Outdoor speaker wire

[MIKED33]

Not sure if this is the right area for this question.

Can someone recommend some decent speaker wire to run outdoors on a deck?
I'm using Polk Audio Atrium 45s. I'm not sure what gauge I need? A link would be helpful.

Thanks for your advice.
Mike

[OttoMatic]

Hi Mike,

In general, the length of your run will determine the gauge required. How far is it from your amp to your speakers? Unless you have a run more than, say, 50 feet, I'm pretty sure that 14 gauge will work.

How much is it actually going to be outside and in the elements? If it's not susceptible to lots of sun and weather (e.g., mounted to the underside of a deck or under an overhang/roof), I would probably just go with some 12 or 14 gauge from Home Depot.

I believe that the in-wall rated stuff is called CL-2 and it's also available at Home Depot/Lowe's. I'm not sure the difference between it and the "normal" stuff, but it may be more resilient to those types of effects (it may also be a fire-retardant thing that makes it "CL-2"). I'd also check that out.

Anyway, a couple thoughts...

[mtrycrafts]

Not sure if this is the right area for this question.

Can someone recommend some decent speaker wire to run outdoors on a deck?
I'm using Polk Audio Atrium 45s. I'm not sure what gauge I need? A link would be helpful.

Thanks for your advice.
Mike

I would use low voltage landscape wire and the wire gauge as mentioned by otto. Home Depot should have them too.

[MDS]

The stuff that is resistant to outdoor weather affects is 'direct burial' wire and the low voltage landscape wire is probably in that classification.

CL-2 and similar designations for in-wall installation simply don't burn as easily and won't give off toxic fumes in the case that it does burn. That won't do anything for you in terms of being resistant to mother nature.

[patnshan]

I got some stuff from radio shack that was made for outdoor use. It is black and works fine. It is only 16 gauge though, but works fine for my cheapy outdoor speakers.

Pat