Outdoor Speaker Wire

[cdotger]

Hello All,

I have settled on purchasing a set of Boston Acoustics Voyager 5 outdoor speakers. I will be mounting them on either side of my frech doors. My receiver is in the basement, so I plan on drilling a hile through the brick and running a 4 conductor speaker wire to a volume control and then a 2 conductire wire to each speaker. My question is, what speaker wire do you guys recommend for outdoor use. I am trying to get away from conduit, as I have to run the wires up the wall to the speakers.

Thanks,

-Carl

[j_garcia]

Direct burial wire is what you want once you are outside, even if you aren't going to bury it. It's jacket is designed to withstand the elements.

[RLA]

Direct burial wire is what you want

j is correct
This is also the wire used for low voltage outdoor lighting
It is stranded with a black UV cover and is available in 12&14 gauge 100 ft roll's.
Home Depot has it in the electrical dept or with the low voltage outdoor lighting

[mtrycrafts]

Hello All,

I have settled on purchasing a set of Boston Acoustics Voyager 5 outdoor speakers. I will be mounting them on either side of my frech doors. My receiver is in the basement, so I plan on drilling a hile through the brick and running a 4 conductor speaker wire to a volume control and then a 2 conductire wire to each speaker. My question is, what speaker wire do you guys recommend for outdoor use. I am trying to get away from conduit, as I have to run the wires up the wall to the speakers.

Thanks,

-Carl


Get some low voltage landscape wire, designed for out door use and is flexible. How far is the run? 12ga should do you unless very long run.

[cdotger]

Thanks to all for your responses. The run will not be long as they will hang on the outside wall of my house. 2 questions, will the low voltage landscape wire provide for ample sound quality? and lastly, do I run the landscape wire in the house also (I have to run some in wall once in the basement to get to receiver) Thanks for your replies.

Any opinions on the voyager series speakers by BA?

[JohnA]

If the speakers will be mounted directly to the house and the hole for the wire (coming from the house) is behind each speaker then you would be able to use In-wall speaker wire. You would only have like 2-4 inches outside which wouldn't be a problem. But, if you need to run "x" feet outside to reach the volume control then direct burial wire should be used until you get to the volume control, and then you can use In-wall rated (CL2 or CL3) speaker wire. You can NOT use regular "zip cord" or Direct Burial wire for In-wall use.

[Tsunamii]

it never hurts to drop the wire into flexable PVC it adds more protection to the wire. Depending on where you live make sure you bury it deep enough so it does not pop back up after the freeze thaw cycle.

[JohnA]

it never hurts to drop the wire into flexable PVC it adds more protection to the wire. Depending on where you live make sure you bury it deep enough so it does not pop back up after the freeze thaw cycle.

If you are going to bury the wire, it doesn't have to be in conduit, but it does help, also it can't be in "flexible PVC" the type you find inside a home (the orange or blue stuff) to pull wire. To meet code either use Direct Burial wire or electrical conduit, which is the gray PVC (not the white for water lines) that you can pick up at Home Depot or Lowes...also it is to be used in ground, once it is over 1' above the ground it needs to be in EMT conduit. Just FYI to do it right.

[cdotger]

Once again thanks for your replies. I cannot run the wire in wall and get to speakers on outside of house due to house construction. I think I will now use conduit from the basement underground to the place that the wire will come out from the ground. I think I am also more comfortable running the 4 conductor monster through the conduit to the volume control since It is rated for in wall use as well. Then maybe from volume control I will use the 2 conductor landscape low voltage wire to each speaker. (Tryin to get aware from running lots of conduit on the outside brick walls for appearance sake)

Let me know your thoughts.

[JohnA]

Once again thanks for your replies. I cannot run the wire in wall and get to speakers on outside of house due to house construction. I think I will now use conduit from the basement underground to the place that the wire will come out from the ground. I think I am also more comfortable running the 4 conductor monster through the conduit to the volume control since It is rated for in wall use as well. Then maybe from volume control I will use the 2 conductor landscape low voltage wire to each speaker. (Tryin to get aware from running lots of conduit on the outside brick walls for appearance sake)

Let me know your thoughts.

If you have the monster use it, but I would go for some lower cost in-wall stuff if you have to buy it.

[soundruid]

I would just like to add a quick tip here. Leave an 8" - 12" service loop behind where your speakers will mount. Dress it nicely with some wire ties. This way when the wire oxidizes over time. (which it will) you can cut off an inch or so to expose some clean wire as you need it.

[JohnA]

I would just like to add a quick tip here. Leave an 8" - 12" service loop behind where your speakers will mount. Dress it nicely with some wire ties. This way when the wire oxidizes over time. (which it will) you can cut off an inch or so to expose some clean wire as you need it.

Good point....or if he is handy with a soldering iron, he could tin the ends. ;)