Soundbar Wire Concealment Requirements
First of all, you need to know the difference between an active soundbar vs a passive soundbar. This distinction will determine how you hide the cables and what challenges you’ll face.
What is an Active Soundbar?
- Active soundbars are self-powered and do not need a separate amplifier or AV receiver to power the speakers. This is what most people have.
- They come with a power cord that must be plugged into an electrical outlet.
- Audio signals pass from the TV to the soundbar via HDMI eARC/ARC or optical cable—the standard for most modern active soundbars.
What is a Passive Soundbar?
- Passive soundbars require a separate external amplifier or AV receiver to power the speakers. Without an amplifier, a passive soundbar cannot work—similar to passive home theater speakers.
- They do not have a power cord; only speaker wires connect the soundbar to the amplifier/receiver.
- Audio signals pass from the TV to the amplifier/receiver via HDMI eARC/ARC or optical cable, and the receiver sends power and audio to the soundbar via speaker wires.
Hiding Active Soundbar Wires in the Wall
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is a popular active soundbar, and because of its widespread use in North America, we’ve created a dedicated article on how to hide Sonos Arc cables inside a wall. If you own a Sonos Arc, that article covers the specific requirements and code compliance for your model.
For All Other Active Soundbar Installations
Hiding a soundbar power cord up to code is the biggest challenge because you likely don’t have a power outlet dedicated to your soundbar. Power cords of any kind—including soundbar power cords—cannot be hidden in-wall. Hiding live power cables is considered a fire hazard and violates electrical codes.
Only low-voltage cables such as FT4/FT6-rated HDMI or other AV wires can be hidden in-wall safely and legally.
Requirements for Hiding All Cables Out of Sight
- A recessed power outlet installed behind your soundbar to plug in the power cord.
- HDMI or optical cable run through the wall from the TV to the soundbar.
Conditions for This to Work
- A wall with a cavity, such as drywall with 2×4 studs. You cannot hide wires in solid walls (concrete or brick).
- A soundbar that is tall enough to hide the power outlet behind it.
- A soundbar that does not have a “brick-style” power adapter (large, bulky transformers can’t fit behind most soundbars).
- A soundbar with indentation in the back where excess power cord can be wrapped and hidden.
- A soundbar bracket that will not block the power outlet behind the soundbar.
Hiding Passive Soundbar Cables in Wall
Hiding passive soundbar cables is simpler than active soundbars since there’s no soundbar power cord to conceal. You only need to run FT4/FT6-rated speaker wires, which are low-voltage and safe to hide in-wall.
Requirements for Hiding All Cables Out of Sight
- Fish FT4/FT6-rated in-wall speaker wires from the amplifier/receiver to the passive soundbar.
- Run HDMI or optical cable through the wall from the TV to your amplifier/receiver.
Conditions for This to Work
- A wall with a cavity, such as drywall with 2×4 studs. You cannot hide wires in solid walls.
- A separate amplifier or receiver to power the soundbar.
