Speaker wire question

[OutlawNut]

Hey guys, I got a quick question. Well first let me tell you what I have:
2 S6 Mains V.2,
Outlaw Audio 990
5 Outlaw Monoblock Amps (2200s). The Monoblocks are using XLR connections to the 990.
Termination plates take a max AWG of 14.

So I am in the market to buy some speaker cable at the moment. Saw the websites making fun of monster and overpriced cable stating lamp cord was just as good..I checked out Bluejeans cable and I am interested in the Canare 4S11 cable for two reasons. The run between the 990 and the S6s is about 60 feet (Up wall, across attic down wall to term. plate). I want to use the 4S11 not for its Bi-wiring abilities but because there are two pair inside the cable making it more cost effective to run and less wires in general all over the place. This may sound like a dumb question but, if I were to use the pairs inside the 4S11 for each speaker would that be ok ? I figured it would but I'd ask first. Also on Canare's site they are saying that the 4S11 is for low-power stuff, and that the 4S8 is better for higher power speakers etc. I can't see how this will matter since copper is copper right ? I figured if anything the 4S11 is better because the guage of wire is thicker given the amount of wattage I'll crank through it.

An alternative would be to buy some Belden 5100 UP but thats more cable to pull ..

 

[Adam]

Hey, OutlawNut. The gauge of the 4S11 is fine at 14 AWG. Your speakers are listed (at least where I looked) at 8 ohms, and according to my favorite speaker wire gauge site, you would be fine using 14 AWG over a 60 foot run.

However, the 4S11 is not rated for in-wall use, if I read Blue Jeans site correctly. Your description leads me to believe that you are going to run this in-wall, in which case you should get a wire that is rated for it (like BJC's Belden 5000 series).

EDIT: I don't have a link, but I do recall that you can buy four-conductor wire that is rated for in-wall use.

 

[OutlawNut]

Hey, OutlawNut. The gauge of the 4S11 is fine at 14 AWG. Your speakers are listed (at least where I looked) at 8 ohms, and according to my favorite speaker wire gauge site, you would be fine using 14 AWG over a 60 foot run.

However, the 4S11 is not rated for in-wall use, if I read Blue Jeans site correctly. Your description leads me to believe that you are going to run this in-wall, in which case you should get a wire that is rated for it (like BJC's Belden 5000 series).

EDIT: I don't have a link, but I do recall that you can buy four-conductor wire that is rated for in-wall use.

yea, its low voltage so I doubt in wall rated really matters .. Its like plenum rated cable for Cat5. It just means its fire retardant. I need to stay at 14AWG since thats the max my wall plates can do.

 

[Rickster71]

Hi OutlawNut, below is a link to an Audioholic's article on speaker cable, it's very informative.
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge
If I may add; if it were me, and I had nice equipment as you do.
I'd use the same 4 conductor wire you've mentioned, except in-wall rated CL-2 14 and tie them together. By doubling them up it increases the gauge to around 11 AWG for the fronts.
Though I would use your idea for the rear surrounds. IMHO

As for CL-2 or CL-3 rated wire, if the work is being inspected you'll fail, without it.
If and when you go to sell your house, you will have to take it out.

 

[MDS]

...and if you are ever so unfortunate to have a fire of any kind your insurance won't pay to repair the damage because you willfully disobeyed the fire code. You can buy 14/4 cl2 or higher wire just about anywhere - even Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[OutlawNut]

Hi OutlawNut, below is a link to an Audioholic's article on speaker cable, it's very informative.
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge
If I may add; if it were me, and I had nice equipment as you do.
I'd use the same 4 conductor wire you've mentioned, except in-wall rated CL-2 14 and tie them together. By doubling them up it increases the gauge to around 11 AWG for the fronts.
Though I would use your idea for the rear surrounds. IMHO

As for CL-2 or CL-3 rated wire, if the work is being inspected you'll fail, without it.
If and when you go to sell your house, you will have to take it out.

Ok cool I'll check out the link! When you say 'tie them together' there would be nothing to tie together since its already 4 conductor wire inside of a sleeve. Maybe you would run two seperate sets for each speaker then tie them together is that what you are saying ? Also I didn't mention anything about the rear surrounds ??? Also when I use 4 conductor wire one pair would go only to one speaker .. Is how I would do it ? You are saying to biwire them ?

 

[Rickster71]

Ok cool I'll check out the link! When you say 'tie them together' there would be nothing to tie together since its already 4 conductor wire inside of a sleeve. Maybe you would run two seperate sets for each speaker then tie them together is that what you are saying ? Also I didn't mention anything about the rear surrounds ??? Also when I use 4 conductor wire one pair would go only to one speaker .. Is how I would do it ? You are saying to biwire them ?

Enjoy your Paradigm S6's and welcome, from a fellow Paradigm owner. I have the S8's
It sounds like you have a solution, on another thread; though to answer your question.
Enclosed is a link with picture.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=4040&seq=1&format=2
So for example, you would tie together the red and green, for the plus side, and blue and black would be negative. That would be for the right channel, and with another cable, repeat for the left side. It's much more flexible and easier to pull, than 10 AWG.

My bad, I thought you had surrounds.

 

[OutlawNut]

Enjoy your Paradigm S6's and welcome, from a fellow Paradigm owner. I have the S8's
It sounds like you have a solution, on another thread; though to answer your question.
Enclosed is a link with picture.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=4040&seq=1&format=2
So for example, you would tie together the red and green, for the plus side, and blue and black would be negative. That would be for the right channel, and with another cable, repeat for the left side. It's much more flexible and easier to pull, than 10 AWG.

My bad, I thought you had surrounds.

Thanks Rick! Yea I am going to go with 10AWG wire .. Already got 200FT from Bluejeanscable. I wanted a one cable solution because less holes/boxes in the wall are better .. hehe Anyways ..

Have you had a chance to listen to a Servo 15 ? I just bought one and man its awesome. Best sub ever, no rattles good clean bass and tons of it! Has no problems reaching down low. You should add one!

 

[Rickster71]

Thanks Rick! Yea I am going to go with 10AWG wire .. Already got 200FT from Bluejeanscable. I wanted a one cable solution because less holes/boxes in the wall are better .. hehe Anyways ..

Have you had a chance to listen to a Servo 15 ? I just bought one and man its awesome. Best sub ever, no rattles good clean bass and tons of it! Has no problems reaching down low. You should add one!

I'll bet your Servo sounds great.
A Seismic 12 works ok in the room I have now.
Someday when I get a dedicated theater room I'll get something bigger.
(hint for my wife)