Tame your home theater cable tangles
by Crutchfield's Ralph Graves
Jul 03, 2024
In a nutshell: Your home theater system should be a source of joy — both for sound and appearance. If yours looks like an explosion in a spaghetti factory, read on.
Most systems have three problem areas:
- Scraggly wires hanging down from a wall-mounted TV
- A snarled mass of cables connecting components in the back of an A/V cabinet
- Loose wires snaking across the room to rear surround speakers
This article is about simple, inexpensive remedies for each of these issues.
1. Use wire ties to bundle cables
Have more than one cable running to or from your TV, cable box, or receiver? Bundle them up with ties.
Some wire ties are reusable — like the Grizzly Supply Reusable Cable Ties. They're a great option for renters.
Here are four tips for using ties effectively:
- After routing and connecting cables, bundle at one end. This makes them easier to handle.
- Don’t cinch the ties too tight. They can crimp the wires and damage their insulation.
- Snip off any excess from the ties for a clean look.
- Bundle A/V cables and power cables separately.
2. Secure your wire bundles
Adhesive pads designed to work with wire ties can be attached to walls. These can help keep rear channel speaker wires out of the way by securing them to your wall’s molding.
These adhesives can also hold a cable bundle running from a wall-mounted TV flat against the wall for a neater appearance. You can also use them to fasten wires and wire bundles to the back of your A/V cabinet.
You can also attach your bundles using cable clamps.
Be sure to match the shape and the size of the clamp to the cable. Use screws rather than tacks to secure these clamps. They're more secure, and you can easily remove and reattach them if you rearrange your cables.
3. Use raceways to conceal cables
You don’t have to run wires inside walls to conceal them. Raceways are plastic or wooden channels that conceal and protect wires and wire bundles.
Raceways attach easily to walls and baseboards. Most are paintable, so you can make them blend into the background and virtually disappear.
Raceways come in different sizes. If you’re concealing a cable bundle, make sure the raceway is big enough to comfortably fit over it.
4. Label everything
Labeling your wires ensures you can easily identify each of your cables. You'll be able to quickly swap out a component without losing track of what's what.
Crutchfield’s color-coded CableLabels are a great solution. They come pre-printed with all the most commonly used components in an A/V system.
You can also make your own labels. The important thing is to do so — even if your system’s small and relatively simple. As it grows, you’ll be glad your cables were organized from the start.
5. Organize the cables behind your equipment rack
Bundling cables can bring the mass of wires behind a rack or A/V cabinet under control. Wire ties are the best solution here.
Remember to bundle power cables and A/V cables separately. That minimizes the chance that electromagnetic interference from power cables will degrade your system’s performance.
You can also use tacks or adhesive pads to secure bundles to the back of your rack or cabinet.
6. Secure loose wires running to rear surround speakers
Wires running to rear speakers should be secured so you won't step on them or trip over them.
Running wires under carpeting isn’t recommended — especially in high traffic areas. If the wires are continually stepped on, over time their insulation can get rubbed away. It’s best to run rear channel wires along the baseboard.
Wire tacks are the easiest way to secure this wire. Or use raceways for a more finished appearance.
For more helfpul tips, see our home theater receiver setup guide and our in-wall wiring guide.
Comments (24)
Please share your thoughts below.
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Adina Hirschmann from Bergenfield, NJ
Posted on 7/5/2023
I rent my apartment in a building where the landlord does not allow drilling through walls, ceilings or removal of plaster. I had to come up with a solution that would allow enough room for my wires and cables, yet allow flexibility around doorways, under stair treads and on top of baseboards. I used to work in a garment factory and had some long bundling strips made out of a stretchy polyester doubleknit fabric. I folded the strips along the long edges and handsewed them, joining them together, while maintaining the tubular form, encasing the wires and cables as I sewed them. Mounting was accomplished with cup hooks and wire fasteners, poked through the seams to grip around the coaxial cable---the most rigid and strongest in the bundle--- and secured with screws and anchors. When mounted, it resembles an umbilical cord, carrying nourishing signals to and from my speakers and components. I wish there was an option to post photos.
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Anthony
Posted on 5/23/2023
I have a real mass in the back I have just wire going in the back for the speakers I guess I just don't know what I'm doing.
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Lawrence Brown from New Port Richey
Posted on 8/22/2022
I would like an adapter that goes from the round plug in powered subwoofer to an RCA cable do you have an adapter to fit cable
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Lawrence Brown from New Port Richey
Posted on 8/22/2022
I would like an adapter that goes from the round plug in powered subwoofer to an RCA cable do you have an adapter to fit cable
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Lawrence Brown from New Port Richey
Posted on 8/22/2022
I would like an adapter that goes from the round plug in powered subwoofer to an RCA cable do you have an adapter to fit cable
-
Alan from New Auburn
Posted on 2/9/2021
Not too much problem going to optical instead of 2 heavy RCA cables and HDMI. But, what to do with all the power cords. Amp, Pre-amp, CD, Blue Ray, DTV box, Roku box, TV 'One-Box" (Samsung), Sound Bar, Panamax power conditioner. Just a mass of cables. Power cords are often way to long for a more compact cabinet. with 2 wide by 3 high shelves. A source for shorter power cords would be nice. By short, I mean 2-3 feet .
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Tim leitzes from Sunrise ,fl
Posted on 1/19/2021
Excellent advice and detailed instructions as only crutchfield would do. I just purchesef the sennheiser5000 from you an excellent price of equipment. No problem with hook up . To my non blue tooth amp. Works just fine thank guys
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joey ambs from Owensboro
Posted on 10/9/2020
Iam wanting to hook-up my sound bar to my tv. I don't have the right connections on the ends of my cord. Waiting to get it right, Thanks for any help on the matter........
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Brendan Moran from Cambridge
Posted on 5/14/2020
Very nice tips. Any recommendations on managing cables from a cabinet to the wall, so the cabinet can be moved for cleaning/access, without the cables being pulled from the units. I know you can leave slack in, but then don't really want it trailing all over the floor either. Any suggestions appreciated.
-
nelson 5076 street from marion 3597 ave
Posted on 1/31/2020
madison 2831 ave
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