Bi-Wire gauge question

[benkatz]

Hello,

I've got a question - I recently read the Audioholics article on wire gauge and recommendations, and I came across this part:

"14/4 cable is another good choice that is easier to terminate and has an effective gauge of 11 AWG "

So does that mean that using 2 strands of 14 AWG cable (in a bi-wire configuration) is the equivalent of one 11 AWG cable?

Thanks!

 

[PENG]

Hello,

I've got a question - I recently read the Audioholics article on wire gauge and recommendations, and I came across this part:

"14/4 cable is another good choice that is easier to terminate and has an effective gauge of 11 AWG "

So does that mean that using 2 strands of 14 AWG cable (in a bi-wire configuration) is the equivalent of one 11 AWG cable?

Thanks!

In terms of resistivity, two parallel runs of 14 AWG is a close approximation to one single run of 11 AWG, but no, equivalency does not work like that in a bi-wire configuration. In a typical bi-wire configuration, one run will feed the bass driver(s) and the other will feed the mid range driver(s) and the tweeter, or one run will feed the bass and mid range driver(s), the other will feed the tweeter. The bass and mid range drivers obvious take a lot more current than the tweeter.

 

[Grant.M]

Hello,

I've got a question - I recently read the Audioholics article on wire gauge and recommendations, and I came across this part:

"14/4 cable is another good choice that is easier to terminate and has an effective gauge of 11 AWG "

So does that mean that using 2 strands of 14 AWG cable (in a bi-wire configuration) is the equivalent of one 11 AWG cable?

Thanks!

If you use two strands of the same gauge (AWG anyway) then the effective gauge is three less.
E.g. 16AWG + 16AWG = 13AWG
14AWG + 14AWG = 11AWG
12AWG + 12AWG = 9AWG

 

[Grant.M]

Take PENG’s word on that, he knows his stuff!

 

[benkatz]

In terms of resistivity, two parallel runs of 14 AWG is a close approximation to one single run of 11 AWG, but no, equivalency does not work like that in a bi-wire configuration. In a typical bi-wire configuration, one run will feed the bass driver(s) and the other will feed the mid range driver(s) and the tweeter, or one run will feed the bass and mid range driver(s), the other will feed the tweeter. The bass and mid range drivers obvious take a lot more current than the tweeter.

So what's better, 2 strands of 14 AWG in bi-wire config, or one strand of let's say 12 or 11 AWG?

 

[Grant.M]

So what's better, 2 strands of 14 AWG in bi-wire config, or one strand of let's say 12 or 11 AWG?

Not to speak for PENG, but there honestly isn’t any real difference in bi-wiring beyond lowering resistance of your cables by effectively using a a larger gauge.

 

[benkatz]

Not to speak for PENG, but there honestly isn’t any real difference in bi-wiring beyond lowering resistance of your cables by effectively using a a larger gauge.

So that would be a "no difference between 2x14awg and 1x11awg", right?

I'm asking because I'm trying to chose between (2x) Van Den Hul Clearwater 14AWG - 10 euro/m and (1x) Van Den Hul D352 Hybrid 10 AWG - 30 euro/m.

 

[Grant.M]

So that would be a "no difference between 2x14awg and 1x11awg", right?

Essentially, no.

 

[Grant.M]

So that would be a "no difference between 2x14awg and 1x11awg", right?

I'm asking because I'm trying to chose between (2x) Van Den Hul Clearwater 14AWG - 10 euro/m and (1x) Van Den Hul D352 Hybrid 10 AWG - 30 euro/m.

I saw you added some cables to your post. There is no benefit to buying more expensive cables beyond the aesthetic value. You’d be better off (your wallet anyway) just ordering some run of the mill OFC 10AWG copper wire and using that to be honest. And if you want to you can buy some quality banana plugs to terminate the cables with!

I’d recommend watching that video if you got the time. Gene and Hugo put together a really informative video regarding speaker cables.

 

[TLS Guy]

So what's better, 2 strands of 14 AWG in bi-wire config, or one strand of let's say 12 or 11 AWG?

One strand of 11 or 12 AWG is better.

 

[ryanosaur]

This is a very good source for info about speaker cable too:
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
Unless you have some crazy long cable runs, most seem to agree that 14AWG is fine... I chose 12AWG for my system.
Depending on what is available to you where you live... I recommend Monoprice Choice speaker cable. It’s easy to get, cost efficient, and works well.

 

[3db]

One strand of 11 or 12 AWG is better.

Better how?

 

[ryanosaur]

I saw you added some cables to your post. There is no benefit to buying more expensive cables beyond the aesthetic value. You’d be better off (your wallet anyway) just ordering some run of the mill OFC 10AWG copper wire and using that to be honest. And if you want to you can buy some quality banana plugs to terminate the cables with!

I’d recommend watching that video if you got the time. Gene and Hugo put together a really informative video regarding speaker cables.

@benkatz here is another video to help out, too:

 

[TLS Guy]

So that would be a "no difference between 2x14awg and 1x11awg", right?

I'm asking because I'm trying to chose between (2x) Van Den Hul Clearwater 14AWG - 10 euro/m and (1x) Van Den Hul D352 Hybrid 10 AWG - 30 euro/m.

Why are you buying funny wire? Just buy good quality Belden cable from Parts Express. If the run is short 12 AWG is fine and 10 AWG for longer runs. Remember 4 ohm requires lower AWG cables than 8. However be careful as manufacturers distort the truth with impedance ratings and you are best to assume speakers are 4 ohm especially in the bass where the power is.

Total resistance of the cables is what matters. You can check that with an ohm meter by joining the ends together at one end and measuring at the other. So really you want to keep the total resistance below 0.05 ohm for 4 ohm speakers and 0.1 ohm if they are truly 8 ohm.

The problem with too much resistance in the cable is that it tends to make the amp follow the impedance curve of the speaker which is not what you want at all.

 

[TLS Guy]

One strand of 11 or 12 AWG is better.

He is talking bi wiring, so the single cable will have lower resistance in the bass where impedance drops from BSC.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I don't think he is talking about true bi-wiring to separate connections on the speakers. I think he is just talking about doubling up the cabling vs. running a single cable.

In which case, I wouldn't think there would be any benefit to running 11g vs. 14/4 wiring and doubling it up. If the connection to the speaker is the same, then the result will be the same. In reality, if the run is within the distance in which 14g wiring is plenty, then doubling up or running a single 11g wire will show no advantage either way as there is no sonic advantage over a shorter distance with thicker wire under measured electrical results.

It is also absolutely insane to spend 10 bucks for 3 feet of cable. Get cheap, quality, copper speaker cable and be done with it.

100' of Monoprice 12/4 cable is 83 bucks. That's 83 cents a foot for quality cable and is likely overkill for most applications.

 

[Phase 2]

Hello,

I've got a question - I recently read the Audioholics article on wire gauge and recommendations, and I came across this part:

"14/4 cable is another good choice that is easier to terminate and has an effective gauge of 11 AWG "

So does that mean that using 2 strands of 14 AWG cable (in a bi-wire configuration) is the equivalent of one 11 AWG cable?

Thanks!

Just use AWG, 14 g or 12g you'll be ok..all copper.

 

[mtrycrafts]

There may be some confusion or misunderstanding here and perhaps in that quote. If you bi-wire, remove the jumper strap at the speakers, that 14-4 cable is only 14 ga to each terminal. If you do not remove that jumper, then it is an effective 11 ga wire, 2 14 ga wire in parallel becomes 11 ga but then it is not a bi-wire setup.