Surround sound installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What surround sound installation is

Surround sound installation positions speakers, runs the cables, connects the receiver and sets the levels and distances so sound surrounds the listening area evenly from the front, side and rear channels. People hire it when the sound feels thin, one side is louder than the other, or the speakers never quite fill the room.

Signs you need it

  • Dialogue is hard to hear over the music and sound effects
  • The sound is louder on one side of the room than the other
  • The speakers are sitting on shelves or in corners and do not fill the room
  • You want rear speakers, a center speaker or a subwoofer that matches the front speakers
  • You are moving into a room with a new receiver and want the speakers set up correctly

What the pro does

  • Plan the speaker positions for the front, center, side and rear channels based on the seating
  • Mount or place the speakers at the height and angle that suits the listening position
  • Run the speaker wire to each position, keeping it away from power cables and heat sources
  • Connect the speakers to the receiver or amplifier, matching the polarity on each terminal
  • Set the speaker distances, levels and crossovers in the receiver, then run the automatic calibration
  • Play test tones and sample material, then adjust the levels and show the owner how to change the volume balance

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of channels and speakers, such as a basic set or a larger surround layout
  • Whether speakers are freestanding, wall mounted, in-wall or in-ceiling
  • Cable runs through walls, ceilings and floors, and how much finished surface must be opened
  • Subwoofer placement and any need for a second subwoofer
  • Receiver or amplifier power and whether an external amplifier is needed
  • Room size and shape, and any acoustic problems that need treatment
  • Access to the wall and ceiling for the speaker wire routes

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each speaker listed by model and location, with the channel it covers
  • Speaker wire type, gauge and length for each run
  • Mounts, brackets and in-wall or in-ceiling hardware as separate lines
  • Receiver or amplifier model, and whether it is included or already owned
  • Calibration and level setup, shown as its own line
  • Warranty on the speakers, the receiver and the labor, and who handles claims

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you decide where each speaker goes for my seating?
  • What speaker wire will you use, and how are the runs routed?
  • Will you calibrate the sound, and what tool do you use?
  • Do you need to open the walls or ceiling, and who repairs them?
  • What acoustic changes would you suggest for this room, and what does each one do?
  • What does the warranty cover for the speakers and the receiver?

Red flags

  • They place the speakers without checking the seating position
  • They use thin wire for long runs, or cut and splice cable inside the wall
  • They skip the speaker polarity check and the calibration
  • They run speaker wire beside power cables or heat sources
  • They leave the sound levels set for their own ears rather than yours

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can test speaker positions by playing sound from each spot and listening from the seating, and can connect speakers to a receiver that is already set up. Do not add outlets or power circuits yourself, and check for wiring, pipes and framing before you open a wall or ceiling to run speaker wire. Call a pro for in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, cable runs and calibration.

Licenses and permits

Surround sound installation usually does not need a contractor license for speakers and wire, but any new outlet, power circuit or permit-required wall work does. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building office for the requirements that apply.

Surround sound installation questions

Are in-wall speakers better than freestanding speakers?

In-wall speakers look clean and free up floor space, but they need walls opened and cable run. Freestanding speakers are easier to place and to move. Ask the installer which fits your walls and how the sound will compare.

Why are my rear speakers too loud?

Rear speakers are often set too high in the receiver's levels, or placed too close to the listening position. Ask the installer to recalibrate the levels and check the distances so the rears blend with the front.

Do I need a subwoofer?

A subwoofer adds low bass that smaller speakers cannot reproduce well. Ask the installer whether your speakers need one, and where it should sit in the room to avoid boomy bass.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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