeled my home and been up to the process of running wire in-wall. (The TV and speaker set are in the living room while the component cabinet is on the other side of the wall).

Here's what I got:

Denon AVR 2308ci receiver
Emotiva XPA-5 amp (just purchased)
Speaker set: Polk lsi15 front speakers + Polk lsi fx rear speakers + Polk LSiC center speaker + Polk DSW 100 subwoofer (just purchased this whole set)


I would like to ask for advice on which type of audio cables to buy for this as well as how to connect the speakers correctly. Thanks for any advice :)
Before you worry about connecting the speakers, you need to consider how you will use the Emotiva power amp. I don't think your receiver has pre-amp outputs. Therefore, you have no way to connect the power amp to the receiver. :confused: You either need to get a different receiver that has pre-amp outputs, or return the power amp and just use the amps in the receiver. :(

Craig

Damn, nice catch!

Missed that completely.

Before you worry about connecting the speakers, you need to consider how you will use the Emotiva power amp. I don't think your receiver has pre-amp outputs. Therefore, you have no way to connect the power amp to the receiver. :confused: You either need to get a different receiver that has pre-amp outputs, or return the power amp and just use the amps in the receiver. :(

Craig


Thank you, Craig and Goros.
Sorry, I mistyped the type of receiver. It was a Denon AVR 2808ci (got it at the end of last year: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15394869&highlight=#post15394869 :)). Will this one work with the Emo?
If yes, two more question:

Do I need to run bi wiring from the amp to the speakers for this set?
Running speakers into Emo, then Emo into the Denon receiver, can I still run the Denon receiver's Audyssey EQ as normal?

Thank you, Craig and Goros.
Sorry, I mistyped the type of receiver. It was a Denon AVR 2808ci (got it at the end of last year: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15394869&highlight=#post15394869 :)). Will this one work with the Emo?
Yes it will. It has the requisite Pre-amp outs.

If yes, two more question:

Do I need to run bi wiring from the amp to the speakers for this set?
IMO, and the general consensus on this forum is "No". Bi-wiring is a myth generated by the speaker wire manufacturers to sell more wire. Just get large enough gauge wire for the single run. 12 to 14 Ga. should suffice depending on your lengths. (Don't buy expensive interconnects or power cords either. Spend your money on acoustic treatments.

Running speakers into Emo, then Emo into the Denon receiver, can I still run the Denon receiver's Audyssey EQ as normal?
Yes, Audyssey doesn't care which amplifiers you use. All the processing happens before the amps.

Craig

That'll do! Once again, thank you very much, Craig and Goros :)

That'll do! Once again, thank you very much, Craig and Goros :)
Good luck with your system, and be sure to check back and let us know how it works out.

Craig

Good luck with your system, and be sure to check back and let us know how it works out.

Craig


The in-wall 12ga speaker wire and rg6u for sub is on the way :) I surely will update this topic with news and pics.

For connections from Emo amp to Denon processor, should I use anything specifically?
Also, I plan to put the center (lsi/c) and rear speakers (lsi fx) on speaker stands. Any recommendation on the stands?

A question: is the below the right type of cable to connect the Emo amp to the Denon processor? (5 of them for 5 channels)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2680&seq=1&format=2

A question: is the below the right type of cable to connect the Emo amp to the Denon processor? (5 of them for 5 channels)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2680&seq=1&format=2

Those will work just fine, & so will product #619 at only $1.02 each.:cool:

Those will work just fine, & so will product #619 at only $1.02 each.:cool:

Thanks for sharing knowledge :)

Good luck with your system, and be sure to check back and let us know how it works out.

Craig

As promised, here are a few pics taken today:

1. Living room front sets: Polk Audio LSi15's - Polk Audio LSiC (it still stands on a temporary binder :D because the stand hasn't arrived: http://www.amazon.com/Lovan-Center-Channel-Speaker-Stand/dp/B000OOQYWU) - Polk Audio DSW microPro 4000 (The DSW microPro 4000 sub is sitting on an Auralex SubDude HD to stop its wandering while performing :D)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/4134388186_938a992727_o.jpg

2. Living room corner: surround speakers are Polk Audio LSiFX's (too limited space for them :()
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/4134388416_3efa46f97c_o.jpg

3. Bedroom - while awaiting the arrival of new furniture: Zone 2: Polk Audio LSi9's - Polk Audio DSW microPro 1000 (the DSW microPro 1000 sub is sitting on an old laptop --- this little sub can also walk the walk :D)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/4134388688_2106b53a2f_o.jpg

4. Shared components for both living room and bedroom: Denon AVR 2808ci - Oppo BDP83 - DirecTV HR23 - old Yamaha LaserDisc/Karaoke player - Emotiva XPA5 (this amp is for driving the living room's 5 speakers)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4133627327_430aa2a7d1_o.jpg


To celebrate my remodeled living room, I popped in the Andrea Bocelli's Vivere live in Tuscany bluray disc: the sound is DIVINE http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/icons/icon14.gif