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mounting speaker to drywall

4502 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by catinthehat85, May 24, 2021

Teletha

Discussion Starter · May 17, 2021

Hey

I wonder if anyone have done a 1 sheet drywall mount of a 7-8 KG speaker (no stud mounts)?
im using this

im thinking of using 4 molly bolts but im a bit afraid that they are to close together adding the weight to tightly.

Maybe someone has done it and can confirm it working good?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

mhutchins

· #2 · May 17, 2021

There should be no problem supporting the weight. Over time, however, the mount may sag due to the cantilevered weight if the drywall is not stiff enough. If that should happen, you could add a small plywood doubler plate between the mount and the drywall to spread the load over a greater area.

Mike

Reactions: 1

BIGmouthinDC

· #3 · May 18, 2021 (Edited)

I have those mounts holding some surround speakers on my office wall. I would never consider attaching to a single layer of drywall. I sunk screws into studs.

Everyone

· #4 · May 18, 2021

I have those exact same mounts. Haven't installed them yet, but I will be using the same snap toggle bolts that I used to mount my 15lb Atmos speakers to the ceiling for a couple of them where the studs aren't close enough to where I want to place them.
These:
TOGGLER SNAPTOGGLE BA Toggle Anchor, Zinc-Plated Steel Channel, Made in US, 3/8" to 3-5/8" Grip Range, For 3/16"-24 UNC Fastener Size (Pack of 100): AmazonSmile: Industrial & Scientific

dlweninger

· #5 · May 18, 2021

Everyone said:
I have those exact same mounts. Haven't installed them yet, but I will be using the same snap toggle bolts that I used to mount my 15lb Atmos speakers to the ceiling for a couple of them where the studs aren't close enough to where I want to place them.
These:
TOGGLER SNAPTOGGLE BA Toggle Anchor, Zinc-Plated Steel Channel, Made in US, 3/8" to 3-5/8" Grip Range, For 3/16"-24 UNC Fastener Size (Pack of 100): AmazonSmile: Industrial & Scientific

But the problem with this anchor and 90% of the other anchors is they are designed that the bolt to be tightened down all the way. But I need to leave it sticking out about a 1/4 inch or so to engage with the key holes. my surrounds weigh 29lbs each

Mike Lang

· #6 · May 18, 2021

I would never attempt to hang 30 pounds on nothing but a single point on a single sheet of drywall.

Teletha

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 18, 2021

Mike Lang said:
I would never attempt to hang 30 pounds on nothing but a single point on a single sheet of drywall.

what does this sentence mean? it sounds like you would only mount it on a single point on a single sheet of drywall and nothing else? I'm guessing u mean the opposite of what im thinking here? If that's the case what would you say for 16 punds instead of 30?

Mike Lang

· #8 · May 18, 2021

Somehow you've interpreted the exact opposite of what I wrote.

Teletha

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 18, 2021

Mike Lang said:
Somehow you've interpreted the exact opposite of what I wrote.

haha my bad! what are your thoughts on 15~pounds instead of 30?

Mike Lang

· #10 · May 18, 2021

15 should be fine with a good quality anchor but at 30 I'd just be waiting for it to rip itself out of the wall. What would happen to a child or animal under a free falling 30 pound box?

Reactions: 2

Everyone

· #11 · May 19, 2021

dlweninger said:
But the problem with this anchor and 90% of the other anchors is they are designed that the bolt to be tightened down all the way. But I need to leave it sticking out about a 1/4 inch or so to engage with the key holes. my surrounds weigh 29lbs each

The mounts in question here don't use key holes.

dlweninger

· #12 · May 19, 2021

Mike Lang said:
I would never attempt to hang 30 pounds on nothing but a single point on a single sheet of drywall.

My Polk LSIM702 surrounds are massive speakers, they have two Key holes in each speaker, I was thinking of using some 1/2 MDF (painted black) cut slightly smaller than the dimensions of the back of the speaker. Than I would use two or four anchors to hold it to the wall (depends if some of the screws can hit a stud), then two screws to hold the speaker to the board.

Mike Lang

· #13 · May 19, 2021

dlweninger said:
My Polk LSIM702 surrounds are massive speakers, they have two Key holes in each speaker, I was thinking of using some 1/2 MDF (painted black) cut slightly smaller than the dimensions of the back of the speaker. Than I would use two or four anchors to hold it to the wall (depends if some of the screws can hit a stud), then two screws to hold the speaker to the board.

As long as you hit at least one stud, you're fine.

mhutchins

· #14 · May 23, 2021

2

Here is some data from the Project Farm YouTube comparing various drywall anchors in 1/2" standard drywall:

As you can see, any single wall anchor could support your speaker if the mounting method provides a strictly sheer load on the anchor. With a cantilevered load, the lower anchors will be acting predominantly in sheer while the upper anchors are mostly in tension. Assuming a worst case geometry of a 2:1 support arm length to support plate vertical length, the pullout tension is roughly 40Lbs (2 x (8Kg speaker + the bracket weight)~ 40Lbs). The bracket has three holes at the top, so each anchor for the top of the bracket would be subjected to less than 15Lbs of pullout force. Thus any of the anchors tested would be more than adequate to support your speaker with the bracket shown and would have more than a 200% safety margin.

Disclaimer: I'm not a mechanical engineer but I like to watch videos where stuff gets wrecked in the name of science!

Mike

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Reactions: 2

BIGmouthinDC

· #15 · May 23, 2021

Keep in mind that drywall strength deteriorates over time and exposure to humidity. It is worth the effort to see if you can hit a stud.

Reactions: 1

squared80

· #16 · May 24, 2021

Cut a hole in your drywall. Install a horizontal stud or two between two vertical studs. Patch the hole. Never worry about it again.

Reactions: 3

catinthehat85

· #17 · May 24, 2021

Drywall was never intented to support large objects like this, although the strength of a new sheet of drywall is oftentimes more than adequate. It’s like Jeff mentioned above, over time drywall can easily lose strength due to moisture, as well as other factors. Personally I would feel comfortable hanging large pictures with the proper anchors, but I would never hang something on drywall alone with any sort of dynamic properties (speakers, shelves, etc). It just depends on what kind of safety margin you’re willing to accept. I wouldn’t judge someone who went this route, it’s just not what I would do.

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