Surround sound setup in Exeter
Professional surround sound setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Surround sound system set up properly with all speakers positioned for best results. I connect everything to your AV receiver, test it works with your TV, and show you how to use it - proper cinema sound at home.
Turn Your Living Room Into a Cinema
Bought a surround sound system and it's still in boxes because it looks complicated? You're not alone. Getting great sound isn't just about expensive speakers - it's about positioning them right, wiring everything properly, and setting levels so dialogue is clear and explosions are impressive.
💡 Pro tip: Most people position speakers wrong, especially the rears. They should be at ear height when seated, not up near the ceiling. Placement matters more than price.
Why Professional Setup Matters
Your mate who "knows tech" will enthusiastically connect everything wrong. Here's the difference:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Speakers at correct height and angle | All speakers bunched together |
| Wires hidden or run neatly | Cables everywhere like spaghetti |
| System tested with your actual content | "It lights up, must be working" |
| You're shown how to actually use it | Remote control mystery |
What You Get
🔧 Complete Setup
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Plan | Work out best speaker positions for your room |
| Install | Position speakers, run wires neatly or hidden |
| Connect | Wire everything to receiver, connect TV and devices |
| Configure | Set levels, test sound, calibrate system |
| Show | Demo how to switch between TV, Netflix, gaming, etc. |
📦 You're Left With
- Cinema sound that actually works
- All cables either hidden or run neatly
- Understanding of which remote does what
- Proper demonstration so you can actually use it
Pricing Guide
| Setup Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic 5.1 system (straightforward) | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| 5.1 with tricky cable runs | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
| 7.1 or Atmos system | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Final quote depends on room layout and cable hiding requirements.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ New system - bought it all but daunted by the setup
✅ Existing system - had it for years, never sounds quite right
✅ New house - moving your cinema room to new property
✅ Upgrading - adding height speakers for Atmos
Why Choose Us for Surround sound setup in Exeter?
All speakers positioned for best sound
Wires hidden or run neatly
System tested with your TV and devices
Shown how to use everything properly
What to Expect
Step 1: Position Speakers
I work out where each speaker needs to go for best sound in your room. Front speakers flanking the TV, centre below or above, rears at ear height, sub wherever it sounds best.
Step 2: Run Cables
Wire everything back to your AV receiver. I hide cables where possible - along skirting, behind furniture, through walls if you want. Otherwise neat cable clips keep it tidy.
Step 3: Connect & Test
Everything gets connected to the receiver, your TV audio routed through it, and all your devices (Sky, Apple TV, PlayStation, whatever) tested. Then I calibrate levels and show you how to use it all.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to set it up yourself? Here's how to get decent results:
🔧 What you'll need
- All the speaker wire (usually comes with system)
- Cable clips or trunking if not hiding wires
- Spirit level (for wall-mounting speakers)
- Labelling tape (seriously - label every wire)
- Patience with menus
📐 Speaker positioning basics
- Front left/right: Either side of TV, angled slightly toward viewing position
- Centre speaker: Above or below TV, aimed at ear height
- Rear speakers: Behind and slightly to sides, ear height when seated
- Subwoofer: Front corners often work best, experiment
🔌 Wiring tips
- Label both ends of every cable before you start
- Red/black or +/- must match at speaker and receiver
- Don't run speaker wires parallel to mains cables (causes hum)
- Leave slack - you might want to reposition later
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Rear speakers mounted at ceiling height (too high)
- Centre speaker pointing at the ceiling instead of you
- Forgetting to tell TV to send audio through HDMI ARC
- Never running the calibration mic setup
💡 Pro trick: Most receivers have automatic calibration using a mic - use it. Sits you in your viewing position, places the mic where your head is, and run the auto setup. It measures distances and sets levels far better than guessing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎬 Already got cables run? If you had a system before or builder left speaker wires, I can use existing cables - saves time and money.
Multiple rooms? If you want whole-home audio as well, we can integrate that with the surround system. Worth doing together.
Old house with solid walls? Cable hiding is harder in Victorian/Edwardian properties common in Exeter, but there's usually a route. Surface-run trunking is always an option and looks tidy when done properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is surround sound setup?
It's getting all your speakers in the right places and wired to your AV receiver so you get that cinema sound at home. Front left and right, centre speaker for dialogue, rear speakers for atmosphere, and a subwoofer for bass. I make sure it's all positioned properly and actually works with your TV.
Can you set up my existing system or do I need to buy new?
Either way works. If you've already got speakers and a receiver, I'll set them up properly. If you're buying new, I can advise on what makes sense for your room before you spend any money - most people don't need the most expensive kit to get great results.
Do you hide the speaker wires?
Where possible, yes. I'll run cables along skirting, behind furniture, or through cavity walls if you want. Sometimes we just keep them neat with cable clips - depends on your room and how much disruption you want. I'll talk through options when I see the space.
Will it work with my TV and streaming boxes?
Yes - that's part of the setup. I connect everything to your receiver, make sure your TV sound goes through the speakers, and check Netflix, Apple TV, Sky box, whatever you use all works properly. Then I'll show you which remote does what.
How long does setup take?
A basic 5.1 system in a straightforward room is usually 2-3 hours - positioning speakers, running cables, connecting everything, and testing. More speakers, difficult cable runs, or multiple source devices adds time. I'll give you a better estimate once I know your setup.
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