The schematic below shows how to run cable for an advanced setup that utilizes a digital keypad, connected via Cat-5 cable (Cat-5, Cat-5e, or Cat-6 will work) to a centrally located audio controller; speaker cable is also run from the same central location directly to each of the speakers in the zone.

Tip 1: If you are in new construction and are not sure what brand of system you are going to use, it is recommended that you run your speaker cable slightly differently. Note that most custom installers and home builders will pre-wire a home this way in order to allow for the most flexibility in choosing a whole-house audio system: run 4 conductor cable (+,- for both left and right channels) from the central area to the Keypad location in each zone; run 2 conductor cable from the Keypad location to each speaker in the zone.

If you choose an Advanced Setup such as our own, you will simply tie the speaker cables together near the Keypad location. Should you choose a more basic setup that only requires independent volume control in each zone (i.e. all zones must listen to the same source), you will replace the keypad with a basic Volume Control (inputs connected to the 4-conductor speaker cables, and outputs connected to the 2-conductor speaker cables) and abandon the Cat-5 cables. Some mid-level systems, such as A-Bus systems that include a small amplifier in the keypad, will utilize the Cat-5 cable and the 2-conductor speaker cable. The 4-conductor speaker cable is abondoned because the amplifier is not centrally located.

Tip 2: Run an extra Cat-5 cable into each zone to allow for future enhancements and flexibility. As an example, there are already devices on the market that allow you to run HD video signals over Cat-5 cable. Cat-5 cable is relatively inexpensive and it is much easier to add a cable now while you are running all of your other cables.