12/2 or 12/4??

[hglass]

I'm going to install my rear surround speakers. The speakers are to be bi-wired. Should I use a 12/4 cable or run 2 sets of wires 12/2 and join the cables at the amp.? Will I get better sound from the two sets of 12/2 or am I wasting money?

 

[bandphan]

Dont bi wire them, and all will be good

 

[Alex2507]

How far away are the surrounds?

Bandphan is right about this though.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm going to install my rear surround speakers. The speakers are to be bi-wired. Should I use a 12/4 cable or run 2 sets of wires 12/2 and join the cables at the amp.? Will I get better sound from the two sets of 12/2 or am I wasting money?

These are surrounds not mains. Don't get all concerned about juicing up the wire for them.

Two things I need to know?

How long is the cable run estimated to be?

What speakers are you using(links are appreciated)?

 

[bandphan]

How far away are the surrounds?

Bandphan is right about this though.

The 12 awg thing is overkill in most all surround applications 14/4-16/4.... I use to hate when guys would spec it and Id have to pull it

 

[mtrycrafts]

....... I use to hate when guys would spec it and Id have to pull it

But it builds muscle and character

 

[bandphan]

But it builds muscle and character

And creates social divide

 

[BigSkreen]

This is what AH has to say about it: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge

12/2 is probably more than enough. If you are running in wall consider 14/4 or 12/4 then its only one pull for you and you can drop it in a panel that breaks out in banana connectors.

 

[DaveHo]

Bi-wire is overkill for surround speakers. I see no problem running 12/2, it's what I use for my surrounds. My run is about 35-40ft. It's no harder to pull then 14/2 in my experience. Use CL2 or CL3 rated wire.

-Dave

 

[ozmedia]

I'm going to install my rear surround speakers. The speakers are to be bi-wired. Should I use a 12/4 cable or run 2 sets of wires 12/2 and join the cables at the amp.? Will I get better sound from the two sets of 12/2 or am I wasting money?

My 2 cents:

Wasting money would be using 12 AWG to begin with. Have never seen an installer or theatre designer use more than 14/2 AWG for rear in-wall/ceiling runs unless they are out to impress the owner with fancy cables that are visible in the rack. You can have peace of mind knowing that you used nice fat pipes in the walls, however it really isn't necessary.

Just run 2 14/2 runs and you are good to go, no need to bi-wire or use 12AWG. Just use a decent cable made in the US, not China (I've carried both and there's a major difference, it's not worth it just to save a few dollars), as you will get better insualtion and less kinking when pulling the wires through.

 

[j_garcia]

Unless you are using giant 4 Ohm surrounds that are 100ft away from the amplification, there is no need for 12AWG.