Speaker wire&wall-to-wall

dutch

dutch

Active Member
Here's the problem:

I need to run some speaker wire under the crummy wall-to-wall carpet in my living room. The speakers are on either side of an archway that goes from the LR to the DR, and my wife has deemed throwing a rug over the wire unacceptable. What is the best, cleanest way to cut into the carpet? Should I go under or over the pad?
Thanks, as always!
 
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You could cut the carpet, slice a small section of the pad out for the wires to fit down into, and then put something thin but somewhat rigid over that and under the carpet to protect the wires. Like a thin piece of sheet metal, rigid plastic sheeting, or even cardboard.
 
If the pad isn't effectively glued to the floor, you could slice a tiny hole at each end and just thread the wire across the opening under the pad (by tying it to something stiff).
 
No access to either the basement or the attic. I like the idea of threading the wire through, though...
 
It's generally not recommended to run wires under carpet because if it gets walked on the wires get mashed together and eventually could short out.
 
something ive done before to run cable was go buy a transition strip from home depot or canadian tire or whatever screw that down across the thresh with the wire running in under it that way it cant get crushed or cut. should note here to pay attention not to screw through the wire itself. if you have a weird size doorway you can buy 6 to 12 foot lengths that you can cut to fit.
 
I should mention here its never a good idea to cut carpet. Eventually it will fray. And as whoaru99 mentioned its not a good idea to run it under the carpet either. Even if you cut the underlay you will always feel that wire under your foot when you step on it. If you decide this is the way you want to do i suggest making your holes as far away from the doors edges possible. As well instead of cutting it get piece of pipe 1/4" or 1/2" and a file and sharpen the end then hammer the pipe down on the carpet to cut it. This way cutting a small circle size piece that can be glued back down at a later date if you move things around.
 
Iv'e had the same issue in one of my setups. Since I grew up in the carpet business I could have just put in a seam in that doorway/Archway but I chose to pull the carpet loose from the tack strip just a smidgen on each side or the doorway and use a coathanger or two to thread the speaker wire under the pad to the other side. I think the pad does a decent job of protecting the wire from the small amount of foot traffic in my home, Iv'e had no issues for a couple of years. I would caution against pulling too much close to the corners though, especially if the baseboards are low.
I hope your not talking about glue down commercial or the old rubberback carpet. If so forget what I said.

Good luck.
 
Speaking of fish tapes, I can highly recommend that you get a fiberglass fish tape. They cost a little more, but they run easier and provide that extra margin of safety.
 
My wife complained for years about the wires running throughout our house. I finally gave in and had an electrician run the wire up through the attic.

I now have speaker connections on the far wall for the surround sound

Just do the job right and be done with it
 
Omegaman said:
My wife complained for years about the wires running throughout our house. I finally gave in and had an electrician run the wire up through the attic.

I now have speaker connections on the far wall for the surround sound

Just do the job right and be done with it
Click to expand...

Pretty sure he said he had no access to an attic or basement.

I have to agree with you though one house i lived in had an unfinished basement and all my wires went down through the floor and back up at the exact locations of my equipment. Looked clean.
 
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