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Post by aldebaran on Jan 25, 2022 7:31:07 GMT -5
I am in the process of upgrading my amplifier and adding a new turntable. So I decided to pull out my music bench to do a bit of dusting at the back and cable management while I am at it. As you can see the from the front, the view can be quite fetching.  However, the view from the rear is another story. This photo was taken after I tried to "clean up" the wiring. Does anyone have ideas on how they manage the mess of cable/wires/cords behind their HT system? I'd love to see some great cable management techniques and ideas.  |
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Post by siggie on Jan 25, 2022 9:17:57 GMT -5
The in-wall speaker wires are a good start. Custom length power and interconnect cables and multiple strategically located power strips help too. However, it is tough to get HT wiring looking good. Generally, you don't want cables coiled up or running parallel to each other, so it is not conducive a tidy presentation.
siggie
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Post by 405x5 on Jan 25, 2022 10:20:18 GMT -5
I am in the process of upgrading my amplifier and adding a new turntable. So I decided to pull out my music bench to do a bit of dusting at the back and cable management while I am at it. As you can see the from the front, the view can be quite fetching. View AttachmentHowever, the view from the rear is another story. This photo was taken after I tried to "clean up" the wiring. Does anyone have ideas on how they manage the mess of cable/wires/cords behind their HT system? I'd love to see some great cable management techniques and ideas. View AttachmentMuch can be done to minimize the clutter and IMHO, it starts with the rack arrangement…..swapping those components around so they interconnect with the shortest practical lengths to the preamp. Once that’s accomplished, the rest should fall into place rather smoothly. |
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Post by 405x5 on Jan 25, 2022 10:25:29 GMT -5
You ARE reminding me of component, pre HDMI video switching (if you think it’s bad now).
That box 📦 of wiring that would make its way around a football 🏈 field is still in my closet.
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Post by geekmike on Jan 25, 2022 12:48:08 GMT -5
3ft 120v power cords are pretty cheap in bulk, those thick cords make it hard to really organize any area. And i'd invest in an ethernet stripper/crimper ($20) to get those down to the shortest length needed. add a little wire loom tubing and some heat shrink and it'll clean up really nice.
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Post by 405x5 on Jan 25, 2022 13:11:57 GMT -5
3ft 120v power cords are pretty cheap in bulk, those thick cords make it hard to really organize any area. And i'd invest in an ethernet stripper/crimper ($20) to get those down to the shortest length needed. add a little wire loom tubing and some heat shrink and it'll clean up really nice. YAY!😆 It warms my heart to read a post from someone who is making complete sense (instead of nonsense) about something constructive that can be done with power cords! |
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Post by geekmike on Jan 25, 2022 13:29:12 GMT -5
3ft 120v power cords are pretty cheap in bulk, those thick cords make it hard to really organize any area. And i'd invest in an ethernet stripper/crimper ($20) to get those down to the shortest length needed. add a little wire loom tubing and some heat shrink and it'll clean up really nice. YAY!😆 It warms my heart to read a post from someone who is making complete sense (instead of nonsense) about something constructive that can be done with power cords! I really enjoy cable management, it soothes my soul to have straight lines and lots of zip ties haha. |
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Post by audiobill on Jan 25, 2022 13:40:10 GMT -5
Try wireless? 🥸
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Post by aldebaran on Jan 25, 2022 14:44:29 GMT -5
You ARE reminding me of component, pre HDMI video switching (if you think it’s bad now). That box 📦 of wiring that would make its way around a football 🏈 field is still in my closet. Lol, I remember the days when audio and video were two separate cable bundles! |
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Post by aldebaran on Jan 25, 2022 14:51:09 GMT -5
YAY!😆 It warms my heart to read a post from someone who is making complete sense (instead of nonsense) about something constructive that can be done with power cords! I really enjoy cable management, it soothes my soul to have straight lines and lots of zip ties haha. I love clean lines and tidiness. When I took my first look at the back of my cabinet and the huge mess of cables, a part of me just died.  |
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Post by 405x5 on Jan 25, 2022 16:31:52 GMT -5
YAY!😆 It warms my heart to read a post from someone who is making complete sense (instead of nonsense) about something constructive that can be done with power cords! I really enjoy cable management, it soothes my soul to have straight lines and lots of zip ties haha. Only thing is…I don’t like going overboard on cable ties….forever I’m swapping out gear which changes everything. Then overboard on the ties becomes a pain |
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Post by housetech on Jan 25, 2022 17:52:52 GMT -5
Every time I get my wiring looking tightly, I get a new piece added into the mix... or decide to move a unit to another location.
It's a hobby and a labor of love. I've now have enough cables to build 2 new systems because those were too short or too long.
Just think, when you die and all those wires are going everywhere, it will confound someone and just walk away.
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Post by creimes on Jan 25, 2022 19:34:02 GMT -5
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Post by jamco on Jan 25, 2022 20:31:46 GMT -5
I purchased some "Techflex F6 Split Sleeving" to cleanup my 2-channel system. Split sleeving... as in you don't have to force the cable through a long sleeve. It also comes in large diameters, which may work for HT < link>. Admittedly, I haven't had a chance to install it yet. |
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Post by aldebaran on Jan 26, 2022 12:44:12 GMT -5
I purchased some "Techflex F6 Split Sleeving" to cleanup my 2-channel system. Split sleeving... as in you don't have to force the cable through a long sleeve. It also comes in large diameters, which may work for HT < link>. Admittedly, I haven't had a chance to install it yet. I had a similar idea too, like a split loom. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 27, 2022 19:08:40 GMT -5
May I mention that if you wire your system and then leave the same components for year(s), then shrink wrap and/or split tubing work fine. However, if you need to swap components, rack arrangements, or wiring frequently, you need greater flexibility.
I suggest clothespins. Screw them underside the back of your shelves with the jaws extending out the back of the rack. Run the mounting screw through the coil in the clothespin spring. Advantages include that different sizes of interconnects and power cords are readily accommodated and that vertical layers of shelving are wired without tangles.
This can also be used to prevent wires from pooling on the floor and fouling the slelving casters.
Boomzilla
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Post by aldebaran on Jan 27, 2022 21:04:11 GMT -5
May I mention that if you wire your system and then leave the same components for year(s), then shrink wrap and/or split tubing work fine. However, if you need to swap components, rack arrangements, or wiring frequently, you need greater flexibility. I suggest clothespins. Screw them underside the back of your shelves with the jaws extending out the back of the rack. Run the mounting screw through the coil in the clothespin spring. Advantages include that different sizes of interconnects and power cords are readily accommodated and that vertical layers of shelving are wired without tangles. This can also be used to prevent wires from pooling on the floor and fouling the slelving casters. Boomzilla That's a great idea, Boomzilla. Have you tried it on your system? Post pics if you do. |
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Post by LuisV on Jan 27, 2022 22:22:13 GMT -5
Not mine, but I use similar velcro strips on my setup; makes it easy to change components, move things, etc.  Here's an older picture of my rack; if you look towards the top left rear of the shelf, you'll see the velcro strip wrapped around the post.  |
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Post by thezone on Jan 27, 2022 22:44:53 GMT -5
Subscribed. I need help also. My issue is, freakin mono blocks, I have 5, a stereo amp and 2 subs, so for a 5.2.2 that's 9 XLR outs!  |
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Post by 405x5 on Jan 28, 2022 9:32:32 GMT -5
Subscribed. I need help also. My issue is, freakin mono blocks, I have 5, a stereo amp and 2 subs, so for a 5.2.2 that's 9 XLR outs! View AttachmentI like what I see…. High quality (some overkill, but that’s ok) interconnects. Perfectly normal appearance back there with relative ease of access. When the rack is in place I’m sure all looks good. Enjoy “the show” (and don’t sweat it!) |
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