Ease of using 14 AWG wire in wall and with banana plugs

[Kruz]

After reading the roger russell site and searching I'm leaning towards going with 14 awg wire with banana plugs for an in wall installation with wire runs under 40 feet (speakers might have a nominal 4 ohm impedance) . Monoprice looks great for prices and I was wondering how easy is it to run 14 awg through the walls, around corners etc. Also will I have any issues attaching banana plugs to the wire?

If for the hell of it I went with 12 AWG (after reading the audioholics article) and paid the extra $10 for 100 feet would it be much more difficult to work with get the banana plugs on?

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

Not if you buy the correct banana plugs and wire that is relatively flexible. If you DO go 4 Ohm speakers, I'd just go 12AWG.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/v-interconnects-cables-power-conditioning/87723-speaker-wires-costly.html

 

[gene]

Here is our recommendation:
Speaker Cable Gauge (AWG) Guidelines & Recommendations | Audioholics

Go with 14/4 and twist the pairs together to get an equivalent 11AWG cable which will still be easy enough to terminate and route behind drywall.

 

[j_garcia]

Here is our recommendation:
Speaker Cable Gauge (AWG) Guidelines & Recommendations | Audioholics

Go with 14/4 and twist the pairs together to get an equivalent 11AWG cable which will still be easy enough to terminate and route behind drywall.

Will 14/4 be more flexible than a decent in wall 12? I know my 4S11 is pretty flexible.

 

[Kruz]

Thanks for the link! I like the suggestions for banana plugs in that thread. So 12AWG from monoprice wouldn't be too difficult to work with in-wall? I should mention the walls are finished and they would have to fish the wire through.

Not if you buy the correct banana plugs and wire that is relatively flexible. If you DO go 4 Ohm speakers, I'd just go 12AWG.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/v-interconnects-cables-power-conditioning/87723-speaker-wires-costly.html

 

[j_garcia]

Just make sure the wire is UL rated for in-wall use. I have fished 14 not 12AWG, but if the runs are pretty straight, I don't think it will be an issue with that or 14/4 since you are having it done by someone.

 

[Rickster71]

Thanks for the link! I like the suggestions for banana plugs in that thread. So 12AWG from monoprice wouldn't be too difficult to work with in-wall? I should mention the walls are finished and they would have to fish the wire through.

Fishing wire vertically in a stud bay won't be difficult.
If going horizontally you'll have to cut the drywall at each stud to drill a hole. Or notch out to jump over the stud and patch the wall.
If pulling through more than one 90 degree bend, you'll need a helper to feed wire.
Don't forget to use CL-2 or CL-3 rated wire.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah, even with the sheetrock off, going horizontal is a bit more time consuming. Only had to drill one hole going vertical for my dad's wiring and they placed the junction boxes for us when they finished the walls so all I had to do was terminate and install the panels.

 

[Jeff R.]

Depending on your room layout it can be easy to do if you pull off the base boards and run it behind those. It can make an easy DIY vs dry wall patch work.


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[Alex2507]

Depending on your room layout it can be easy to do if you pull off the base boards and run it behind those. It can make an easy DIY vs dry wall patch work.

I like the idea of removing the drywall and then living with it like that for about 6 months or so.
The wife loved it too.

 

[itschris]

I used 14 in my setup and I had no issues. I actually had to run down the drywall space next to the chimney then go 2ft, a 90, 7ft, another 90. I just pulled the baseboards and cut out about 2 extra inches of drywall along the run and laid the wires in the channel. I put the baseboards back up... nice and neat... easy-peasy.

 

[Rickster71]

I like the idea of removing the drywall and then living with it like that for about 6 months or so.
The wife loved it too.

I'm sure she forgot all about it.... once you got her that kitchen faucet for Christmas.

 

[Kruz]

lol too funny

I like the idea of removing the drywall and then living with it like that for about 6 months or so.
The wife loved it too.