YHT-497 Speaker Wire?

[bolle419]

Hey everyone!

I am brand new to the site and really looking for some quick advice on speaker wire. I understand there is a host of websites explaining the differences in the gauges, but could someone give me a recommendation to utilize my system in the best way possible? I have the YHT-497 Home Theater System and I would love to maximize it to its full potential but I don't know if I need 12, 14 or 16 gauge wire? Any help would be AWESOME. The wire it came with seems pretty low grade. Is there a particular brand worth investigating? Thanks!

 

[markw]

You won't be able to hear a difference between any of the three. If you want spade lus or bananna plugs on the ends of the wires, either Bluejeans or monoprice are about the best values you'll find. If you simply want wire with no ends on it, then either Lowes or Home Depot sells eneric 14 - 16 gauge on rolls for a pittance.

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Bollie419, welcome to Audioholics.

Didn't your theater come with wire from the manufacturer?

If I may add to what Mark posted.
Here is a good place to start: Speaker Wire

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

The Roger Russell site that Rick provided a link to is my favorite, and I use the table that isn't too far down on the page that shows recommended wire gauge versus wire distance. According to the owner's manual for your Yamaha system, the speakers are rated at 6 ohms nominal.

While the wires that come with those systems seems pretty thin, I'm guessing that you won't notice a difference if you upgrade it. However, if you're like me...you won't be happy until you find out. Like Mark said, you can get inexpensive speaker wires. You can pay more for aesthetics, though, which I have done.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Doesn't distance matter in all of this? What is the distance between the receiver and the speakers? The center? The left/right mains? The surround channels? Do you intend to wire in-wall or just along the floor? I typically go with 14 gauge wire from www.monoprice.com and call it a day. But, your distance, and long term goals make dictate some different wire for your setup.

 

[Adam]

Doesn't distance matter in all of this?

Yep - that's why we linked to a table that provides recommended gauge as a function of impedance (6 ohms in this case) and distance.

 

[bolle419]

should i change it to 6ohm or keep it at 8ohm? what's the difference?

 

[bolle419]

my speakers say 6ohm on the back of the speakers

 

[markw]

You really can't change anything from 6 to 8 ohms. That's the way the speakers are made.

That reading indicatss how hard the amp has to work to drive the speakers. The lower the ohms, the harder the amp works.

6 ohms is fine, particularly since they were included in a package with the receiver. Likewise, since they included sh!tty-a$$ thin wire, anything (recommended here) you buy will be an improvement.

 

[bolle419]

Sorry - let me clarify...I have the option on the receiver to set it to 6 or 8ohm? what would that do? Thanks to all of you being patient with me and answering these. You are being such a blessing.

 

[Pyrrho]

Sorry - let me clarify...I have the option on the receiver to set it to 6 or 8ohm? what would that do? Thanks to all of you being patient with me and answering these. You are being such a blessing.

Here is an article that you should read (the link is for the first page; be sure to read all the pages):

Setting the A/V Receiver Impedance Selector Switch | Audioholics

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sorry - let me clarify...I have the option on the receiver to set it to 6 or 8ohm? what would that do? Thanks to all of you being patient with me and answering these. You are being such a blessing.

OK, I checked on line and it seems that the speakers are not permanently attached to the receiver with a given length of wire. So, in that case, I would follow the guidelines in that link to the Russell web site. 14 ga should be plenty in most cases. But, you will have to manage to clip that wire into the spring clip for the front 3 speakers. The rears have a good post.