Mount Rear Speakers in media room

[hjames]

I'm stuck with a conundrum ...
Up 'til now I have had an old pair of JBL G100 speakers hanging in the rear of out media room. Because there a pair of plant hooks already in the ceiling
(hooks with molly expansion bolts in the ceiling) I came up with the idea of drilling the side of those cheap old speakers and just hanging them on the hooks. Worked well, was way too high for anyone's head to bump into, and the rear sound was pretty good for DVDs and TV shows.
But now I want to upgrade.
I recently got a pair of very nice L20T speakers, and the veneer is as close to perfect as I could imagine, so I'm not going to drill into the side of them and put a big hook there. That solution is out this time around.

There are 5 small holes on the back of the L20T speakers - perhaps from some sort of mounting brackets?
I pasted red arrows in photoshop to point them out ... do those look familiar to anyone?

So - how to mount them in the back of the room?

[pmakres1]

Hi hjames,

Here's what I did to mount my 4401 monitors in my office. These brackets have worked quite well. They were made by MG Electronics, but apparently MG no longer makes them. They do have a website, but all the mounts I see on there currently are for TV monitors. However, there are quite a few speaker mounts available on eBay. I did a quick seach for you, these are very, very similar to the mounts I have, and can support 25 pounds. If you are going into drywall, be sure to use sturdy, expandable anchors. (I could post a picture of the type of anchor I used if you like). You would likely need to add additional holes on the back of your speakers for
self-tapping screws, but they wouldn't be visible once you hang them up....

Here is the ebay listing for the mount similar to mine: http://cgi.ebay.com/TILT-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKER-BRACKET-WALL-MOUNTS-1PAIR_W0QQitemZ110104644338QQcategoryZ61336QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

Good luck!

Peter

[Fred Sanford]

Heather- I've got a pretty large collection of older Omni Mount brackets, check out their products and see if you think something of theirs might work (think along the lines of modifying the bracket, not the speaker). Let me know if you want to check some of the brackets out- they're in an attic right now, so not exactly sure of the model #s.

je

[Fred Sanford]

By the way, with any approach, you can fab a thin-but-strong plate of metal that matches the bolt pattern for the speaker and can bolt up (or weld, I guess) to the bracket of choice.

je

[hjames]

By the way, with any approach, you can fab a thin-but-strong plate of metal that matches the bolt pattern for the speaker and can bolt up (or weld, I guess) to the bracket of choice.

je

Right - thats the direction I was headed - use the existing holes to tie to something else ...

[pmakres1]

By the way, with any approach, you can fab a thin-but-strong plate of metal that matches the bolt pattern for the speaker and can bolt up (or weld, I guess) to the bracket of choice.

je

Now there's a thought-an adaptor plate!:applaud:

That would allow you to use the existing holes. In fact, now that we mention it, I did make spacer plates for mine, to get the speaker corners
out a bit more from the wall to clear the map frames in my office. (see photo). I wanted to aim the speakers downward, and I was going to smack into the frames without the spacers. I only made them something like 5/16" thick.

Hope you have success!

Peter

[Fred Sanford]

Oh look, here's some that didn't make it to the attic yet. These are for popping through hung ceiling tiles, I think, and have raw plumber's pipe fittings above the tiles and out of sight. I think I sprayed the raw pipes & flanges black. Some of the ones I have extend on an arm like this, some don't.

[Zilch]

Omni-Mount is the correct solution. Snag some from Fred. They come in three basic load capacities, as I recall.

What bolts to the wall is vertical-in-line holes, so you find the center of a stud and install with 1/4" lags in pilot holes. See MTC-51 pic, next post. That's JBL-branded Omni-Mount.

I'm sorry, but I just don't trust screws into particle board for mounting to the speaker. I through-bolt to the inside, with fender washers in there. The clamp goes on the speaker, the arm with ball on the wall.

I don't recognize the hole patten on yours. I'd just fill and ignore them.

NICE speakers, BTW.... :thmbsup:

[JBL 4645]

You should try what I did, that’s if you’re crazy enough to try.:D

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/3/309619.jpg


http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/3/309665.jpg


http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/3/309663.jpg

[pmakres1]

Omni-Mount is the correct solution. Snag some from Fred. They come in three basic load capacities, as I recall.

What bolts to the wall is vertical-in-line holes, so you find the center of a stud and install with 1/4" lags in pilot holes.

I'm sorry, but I just don't trust screws into particle board for mounting to the speaker. I through-bolt to the inside, with fender washers in there. The clamp goes on the speaker, the arm with ball on the wall.

I don't recognize the hole patten on yours. I'd just fill and ignore them.

NICE speakers, BTW.... :thmbsup:

Very understandable concern. Obviously you'd want to be sure you're okay to drill all the way through without damaging anything inside. As I recall, that was going to be an issue with my 4401's. So, I used self-tapping screws of sufficient diameter into the particle board, and they tightened down very securely. I was lucky enough to find wall studs for some of my screws, and I used expansion anchors for the rest. I've had the speakers mounted this way about 4 years now with no problems whatsoever. :D

Peter

[pmakres1]

You should try what I did, that’s if you’re crazy enough to try.:D




Interesting! :blink:

[hjames]

Interesting!

Well - I'm not sure but I think the L20T speaker weighs a bit more than those JBL Control speakers ... and even if we go 7.1 with the new receiver instead of the current 5.1 configuration, I don't think we'll be going with that many boxes around the room.

But - it IS interesting ... and I suspect we now know where all the JBL Control speakers in the UK went! :blink:



I'm sorry, but I just don't trust screws into particle board for mounting to the speaker.
I through-bolt to the inside, with fender washers in there.

NICE speakers, BTW.... :thmbsup:

Yes, the hooks on the G100s used a through bolt with fender washers and doublenuts. I'd planned on a smaller version of that idea with an adapter plate - but - maybe Omnis.

The Omnis come in 5, 10 and 20lb models - I'm guessing my safest bet would be to use the 20lb model. I like overkill, just in case!

The L20Ts were an inspiration. After getting that B-380 in the nice walnut grain, and upgrading the front speakers to nice walnut cabinets, the ugly black G100s just looked - yuck! I'd read about the L20T model in the forums over the last year, and the price didn't look too bad - I just wanted good cabinets.
So, once Mark in DC got a pair of all the TI models he wanted, (just kidding, Mark) I found this pair in CA in real good shape.

Cost $150 to get them, including coast-to-coast shipping.

Thus - the rear speaker mounting project!

[JBL 4645]

Then again Heather, get a bundle of JBL control 5 for the surrounds in that large room! JBL MTC-51 brackets will hold up and there adjustable.:applaud:


http://www.musik-service.de/images/ProduX/395755787j00.jpg
Not to mention they come in white, just like the cat.:)

[Fred Sanford]

Well, wouldja look at that- one of em's got a funny little logo on it. Just one, though, the mate paired with it has an OmniMount logo:

[Fred Sanford]

Then again Heather, get a bundle of JBL control 5 for the surrounds in that large room! JBL MTC-51 brackets will hold up and there adjustable.:applaud:


http://www.musik-service.de/images/ProduX/395755787j00.jpg
Not to mention they come in white, just like the cat.:)

Yeah, that looks Omni Mount to me. I ain't got those, just bigger 'n' beefier models. I also found some other brand that might work into the sides, too, with no extension pipes.

(Pivotelli? http://www.pivotelli.com.au/onlinestore/)

Another concern is the overall weight vs. construction of the cabs- is the back or side you mount to going to safely hold up the weight of the entire cab? Don't know what L20Ts are made of, or how they're joined together. I've seen wall-mounted Cerwin Vegas (not my idea) come crashing down, leaving just the back board up on the bracket.

je

[JBL 4645]

I know you have ideas why not look at some of the cinema suppliers in the US, I’m sure they have a few JBL cinema surrounds going on the cheap 8330 and 8340’s.

These days you can pick up the real deal for less if you poke around a bit.:D

They don’t come with brackets, but are best when mounted flush ageist the walls, THX approved.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/47069/143406.gifhttp://www.iceco.com/images/8340a.jpg

http://www.iceco.com/JBL%20Speakers.htm

[hjames]

Not to mention they come in white, just like the cat.:)

Well ... between the L200 boxes in the front, those L20Ts in the rear, and the B380 in the corner for sub use ... I think I'm staying with wood boxes for a bit ... white speakers would be as out of place as the black boxes were!

(I had the L20s in the front while I wiped them down with feed'n'wax all week ... but they're heaed out back)

[pmakres1]

Well - I'm not sure but I think the L20T speaker weighs a bit more than those JBL Control speakers ...

Heather,

Maybe, but maybe not. I couldn't seem to find a weight spec for the L20T, but the L20t3 is rated at 14 Lbs. The 4401 is only rated shipping weight per pair-35lbs. I never put them on a scale, but they're
pretty heavy for their size. At any rate, if you use the omni mount, (or any other mount), I'd use a mount rated at 20 pounds minimum.

Good luck again! :)

Peter

P.S. Nice looking setup you have there! Just curious, which ones are those directly atop your L200's?

[JBL 4645]

I thought you room would be wider than mine, its about the same width thou I don’t know about the length?


I’d say there about 28lbs in weight, maybe, Heather, do you have some scales for weighing? Weigh each one!:)

Couch Bolts, use them if you’re going to go hang these JBL L20T up, otherwise the darn things will fall on you!

http://www.neji-nakamura.co.jp/photo/bolt/coach.jpg

[hjames]

Heather,
Just curious, which ones are those directly atop your L200's?


Ah - those are the slot-boxes ... :applaud:

See, the long term idea is to wind up with a pair of 4343/4344 clones.
They have a sub-enclosure in the main cabinet to isolate and house the 2121 or 2122 midbass speaker. I did some checking and found the JBL 2600 was a near match for that subenclosure - so when I found a pair of 2600 speakers in DC cheap, I bought them and gutted them, then mounted my 2123 10inch MidBass drivers in them. When I swapped out my 4320 cabinets for the L200 cabinets, I didn't want to drill a hole in them for the 2405 tweeter, so - I mounted my 2405 slots in there as well. The 3rd driver in those boxes isn't a driver, its a "zilch-plug" used to plug the existing port hole. Its inserted from the inside out to hide the ugly wingnut.

[jim campbell]

heather if i may,if that room is accessible from an attic i would consider hangers that cross the ceiling joists and drop down through the drywall ceiling,and maybe even the wires could run thru there.the holes are easily patched when you sell.

[hjames]

heather if i may,if that room is accessible from an attic i would consider hangers that cross the ceiling joists and drop down through the drywall ceiling,and maybe even the wires could run thru there.the holes are easily patched when you sell.

Well - its a ground floor room, bedrooms directly above it - no access to rafters or anything like that. But the ceiling is strong and robust - its a 60 year old house, very well made.

To be honest, once I got over my initial inhibition, it just seemed more expediant to mount these like the previous speakers had been mounted.
So - out came the cordless drill and some bits and - and, after boring a 19/64 hole on the side, I popped ta 1/4 steel eyelet through the side, and with fender washers and doublenuts on the inside - they are up - quite robust and solid!

[majick47]

Heather I spent some time searching and buying speaker wall mounts off Ebay for my 4301b (30 lbs). Ended up with about six pairs from JBL/OmniMount and Versamount that are all 50lb plus pro wall mounts. All the mounts are rock solid and fully adjustable. I lucked out on Ebay and payed short money for the mounts. If your interested in wall mounting I have a pair, depending on the size of your speakers, left over that I won't be useing.

[hjames]

Well, the L20Ts are about the same size as the (empty) 4406 Monitors I got a year back (but never populated). I'm guessing they are just over 20 lbs - about 9 1/2 x 15 x 8 1/2 (deep) - but they have to go sideways to clear the basement and back doors. Thats why I used the eyebolts for the G100s - plus the plant hooks are already there.
If the speakers will mount in them horizontally, I'd be real interested in them - if so I can PM so we can work out details ...



Heather I spent some time searching and buying speaker wall mounts off Ebay for my 4301b (30 lbs). Ended up with about six pairs from JBL/OmniMount and Versamount that are all 50lb plus pro wall mounts. All the mounts are rock solid and fully adjustable. I lucked out on Ebay and payed short money for the mounts. If your interested in wall mounting I have a pair, depending on the size of your speakers, left over that I won't be useing.

[majick47]

Heather from your dimensions of the speakers they will fit the extra mounts I have. I had to place hardwood (maple) boards connecting the studs to evenly mount my 4301b speakers from the corners of the room unless you are real lucky and the studs are exactly in the same spot each side of the room. The mounting boards could be finished to match the wall/trim etc. I'll send you a PM later re the mounts, I have to take off for work this afternoon.

[majick47]

Heather I located the two wall mounts, Haropa Products Multimedia 15/100 rated for 99 lbs each. Only problem they are intended for vertical mounting of speakers. I looked at the additional pictures you posted for Zilch showing the left and right corners with doorways etc. My Denon AVR-3605 7.1 set up instructions has both the rear surrounds as a single channel and does not require significant distance between the two speakers. Denon advised that it would also work with one rear surround speaker but two would be better. If your rear surrounds arn't left and right channel you could mount each speaker vertically high and to the sides of the middle doorway and it should allow adequate clearance to open/close the side/corner doors. If you have a clearance of 1' to the side of the middle doorway they will fit. The mounts can be adjusted both vertical and horizontal.

[boputnam]

...(hooks with molly expansion bolts in the ceiling)... I don't like this idea, at-all. Molly expansion bolts only? :duck:

I would sure find some floor/ceiling joists and get those lag eye-bolts into them. You are suspending a lot of weight on drywall which could catastrophically fail. A damned inconvenience in the least.

I've used those brackets Fred was discussing, for years, and I've used them most recently on the 4406. They work terrific. I never drill through, though - I use a short snubby 3/8" diameter wood bolt. But these are smaller than what you are "flying".

And, I always mount the brackets to wall studs - like the picture Peter (pmakres1) showed.

[majick47]

Heather plan B might work as well if you want to keep the speakers in the corners and also horizontal. Home Depot , Lowes etc will have some shelf brackets, boards etc that will fit high on the wall.

[majick47]

Heather option C, check Agon stands section for some Omnimount 30s, price is reasonable. You can mount the bracket horizontal/vertical to the speaker cabinet. I used bolts, nuts, washers, removed woofers to do it, but no worry of ever loosening/falling from bracket.

[hjames]

Heather option C, check Agon stands section for some Omnimount 30s, price is reasonable. You can mount the bracket horizontal/vertical to the speaker cabinet. I used bolts, nuts, washers, removed woofers to do it, but no worry of ever loosening/falling from bracket.


I'll look into that, thanks ... think Bo has lost faith with me - I'll just have to move Emma slowly to the idea of more holes in the wall (even if I can patch them later, the general idea can be traumatic for the other half ...)

[boputnam]

... think Bo has lost faith with me...Heck no. I just wouldn't risk a set of JBL's on anything other than solid mounting. And, I'll just select a seat more toward the center of the room, if you don't mind! :rotfl:

Granted, I'm overly aware of the damage/fatigue and unexpected things that sonic vibrations can cause. I've seen main stacks walk-off position all by themselves. Impossible to believe considering it took a busload of roadies to get them positioned. Nowadays, EVERYTHING is tied down...

[majick47]

I went the limit, 4" wood screws into the studs, 2' maple boards that the brackets were mounted to with good sized wood screws and bolts nuts washers secure the brackets to the back of the speakers, had to remove the woofers to do it. All the brackets were pro (JBL/Omnimount or Versamount) and probably rated at least three times the weight of the 4301b. Have them installed much like a radio/tv control booth in my 8x10 foot room. The house will fall down before the 4301b fall/move.

[Fred Sanford]

Heather- took some more inventory. I've also got 50 lb. ST-MPs and 75 lb. CA-PAs. Like, a dozen of each. Feel free to take a look through, pick out some possibilities, and take them home to work 'em through the potential mounting points. One might work for you, or at least help you visualize an approach that does work for you. Then, if you want some, make a low-ball offer for the ones you want. Oatmeal scotchies, for one example, go quite a long way here.

Let me know,

je