Whole House A-BUS Audio Installation: Pointers to Keep In Mind

Years ago, bringing music into every room used to be a high-cost project. But now that more simplified systems are available, having music in every room is no big deal. It is no longer costly to install speakers and get fine remote control access all the way through your home!

Yes, the technique that can enable such an easy home audio installation is known to be A-BUS technology. The system simply uses a usual Cat-5e cable to transmit signals from the main source. The four-pair communication wire carries audio signals to all the rooms within your house that get amplified to speaker-level audio. The keypads that amplify the sound signals also transmit infrared remote signals back to the central audio system. This is how you are get access to audio settings from any of the rooms, something not so readily possible with a central audio system’s remote control!

Installing a Whole-house Audio System

If you are not confident, you always have the option of hiring handyman services for the installation. But you can do it all by yourself as long as you’re having the right tools. Take tools like tape measure, drill, stud finder, screwdriver, electrical tape and a utility knife to make your DIY project successful.

Tips to follow while you install a whole-house A-BUS audio system:

1. Choosing the Best Location

The first thing is to find the best location for the panel distribution hub. Make sure you locate it on a wall that is easily reachable through wires from all other rooms. You can even place it beside the central audio equipment if you have enough space there. Another good option is the basement wall, but remember you will require an electrical outlet around to power the transformer.

Tip: It is best to mount keypads close to the light switch and your room’s entrance where there are speakers.

2. Drill Holes for Keypads and Speakers

Make sure you’ve located all the framing items using a stud finder and checked the walls for any barriers before you start cutting holes for speakers and keypads. Tick framing members blue with a tape and push a wire through the wall to check if there are any barriers in the form of wood blocks or cables.

Bend the wire for round ceiling speakers at around 4 inches and push it into the middle of the location of your desired speaker. Mark the hole using the template that comes with the speakers before cutting it out.

3. Attach Speaker Wire to Speakers and Cat-5e Cable to Keypads

Pull one Cat-5e cable out of the distribution hub and run it to every keypad location. Also, take another Cat-5e cable to the Cat-5e modular jack that is placed next to the central audio equipment. Lastly, you’ll have to run speaker cables to the speakers in the room.

Tips to improve the performance and output of Cat-5e cables

• Give regular bends, but of about a 12-inch radius at least
• Avoid tugging the cable and be gentle while pushing
• Hold them up using cable staples specially designed for communication cables
• Avoid using the same hole for both electrical and new cables

4.  Connect Wire and Equipment with Standard Cables

Strip off a portion of the plastic covering on Cat-5e wires and untwist the wire pairs. The order of wires is indicated by tiny codes with different color codes. Match the wires as you connect the distribution hub to the Cat-5e modular jack.

Use a Cat-5e patch cord to connect the jack to the source distribution module. Connect to the central audio source using RCA cables.