I have nSystem, nVi and projector going in new house. Wife insists on all cable being hidden and she's currently a bit grumpy with me - just informed me that the naca5 in the old house in front of the fireplace drove her nuts because in the way, difficult to clean, unsightly (which reminds me that I will probably need to stock naca5 for main system under the floor too as HH's old SBL's will be either side of a door - in separate room from cinema stuff)!

HDMI cable is already in the ceiling (got that in early, in preparation) but projector (only just got) will need an RS232 cable (which I've bought at 15m long) running between it and the scaler box by the nVi. Cannot stick that in the ceiling as unfortunately just arrived too late for getting in place before the plasterer does his stuff - so really needs to go under the floor.

I also need to run two lots of NACA5 under the floor (for the rear speakers) in the same general direction. I have two 8m pieces (room just under 5m from front to back so should have just enough spare to reach rear speakers - with hindsight a bit more would have been useful but too late for that)

the floor is solid concrete with stone tiles going on top and I'm going to need to stick the cables inside some sort of sheathing to protect them from the floor screed / adhesive / whatever.

[There will be a rug over the stone floor but NACA5 would probably create a ridge that would not be acceptable to wife (or me really), as well as probably wearing the rug along the ridge in time, so that's probably not acceptable.]

I think cutting a little channel in the concrete floor might help (not a quick job I expect unless I got my hands on an angle grinder - might be able to get the tiler to do) although I suppose ideally I would need three channels (but that's probably a bit impractical), as if I were to stick both naca5 in the same channel, would have less spare at the end to reach the rear speakers.

So questions:

1. any ideas what I could sheathe the cables in to protect them? (the supplier of the projector suggested copper tube but that won't work as the terminating plugs are already on each end so I'd never get it through). Doesn't want to be too bulky although the stone tiles vary a bit in depth so the tiler should be able to pick the thinner ones to leave a bit more spare where the cables go

2. how far apart will the rear speakers need to be and is that going to be crucial to the sound (ie, will I need to mess about moving the rears from side to side to get the right sound or will I just be able to plonk them down)?

3. is there anything else I should be thinking of?

Thanks in advance

Tim

The dual plugs can be unscrewed apart, so you've actually got a bit of leeway there.

Generally, I'd recommend a run of plastic PVC pipe (2" should be sufficient) embedded into the concrete slab, per local building codes, into which one can fishtape speaker wires, network cables, etc.

BTW–this all the kind of stuff that a good custom integrator can advise you on–their experience can be invaluable for the $/£.

It will be extremely nice and neat once it's done. I had all mine channelled and it looks great. Just beware of the dust. It will be everywhere for days/weeks/months.

Keep all of your gear in another county if possible! It'll be everywhere. God, it was everywhere!

Another good option might be electrical conduit, which my electrician used to house various cables running round the outside of the house (though most don't bother). It has junction boxes to accommodate long lengths/changes in direction.

Neil

Thanks.

I've got a custom installer coming in a few days for a look and to give advice - may also use to set up the full system once we're in

Will get the floor tiler to leave the relevant bits undone until I've sorted what to do (will also get to put main system cable under part of the floor to go past a doorway - although that will mean doing without music for a few weeks, sob!).

Does anyone know how far apart the rear nSats should be (roughly)?