AWG - Large Speakers

[RedJacket]

What is the typical AWG number for the voice coil large, PA/Stadium speakers?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

If you’re asking what gauge speaker wire is typically used for PA systems between the amplifiers and speaker cabinets, the answer is 12 ga. If you’re asking about the voice coil windings of the drivers themselves, you’d have to check with the manufacturers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[markw]

Also, if the speakers are set up in a 70 volt system, the wire can be even thinner.

 

[highfigh]

What is the typical AWG number for the voice coil large, PA/Stadium speakers?

You mean a large, flown PA system for a major music act? The cables are pretty heavy and very flexible because they need to be moved frequently. The amplifiers are always near the stage, using active crossovers and each side has its own amplifiers. A large system can be in the 100KW range.

Voice coil gauge is sometimes mentioned in the spec sheets for the drivers but so many different drivers are used that it's impossible to generalize. Some use a rectangular wire, some use round, some use a ribbon wire (JBL) that's edge-wound (rather than flat on the voice coil former). Round wire is used less because round windings leave air spaces and the pro drivers need all of the magnetic flux they can get. The edge-wound wire also cools more effectively.