Step 1

→ | Plan the location of your system elements. This installation guide is for FlatWire Speaker Wire, and any of the 4 connectors that are FlatWire Ready® (5-Way Wall Box, Banana Plug > Straight, Banana Plug > Angle, and Pin Connectors).

1B | Double-check that you have enough wire for your system. Add 8 inches on the end of each run to account for connector installation and distance from the surface to your component.

Step 2

2A | Decide if you are mudding over FlatWire with a concealing compound, or if you will paint only. Start installation with the speaker wire.

*Read and follow all directions on the spray adhesive, including the cautionary information provided in the instructions*

When mudding, shake the adhesive thoroughly, and spray directly onto the path you've drawn on the surface. Hold the can six to eight inches from the surface and apply with long sweeping motions, coating evenly. For ease of installation, spray in sections of eight feet or less. Wait 60 seconds for tack to develop.

When painting only, shake the adhesive thoroughly, and lay the wire onto a surface that can be discarded, such as spare paper or cardboard. Hold the can six to eight inches from the wire and apply with long sweeping motions, coating evenly. For ease of installation, spray in sections of three feet or less. Wait 60 seconds for tack to develop.

2B | Folding the FlatWire requires the addition of adhesive to the inside of the fold or crease. Create the fold first to ensure a sharp edge to the crease, then spray a small amount of adhesive into the overlaying portion of wire. Allow the adhesive to set for 60 seconds with the fold open, then press the fold closed.

Press the FlatWire to the path with a non-metallic object such as a wallpaper smoother. Be careful not to press so hard that you cut through the plastic film that protects the copper. Repeat steps 2A and 2B as you proceed.

2C | Smooth out any lumps or bumps with the wallpaper smoother. Using your hand to apply the FlatWire can lead to unsightly ridges in the wire, and makes it difficult to conceal properly. The adhesive has a limited time for resetting the wire into place, any mistakes made in regards to placement or ridges should be corrected immediately.

Note | 5-Way wall boxes can point towards or away from the run of FlatWire. The wire will either feed directly into the back of the wall box, or the wire will run under the wall box and then into the back.

Step 3

3A | Mount the wall box to your surface with the 4 screws provided, aligning the opening on the base with the speaker wire. The wire will either run straight to or under the box, check that the wire will easily fold into the wall box.

3B | The strain relief is the clear plastic piece with markings printed on it. You will crease the strain relief in the center to create a fold.

3C | Peel the protective backing off the strain relief. Do 1 side at a time if you prefer; peel 1 side off, adhere to the wire as in step 3D, then remove the other piece and repeat 3D again.

3D | Stick the strain relief to the speaker FlatWire, checking that the plus sign on the strain relief and wire are on the same side and aligned. The strain relief will wrap around and cover both sides of the speaker wire.

3E | Use scissors to trim the strain relief on the BLACK lines. You will make 9 cuts total. 2-6: DO NOT CUT THE COPPER

3F | The strain relief is stuck to the insulation on the wire. Peel back these layers on both sides of the wire.

DO NOT CUT THE COPPER

3G | Trim the strain relief on the ORANGE lines. This will remove the peeled back layers of strain relief and insulation.

DO NOT CUT THE COPPER

3H | Trim the strain relief on the last line between the ribbons of copper. DO NOT CUT THE COPPER

3J | Fold the excess FlatWire into the wall box. The excess helps to create a tight connection.

3L | Connect the wall box to your speakers as you please; repeat steps 2 through 3L for each speaker.

3M | Install the subwoofer. Connect the subwoofer wire to the wall box by snapping the black IDC onto the circuit board. The labeled TOP of the IDC faces away from the mounting surface.

*Place powered subwoofer in front of an electrical outlet, if possible.*

3N | Plug the provided subwoofer patch cord into the RCA plug on the wall box. Repeat 3M and 3N for the other end.

3P | Attach one wall box to mounting surface with 4 screws

3Q | Attach wall box backplate to surface with 2 screws

3R | Disconnect patch cords from both wall boxes, and the FlatWire from the non mounted wall box

3.2 | Click (A) top and (B) bottom of terminator gently together. Do NOT penetrate the wire.

3.4 | Clamp the terminator together with pliers. Make sure to penetrate the wire completely, and check that the connector is tightly snapped on all sides.

3.6 | Trim away the excess FlatWire, revealing the new, customized length!

3S | Adhere the subwoofer wire to the wall.

*Read and follow all directions on the spray adhesive, including the cautionary information provided in the instructions*

When mudding, shake the adhesive thoroughly, and spray directly onto the path you've drawn on the surface. Hold the can six to eight inches from the surface and apply with long sweeping motions, coating evenly. For ease of installation, spray in sections of eight feet or less. Wait 60 seconds for tack to develop.

When painting only, shake the adhesive thoroughly, and lay the wire onto a surface that can be discarded, such as spare paper or cardboard. Hold the can six to eight inches from the wire and apply with long sweeping motions, coating evenly. For ease of installation, spray in sections of three feet or less. Wait 60 seconds for tack to develop.

3U | Apply sweeping pressure with plastic smoother.

3V | Plug in wire and attach 2nd wall box & backplate to mounting surface

3X | Disconnect and remove the components; cover the wall boxes with painter's tape.

Step 4

4A | If painting only to conceal your FlatWire, paint now and then proceed to 4H. If mudding, apply the mesh tape over the FlatWire. Do not overlap the mesh as this creates unnecessary thickness. Leave about 1/4" gap between pieces of mesh.

4B | Use a wide putty knife to apply thin coats of concealing compound. You want to use as little as possible to conceal the wire, and start with a knife that is about 10 inches wide. Place a thin skim coat on each side of the wire run that starts at the center of the wire. Allow to dry. Wash the knife off between coats, as the compound can damage the blade if allowed to set.

*Keep in mind that concealing compound comes in a variety of drying times. The shorter the drying time, the less time in between steps, but the less flexibility you have while applying the compound.*

4C | Sand off the lumpy or uneven areas, high areas can usually be scraped even with the putty knife.

4D | Apply additional layers of compound as necessary. These coats can be applied with a narrower blade or just a narrower path over the first coat. The desired effect is a tapering of compound, thickest over the wire, and thinner at the edges. Apply only as much as is needed to cover the mesh threads or to create a smooth profile. Allow to dry and repeat as desired, sanding between coats.

4E | Sand the final coat of compound to produce a smooth surface. Change grit as desired, and use a wide, flat compound sander with the metal grid.

Please browse the site for additional tips & tricks as well as FAQs about product installation.

Contact FlatWire regarding the splicing of our products: 1.888.FLATWIRE