Home Automation - In wall speakers

I am installing "in wall" speakers. The walls are framed with 2x4's and drywalled and insulated. How much insulation (how far up and down) should I remove insulation. Is there any merrit in placing a 2x4 across above and below the speaker to "box" it
in, and if so, how close should these be to the speaker?

boonjh: I did exactly what you are doing. I am no stereo expert but I understand the basics of acoustics and sound quality. I put 2 in-wall speaker into 2x4 framed drywalled walls. They sound GREAT! I even used inexpensive 3-way radio shack loudspeakers. I ran the wires when the walls were open, sheetrocked, painted and just had the wire pulling through the wall. I measured spacing, approx, 5 ft high and center between 2 windows around each speaker. I basically cut the insulation back just so the back of the speaker had enough clearance for mounting in the wall. I have no 2x4 above nor below the speaker just the sides (window frames).

I do not know if putting in above and below posts will help but I do know it sounds great without it. The speakers are enhanced (the low frequencies) by the wall acting as an enclosure.

Go for it. You will not be unhappy. If you want more info, pretend like you want to buy them at some high end store and ask for thier help. Then buy them whereever you like. Peace: e3 - spamman

I earn a living designing and installing custom A/V systems. There is a good reason we charge for consultation. I am not sure that advising people to 'pretend' (in other words:Lie) to be interested just to dupe someone like me into providing 'free' information is a good idea. At least be up-front with your intentions. Good guys are willing to provide at least some info, but I can say from experience that if we sense someone is 'pretending' just to milk us for info, WE may be inclined to 'pretend' to give them good info and advice when we are really providing them a bunch of confusing crap. Let the buyer and the seller both beware.

boonjh, I recommend asking your question over at www.avsforum.com -- there are forums that specialize in home theater design and installation (and many of the posters are professionals who give good, solid advice).

I do agree that being deceitful to a high end shop is, well, of poor character. I also think that doctorhifi is shooting himself in the foot by giving bad advice. I may shop around local stores, and you can be sure that anyone who gives me bad advice will not get my business in the future.

Finally, please do yourself and get some good inwall speakers. Traditional inwall's are already facing massive problems with fidelity, and poor installation or cheap components will sound awful in the long run.

Z,

I wanted to clarify my previous post. I was not trying to imply that I am one of those that lies to clients. I have been in this business for 17 years and have worked with many who are all too willing to lead someone astray if they sense they are wasting their time. I am not one of those. You can search this forum for past responses from me and see that I have provided plenty of free information. I wouldn't frequent this forum if I wasnt interested in assisting DIYers and learning from their questions. There is obviously no money to be made in the forum for any of us. In my daily workings with the public, If I run across someone I think is 'pretending' to be interested for the purpose of getting information so they can go somewhere else and save a few dollars, I will directly ask them if that is their intentions. Then I will re-explain why I charge what I charge and the value-added aspect of the services I provide. Then everyone can agree how to proceed.
Sorry if I came across the wrong way or gave the impression I would be disingenuous with my answers.

Doctorhifi

Are there in-wall speakers that would attach to a stud? I have a problem where I put a face plate attached to a stud as a marker for future in-wall speakers. The majoring of in-wall speakers suggest to place them far from studs since they won't hook to the drywall, if too close to a stud. Thanks.

I have seen a speaker that will attach to a stud.
The technology was originally developed for the Navy, to keep barnicals of the hulls of ships, it didnt work to well for that, but when I lived in Florida I had business dealings with a guy you was appling this technology for use in homes. He had a room where he had speakers inside the walls, he had a coffee table with speakers in it, and a few pieces of furnature.
the biggest thing he was trying to overcome was the buzzing noise that comes from walls or furnature that isnt assembled tightly.
In a nice tight wall..it sounded very good.

You don't need to box in the speaker, and you should only remove insulation if it impedes the speaker going in to place. The insulation will not effect speaker performance.