Want some tunes?

Today's technology can wire up any bedroom, bathroom or dock

By David Richards

(Updated: Friday, May 02, 2008, 2:44 PM)

How about a history lesson.

Do you remember the days when teenagers cranked up the volume of their dual-cassette stereo to get the sounds of Madonna and Aerosmith to stretch into the kitchen or into the backyard?

Or when the boombox had to be carted around from the bedroom to the bathroom?

Well, maybe not, but fortunately in the 21st century, there is an easier solution and one that isn't as likely to send in the neighbors or the police.

Handy homeowners can now install speakers pretty much anywhere inside or outside their home, and local electricians can help out those who are less skilled at wiring than others.

Speakers can jazz up any room and can add spice to any entertainment center as well.

Just simply put the receiver in one location, install the speakers where you want them and voila, no more chiropractic visits from lugging the boombox.

In Oakhurst, there are several businesses that can help folks looking to wire a yet-to-be-built home or those wanting to add a sound system to an existing residence.

Northwestern Electric, Andrew's Electric and Sierra Audio/Video are all located in Oakhurst and willing to install the goods.

"We put them everywhere--bathrooms, decks, outdoors and out on the dock," said Eric Rickman, owner of Northwestern Electric.

Andy Clendenning of Andrew's Electric said that audio and video wiring is also a popular choice in the larger custom mountain homes.

"It's seems like it's always getting more sophisticated," said Chuck Parish, owner of Sierra Audio/Video, about the equipment on today's market. "The idea is to do more, but make it less complicated to do more."

While this latest craze in household audio and video entertainment can be installed by a professional, those not afraid of tackling the wires or the walls can do it themselves.

One place to start is the Internet, which offers pages and pages of advice and directions.

The Family Handyman, at www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/44953, or Hometech Solutions at www.hometech.com/learn/audio.html, are just a few.

"For people who don't do it (often), I hear varying degrees of complaining," Parish said of tackling the job yourself. "My rule of thumb is to buy names that you know ... for the quality and the fact that it can be repaired. Low prices are tempting, but if it breaks it's history."

If that happens, you might just find yourself dusting off the boombox and giving a heads up to the chiropractor.