A media wall can make a TV setup look clean and built in, but the audio side needs just as much thought as the screen. If you want a soundbar recess, hidden speakers, tidy cable routes or space for devices, those details should be planned before the wall is built. This guide covers what to think about, what measurements matter, and how to avoid a layout that looks neat but works badly.
Contents
- Quick answer
- Why audio planning matters in a media wall
- Should you build in a soundbar?
- Speaker planning basics
- What measurements to take before the build
- Hidden cables, sockets and device access
- How fireplaces affect soundbar and speaker layouts
- Small room audio planning tips
- Common mistakes to avoid
- What to send for advice or a quote
- FAQs
Quick answer
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Yes, you should plan your soundbar and speakers before the media wall is built, not after.
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A soundbar recess can look very clean, but it needs the right size, position and cable access to work properly.
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Speaker setups affect wall width, storage and wiring, especially if you want a tidy built-in look with no visible clutter.
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The TV, soundbar, sockets and devices should all be planned together so the wall works as one setup.
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The best first step is to send a wall photo, TV size and your audio setup details so the layout can be judged properly.
Why audio planning matters in a media wall
Many people start a media wall by thinking about the TV size and the look of the finished wall. That makes sense. The screen is the most obvious part of the room.
But if you care about sound quality, a soundbar, speakers, hidden wiring or a neat device setup, the audio side needs planning just as early.
This is where a lot of media walls fall short. The TV is positioned nicely, the front looks clean, and then the soundbar is squeezed in afterwards or the cables end up being worked around the finished wall instead of built into it properly.
A media wall should make the whole setup cleaner, not only the screen area. That means the audio equipment needs to be part of the design from the start.
Should you build in a soundbar?
In many homes, yes. A soundbar is one of the most popular audio choices for a media wall because it can improve the sound without turning the room into a full speaker-led setup.
It can also work very well visually, but only if it is planned properly.
Why a soundbar works well in a media wall
- It keeps the setup neat and compact
- It suits TV-led rooms where you want better sound without too much extra hardware
- It can be recessed or built into the lower part of the wall cleanly
- It often fits well with modern design-led spaces
What can go wrong
A soundbar can become awkward if the recess is too tight, if the wall does not allow sensible cable access, or if the soundbar position forces the TV too high or too low.
That is why the wall should be planned around the actual soundbar size, not a rough assumption.
Should the soundbar be recessed?
Sometimes that gives the cleanest result. In other rooms, a simple shelf or open section works better. The right choice depends on the look you want, the size of the unit, and how much emphasis you want on easy access versus a fully built-in finish.
What about speakers instead of a soundbar?
That can work very well too, but the planning usually becomes a bit more involved.
Some homeowners want the media wall to be built around a fuller audio setup rather than a single soundbar. That may include front speakers, concealed device space, shelving, or a layout that supports a more serious viewing setup.
Speaker setups need more thought around space
Speakers can affect wall width, alcove use, shelf design and storage. They can also influence whether the wall should stay simple or extend into the full width of the room.
The room still needs to feel balanced
Just because the equipment matters does not mean the wall should become cluttered. The best setups still feel part of the room.
Think about access
If devices, amps or other equipment are part of the setup, they need sensible access and tidy cable management. A wall that looks clean but is difficult to use day to day is not a good result.
If your focus is the overall TV wall design first, then the best broader page to compare against is TV media walls. That helps you keep the audio planning grounded in the overall wall layout.
What should you measure before the build starts?
This is where the planning becomes practical.
Before a media wall is designed around a soundbar or speakers, it helps to know a few basics.
TV size
The screen is still the main visual anchor. Its width and height affect where the soundbar sits and how much room is left below it.
Soundbar or speaker dimensions
Do not guess. Use the real measurements. Even small differences can matter once a recess or shelf is built around the unit.
Wall width and room shape
The available wall width affects whether the setup should stay simple or use the full wall more deliberately.
Seating position
Your sofa position still matters because it affects TV height, soundbar placement and the overall feel of the room.
Device requirements
If you need space for set-top boxes, consoles, routers or other equipment, that needs thinking through early. The wall should support the real setup you use, not only the ideal front view.
How should cables, sockets and devices be handled?
This is one of the biggest reasons people choose a media wall in the first place. They want the setup to look cleaner.
That only works when the hidden parts have been thought through properly.
Plan power early
The sockets need to suit the TV, soundbar, any fire, lighting and device layout. If that is left too late, the finished wall often ends up relying on workarounds.
Think about access, not only appearance
Concealed device space can be useful, but it should still be practical. You want a wall that stays tidy and remains easy to use.
Do not treat the audio as an afterthought
If the soundbar or speaker setup is important, its cable route and power position should be part of the original plan.
The most useful supporting guide here is Planning sockets and wiring for a media wall. It explains why the power layout and cable planning matter just as much as the front design.
How does a fireplace affect soundbar and speaker planning?
A fireplace changes the centre section, which means it often changes the audio layout too.
If a fire sits below the TV, the soundbar has to be positioned within the remaining space. That can influence TV height, gap sizes, and how the whole wall feels visually.
Why fireplace walls need more care
- The TV, soundbar and fireplace all compete for the same vertical zone
- The centre section can become crowded if the layout is not judged carefully
- TV height may be affected
- The audio position may need more compromise than on a no-fire wall
This does not mean fireplace walls cannot work well with soundbars or speakers. It means the planning needs to be realistic. In some rooms it works brilliantly. In others, a no-fire wall makes the audio setup easier and cleaner.
If you are weighing up that option, compare this guide with the integrated fireplace page so you can judge how the added feature changes the layout.
Small room tips for media wall audio planning
Small rooms usually benefit from cleaner decisions.
If the space is tight, the media wall should not try to become a showroom for every possible feature. That applies to audio as well as storage and design.
Keep the audio setup honest
A soundbar often suits smaller rooms very well because it improves the sound without adding lots of separate hardware.
Do not overload the centre section
If the TV, a fireplace, a soundbar and extra shelving are all competing for the same area, the wall can become too busy very quickly.
Protect TV height and comfort
In a small room you are usually sitting closer to the wall, so TV position matters even more. The soundbar should fit the layout, not ruin it.
If you are working with a compact lounge or snug, it helps to read Do media walls work in small rooms? as well. It gives useful context for keeping the overall wall balanced.
Common mistakes with soundbar and speaker media wall planning
Choosing the wall layout before the audio setup
This is probably the most common mistake. The wall ends up dictating the soundbar position rather than supporting it.
Guessing the soundbar size
That can lead to a recess that feels too tight, too loose or visually wrong.
Forgetting about cable access
A clean front view is not enough if the setup behind it becomes awkward to use or update.
Trying to squeeze too much into the centre section
TV, soundbar and fireplace can all work together, but the proportions need careful thought.
Ignoring the day-to-day use of the room
The wall should suit how you actually watch and listen, not only how it looks in a concept image.
What should you send for advice or a quote?
The easiest way to judge the right soundbar or speaker layout is to start with the actual room and equipment.
- A photo of the wall
- A wider room photo if possible
- Your TV size
- Your soundbar model or measurements, or details of the speakers you want to plan around
- Whether you want a fireplace
- Whether you need hidden device space, cupboards or shelves
That is usually enough to say whether a soundbar recess makes sense, whether the TV height will still work, and how the wiring should be planned.
FAQs
Should I build a recess for my soundbar?
Sometimes yes, especially if you want a cleaner built-in finish. The key is making sure the recess suits the actual soundbar size and still allows sensible cable access.
Can a media wall be built around speakers instead of a soundbar?
Yes. It can work very well, but it usually needs more planning around wall width, storage, cable management and device access.
Will a fireplace make soundbar planning harder?
It often adds another layer to the layout because the TV, soundbar and fireplace all need to share the centre section. In some rooms it works well. In others a no-fire wall is easier to balance.
What measurements should I have ready?
Have your TV size, soundbar or speaker measurements, wall photo and room photo ready. That makes it much easier to judge what layout is realistic.
What is the best way to get advice on my AV layout?
Send a photo of the wall, your TV size, and the audio equipment details. That gives a much stronger basis for planning than a generic idea alone.
Plan the sound as carefully as the screen
A media wall should make the whole setup feel cleaner, not only the TV area. If you want a soundbar recess, speakers, hidden cables or built-in device space, those details need to be planned before the wall is built.
The best result comes from treating the TV, audio equipment, storage and wiring as one layout from the start.
Send a photo of your wall, your TV size and your soundbar or speaker details. Media Wall Master can tell you what is realistic and what kind of layout is likely to work best in the space.
Call 07477 405111 or email dan@mediawallmaster.co.uk