Deck Speaker wire

[gjunior]

I just had a guy run speaker wire from in my house to my deck outside. It looks pretty wimpy and I am wondering if it is sufficient. I am using Bose outdoor speakers. The speaker wire in question has this written on it:

high strand audio cable 2 cond 16 awg 65 ???? (can't read) outdoor use oxygen free copper c18262????

Thanks

 

[Rickster71]

I just had a guy run speaker wire from in my house to my deck outside. It looks pretty wimpy and I am wondering if it is sufficient. I am using Bose outdoor speakers. The speaker wire in question has this written on it:

high strand audio cable 2 cond 16 awg 65 ???? (can't read) outdoor use oxygen free copper c18262????

Thanks

When you say "had a guy run speaker wire..."
Was it a qualified installer that took into account the length of the wire run, the speaker load and the amp/receiver's ability to play to that load?

This is a good starting point Speaker Wire
You'll need the wire length, the ohm load of speaker and the load your receiver can handle.
Also, will the deck speakers will be used for background music or loud party volumes?

 

[BMXTRIX]

16/2 wiring, in a non-critical location should present no issue whatsoever. It is more typical to see 14 gauge wiring (14/2) The first number is the gauge of the wire, the thickness. Over longer distances you want thicker wiring, which means lower impedance, which means better sound. Thicker wire has a smaller number. So, 16 is thicker than 18, and 14 is thicker than 16. In home theater use, many people use 12 gauge or 14 gauge to preserve all the frequencies that are being presented to them. But, I have personally used 16 gauge wiring for long runs in non-critical listening locations with decent speakers, and couldn't discern any difference between that and using 12 gauge wire which I temporarily ran to test audible differences. Typically you need a good room with good acoustics and good equipment to start noticing those types of details in my experience. The 16/2 wiring in place will be fine... Now, whether or not the Bose speakers are any good is a completely different question. Worth researching Bose instead of just reading their marketing literature. What size are the drivers in the speakers you are using? What is their sensitivity? What was their cost to that of comparable models from other manufacturers?

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Audioholics has a guide to speaker wire sizing, but I've used this guide from Roger Russel's website for years. There's a handy table that gives guidelines for the gauge of wire to use based on your speakers and the length of wire that you're using. Those are only guidelines, btw, and they are based on having the wires represent a 5% or less of the total impedance of the system.

I use 16 AWG for my surround sound speakers, with total lengths on the order of ~30'. It works just fine for me.

Have you listened to your speakers, yet? If so, how do they sound to you?

EDIT: Wow, you sure can tell when most of us start browsing, can't you? No responses before I started typing, then three all at one time.

 

[Rickster71]

What are the chance?
Three posts within one minute of each other.

 

[Grador]

For in home shorter runs, I agree with the two that linked you to the various wire sizing guides for this I agree with BMX.

You're not going to be doing any critical listening on your deck with outdoor speakers, so even if there is some quality loss (and there may not be?) it isn't going to make a darn bit of difference here. The 16 gauge will do you just fine.

 

[j_garcia]

Bose speakers. Sound is already compromised regardless of wire j/k

If you turn it on and you get sound, I would say that's the important aspect here. I wouldn't worry about the size in this case, I'd be more concerned the jacket type used is appropriate for outdoor use.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Even non-outdoor cable tends to do alright, but since it is outdoor rated cable then the 16 gauge strands are plenty sufficient for the quality of audio which should be expected outdoors. I ran standard 16/2 to both my outdoor locations in my old home and it was great for the seven years I was there. Still was flexible and not cracking when I moved out.

 

[Gordonj]

As everyone has said the 16/2 should be just fine. To help it last a little longer make sure the cable is not in direct sunlight. The sun has a way of speeding up the aging process....

 

[gjunior]

Thanks to all that replied. I feel much better about it now. Really appreciate the advice.