What kinds of cables are needed in a typical home theater ?

[ahmadka]

Hi guys .. So I'm setting up my very first home theater, and was wondering was kinds of cables, wires, sockets, ports, etc .. will I be needing ?

I know about the HDMI cables which will be needed for video stuff, but I'm clueless in all other departments ..

Here is my hardware:

Projectors: JVC RS-46 + Optoma HD131Xe
A/V Receiver: Denon-X4000
Speakers: 2x KEF Q900, KEF Q600, 2x Q300, 2x Q800DS
Sub: 2x PSA XV15

So what cables will I typically need to connect speakers, subs, etc to the receiver, and any other cabling accessories maybe ?

What kinds of banana plugs should I first try out ? (Yes I've searched and read a few threads on this)

[Canada]

I would get a RedMere HDMI cable if I were you, I have no idea about what banana plugs you should or the speaker wire I got mine from the local high end audio I bought my B&W speakers. I have heard everything Monoprice has is great but I only have experience with the HDMI cables (non RedMere ones).

[Mr.Twinks]

^+1! What Canada said! All of my stuff is connected with Monoprice cables and I even use their HDbaseT HDMI extender that works perfectly.

[roar]

Originally Posted by ahmadka

Hi guys .. So I'm setting up my very first home theater, and was wondering was kinds of cables, wires, sockets, ports, etc .. will I be needing ?

I know about the HDMI cables which will be needed for video stuff, but I'm clueless in all other departments ..

Here is my hardware:

Projectors: JVC RS-46 + Optoma HD131Xe
A/V Receiver: Denon-X4000
Speakers: 2x KEF Q900, KEF Q600, 2x Q300, 2x Q800DS
Sub: 2x PSA XV15

So what cables will I typically need to connect speakers, subs, etc to the receiver, and any other cabling accessories maybe ?

What kinds of banana plugs should I first try out ? (Yes I've searched and read a few threads on this)

HDMI from AVR to Projectors, speaker wire from speakers to AVR and a composite(RCA) cable from your subs to the AVR.

What kind of banana plugs? Lots to choose from and I find them cheap, grab a couple of different pairs and see what you like working with. Can you solder? That will allow you to use different types of banana plugs, but the twist on types do really work fine.

http://www.monoprice.com is a good retailer to purchase all this stuff from at very reasonable prices, if you want to pay more you certainly can, http://www.bluejeanscable.com/ is I site I have read lots of good things from. For me, my theatre is just about 100% monoprice cables.

Speaker cable wise, the lower the gauge the thicker the cable and I'm told the thicker the better, particularly for long runs.

Are you running any of this cable in your walls or ceiling? If so consider in-wall rated cables.

There is loads of information on cables on this site, in this sub-forum and the one below this one, https://forum.blu-ray.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92, search away to find more info, you've started with some really general questions, the more you read the more specific your questions can be and the better help you can get.

[crazyBLUE]

All from Monoprice

Speaker wire ~ Just make sure you order enough, Can never have to much

http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_...&cs_id=1023901

Banana Plugs ~ you will need 2 pairs (sets) for each wire.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_i...seq=1&format=2

RCA cable to connect the subwoofer to receiver:

http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_...&cs_id=1023603

[darkpoet25]

Aside from Monoprice there is also Parts Express and another popular place is Blue Jeans Cable. For speaker wire, 14awg is fine for a single run under 50ft., and 12awg for over 50ft. Going with 12awg is perfectly fine and most people go with that to be on the safe side. As far as banana plugs I use the Monoprice and they are fine for me. Do take note however that they will not enhance sound quality, but do make it easier to plug and unplug the speaker wire should you change equipment or move anything.

[ahmadka]

If I'm putting a cable inside the acoustic wall cladding layer, does it count has being in-ceiling ? What about if the cable has to be run through ducts ?

Above questions are for both speaker, subwoofer wires, and HDMI cables ..

[rpatt]

I second the Redmere HDMI cable suggestion. I have the 50' Redmere from Monoprice. It is working flawlessly, even with 3D material. The best part is the relative thinness of the cable. The one I had before was too thick and would not fit into the raceway I had and would not bend easily for corners.

[mtbdudexdad]

My additions to this thread:
Cat 5e/6 is great for hard wire controls, so I'd run (2) to your PJ to AVR rack, and (1) to your screen (in case of future auto masking set-up).
You can run RS-232 and IR over Cat5e/6.

also, smoke alarm in HT is a MUST, so run 14/3 there so you can connect into your existing smoke alarm circuit.
(don't want the fire to burn while the volume is high)

Use in-wall rated wire if you are running wires in wall.

I'd run (2) HDMI's to your PJ, future proof for 4k / 3D at high bandwidth rates.

That Denon handles 9.2, or if you add external amp it can handle 11.2?
Suggest you pre-wire for as much as you think you will have, speaker wise, then consider wides/heights in addition to the traditional 7.x set-up.

pre-wire for multiple subs, at least 2 same size, 4 is better.

[ahmadka]

Some nice suggestions there ... keeping them coming

I can't quite figure out if I need 'in-wall' wires or the normal ones ..

In my room the walls have already been built, so I can't do anything 'in-wall' at this point .. The best I can do is try to conceal the wires through either visible ducting (that runs along the edges of the walls), or maybe try to conceal it when I get someone to apply padding on my walls to acoustically treat the walls ...

Which option is here, and so which type of wires should I be looking for ?

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by ahmadka

Some nice suggestions there ... keeping them coming

I can't quite figure out if I need 'in-wall' wires or the normal ones ..

In my room the walls have already been built, so I can't do anything 'in-wall' at this point .. The best I can do is try to conceal the wires through either visible ducting (that runs along the edges of the walls), or maybe try to conceal it when I get someone to apply padding on my walls to acoustically treat the walls ...

Which option is here, and so which type of wires should I be looking for ?

It doesn't sound like the in-wall wires are required for what you have, however when buying from monoprice, I typically buy the in-wall wiring regardless of whether I need them because I prefer the two separate wires protected by the white outer coating. For me its easier to work with.

It would be good if you could post a picture of the room so we could give you some suggestions on hiding the wires. There are a lot of unique solutions to make it look good. Hiding wires to me is one of the most important parts of having a finished looking set up.

Depending on your set-up I would also suggest using an HDMI port saver on your connection to the projector and the AVR. Those long cables aren't the most plyable and I know two people who have broken the ends of monoprice hdmi cables because they were trying to make an off angle connection.

[ahmadka]

Would it be okay to just buy the CL2 rated wires, regardless of how I end up using them ?

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by ahmadka

Would it be okay to just buy the CL2 rated wires, regardless of how I end up using them ?

Yes, definitely, I prefer them

[Canada]

Originally Posted by Canada

I would get a RedMere HDMI cable if I were you, I have no idea about what banana plugs you should or the speaker wire I got mine from the local high end audio I bought my B&W speakers. I have heard everything Monoprice has is great but I only have experience with the HDMI cables (non RedMere ones).

Why I suggested the RedMere cable is it can transfer higher data rates over longer cables and should be able to transfer 4K material when it becomes available. Although you probably don't have 4K a lot of pictures are in 4K or larger and if you have a retina display you can display 4K content on your TV there is the Redray player or this on from Sony 4K Player ( I am not 100% sure so don't quote me on this but I believe these players only work with Sony TV's). Some stuff on youtube and vimeo stream in 4K.

[ahmadka]

Got another question .. Which speaker wire do I need ? The 2-conductor one, or the 4-conductor one ? ..

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by ahmadka

Got another question .. Which speaker wire do I need ? The 2-conductor one, or the 4-conductor one ? ..

2-conductor would be sufficient