For most people who aren’t tech geeks, installing a sound system is a painfully frustrating experience. It can be even more of a nuisance if you can’t wait to experience your new gadget at full blast.
If all those wires have got you agitated, read on for our guide to installing a sound system in your mobile home.
Steps to installing your sound system
In this guide, we are going to cover the essential information for setting up a sound system that spans throughout your entire mobile home. There are a lot of possible variables like how many rooms and how many sources you will include.
It’s up to you to work this out based on your preferences and floorplan.
A word of caution before we start, the project can be quite tricky to do on your own. So depending on your plan, you might need to hire a contractor.
List of supplies
Before we jump into the steps, let’s look at the basic supplies that you’ll need for this installation:
- Measuring tape
- Handheld drill
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Audio cables
- Banana plugs
- Receiver
- Drywall saw
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- Stepladder
- Stud finder
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Wire stripper/cutter
- Stud finder
- Mud rings
- Fishing tape
- Glow rods
- Port plates
1 – Read the manual
The manual probably won’t tell you how to install the system, but it will give instructions on how to connect the different wires and devices. We also recommend you check it near the start, in case you need to get some additional supplies.
On top of this, it will tell you if there are any big “no-nos” with this specific sound system.
2 – Finding the sweet spot
To get the best out of your speakers, spend some time to consider what would be the optimal position.
You will need to be an expert to gauge the exact acoustic properties of each room. Luckily there are a few simple guidelines that anyone can follow.
First off, you don’t want to place the speakers flush against the wall. Secondly, you should angle them towards the place you will be sitting. Thirdly, you would ideally place them as close to your ear level as possible.
We recommend that you buy a set that is meant for multi-room use. Or a surround sound system that is at least 5.1. This way, you can install the three main speakers in the most important room and spread the others throughout. You can sometimes connect extra ones to the surround sound setup.
3 – Place the speakers
Once you have figured out the layout for your sound system, you can begin to install the speakers.
If they are freestanding ones, you only need to place them in the right spot. Or else you can buy ready-made stands or wall-mounted brackets for each one like these. You might need a stud finder at this point.
To install brackets to the walls, first, find a stud. Hold it against the wall and mark the spots for drilling holes then secure it using standard drywall or wood screws. If you cannot anchor it to a stud, then use drywall anchors to support the weight.
You could also use regular shelving. However, this can be less than ideal if they are up high, and the speakers need to be angled.
4 – Choosing and installing the receiver
There is a lot of debate on whether receivers are necessary and if so, which ones to get. However, you will need one to be able to control the sound in the different rooms.
Put it in an easily-accessible spot in the main room, possibly close to the audio source. Just make sure the place is well ventilated because they tend to overheat.
5 – Work out the wiring
Next, you need to connect all the different devices with audio cables. In general, this will be the most challenging part. Because most mobile homes don’t have attic access, you need to run the wires through the walls.
Use a stud finder to locate any obstacles in the walls as well as the studs. Pick locations that are as close to the devices as possible.
Mark out an open spot and drill a hole into the corners. Afterward, cut out the gap. Do the same on the other side of the wall. Install a mud ring over the edges of each. Remember that you can only thread the wired through in a vertical direction.
Now you need to run the cables. First, use fishing tape to stick the glow rod to the wire. Slowly push it through and check for it with a flashlight on the other side. When this is done, you can install a nose plate over the first hole and a port plate over the second.
You will need to repeat this step for each speaker and each room.
If you need to extend the audio cables, one of the best ways to do this is with banana plugs.
A wireless system is much quicker and requires far less effort to set up. You only need to connect the different speakers via Bluetooth or wifi to the receiver before you mount them.
6 – Test the system
Finally, you can test your fancy new equipment. Plug it all in and turn on some music.
First, check that all the speakers are working. Afterward, spend some time listening to the sound. Ask a friend to tilt the speakers into different directions while you do this just to make sure that everything is all set.
Pure harmony
Adding a sound system to your mobile home will be a fantastic upgrade. You’ll never look back once everything is up and running. We have looked at one of the simplest ways to set this up, but there are lots of ways you can personalize this type of setup.
If you want to make more improvements, check out how to upgrade your ceiling fixtures (lights and fans).
