In summary, I have the most confidence when my speakers are mounted on L-bracket wall mounts. This will require some DIY as you need to locate the stud and drill into it, but once you have the mounts securely installed, you can hang almost any size of a speaker from it safely. If drilling is not an option, I recommend using Command Hooks for smaller speakers under 5 pounds.
Now let’s dig a little deeper into the different options you can consider.
Strong Adhesives
Using adhesives to stick your speakers to the wall might sound strange, but it can also be effective and safe for your speakers and walls. If you are renting and unable to drill into the walls, using a surface adhesive might be your only option.
For lightweight speakers, such as those weighing 5 pounds or less, I would recommend using Command Hooks. You can find these at most hardware and home improvement stores. They’re white plastic hooks with heavy-duty adhesive to secure them to the wall. But their biggest benefit is you can remove them at any time without damaging the walls or leaving a sticky residue behind.
If your speakers are more than 5 pounds but less than 12 pounds, Alien Tape is a better option to consider. It can be useful for securing soundbars to the wall as well. It comes in a large roll, and you can cut off the length of adhesive you need for the speakers or soundbar.
With Alien Tape, simply cut the length of adhesive you need, apply it to your speaker or soundbar, and press firmly to ensure it gets a good grip. Clean your wall with a bit of rubbing alcohol and let it dry, then press the speaker or soundbar onto the wall and hold it for a minute until it feels secure.
Steel L-Bracket Wall Mount
If you’re installing large or heavy speakers and can drill into the walls, your safest option would be to use an L-shaped mounting bracket, sometimes called a boom mount. These usually are made from machined steel and, if installed correctly, can hold up to 120 pounds.
Proper installation would be the biggest thing to consider here. You will need to drill into the wall studs to ensure a secure placement and proper load-bearing abilities. However, once installed securely, you can customize your entire studio to have speakers in the best spots to get a full cinematic surround sound experience.
Some of the tools you will need for installing a heavy-duty wall-mount are:
- Drill with assorted bits for your wall type
- Stud finder to ensure you can locate the stud
- Laser level if you will be installing multiple speakers
- Wall anchors for securing the bolts into the stud and wall
Picture Hooks
Like the Command Hooks, picture hooks can hold considerably more weight but require hammering small nails into the wall. Once installed, however, picture hooks can hold speakers up to 30 pounds in weight.
You will find picture hooks with different weight ratings, so be sure to get the hooks that are rated for more than what your speaker weighs. In fact, I would recommend going with twice the weight rating for extra safety. If your speaker weighs 15 pounds, look for a picture hook with a 30-pound rating.
Installing picture hooks is simple and very quick. Simply decide on the location you want your speaker to hang and install the hook. It usually requires two straight nails, which you can hammer directly into the wall with no pre-drilling required.
Conclusion
If I had to pick a single method for hanging a speaker on the wall, I would definitely recommend going with the heavy-duty L-bracket wall mounts. You will need to drill into the wall stud for proper installation, but once installed, it can offer years of heavy-duty support for speakers of all sizes.
If you are renting your home and simply cannot drill into the walls, Command Hooks are a second option you can go with. I have used them for hanging a variety of things with great results. They work on wallpaper, glass, varnished wood, and other smooth surfaces and will release from all of those surfaces with no problems.