Volume Controls
Do I really need a speaker volume control?
You don’t actually need a speaker volume control but it may be very convenient for you and your family. Without one you have no way to control the volume levels of your music in a particular areas or different rooms. So you would have to rely on the master volume control from your stereo system to control the sound in every area you have speakers. One issue you may have is if install outdoor speakers you will not be able to control them if you just want to have the sound in the house. It is all or nothing. The volume control will also let you lower the volume level or even turn the sound off in some areas, while allow you to crank up the sound in others.
How do I attach speaker wire to a speaker volume control?
Attaching speaker wire to a volume control is very easy. Most quality volume controls have simple terminals that allow you to push a pin or screw down a binding post to attach the speaker wire directly to the back side of the volume control. Most commonly there are no tools needed for this depending on the mechanism that your volume control brand utilizes to accept the connection of the speaker wire conductors. You will need a good wire stripper so you can not only strip back the overall jacket but also the jacket that is over the internal conductors of the speaker wire. Once you strip back the conductor jackets and have about a 1/2 inch of bare copper strands visible, you should be able to insert the conductors directly into their required locations on the volume control.
How do I run speaker wire if I use a volume control?
Most professional installers use a 2 conductor speaker wire to go from the speakers themselves to the volume control. Then they use a 4 conductor speaker wire to go from the volume control to the amplifier or receiver. If you have an over-abundance of 2 conductor speaker wire left over you can also run two separate 2 conductors cables between the volume control and head-end. The 4 conductor speaker wire is most often used because it is a single cable and much easier to manage.
How do I mount a speaker volume control on the wall?
Most speaker volume controls are designed to fit directly into a single gang low voltage mounting bracket. If you are adding a new volume control location at your home or business we recommend using the Arlington LV1 low voltage mounting bracket for "existing construction." All you have to do is lay the LV1 on the wall and use it as its own pattern to trace the hole you will be cutting. Use a pencil to trace around the LV1. You may also want to use a level so you can ensure the hole that you cut is straight and level. After you have made the trace you can then use a drywall saw to cut the hole. After the hole is cut out, simply set the LV1 into the hole and then use a screw driver to tighten its wings as it clamps tightly to the drywall. Now you have a bracket in place to mount your volume control. The hole patterns on the volume control and its faceplate will match the available holes on the LV1 so you can easily mount both onto the bracket. The end result is a volume control installed tightly and snug to the wall.
