Cable requirements for outdoor speakers?

[mtbound10]

I am going to be setting up a couple of Yamaha outdoor speakers on my deck that I got for a steal from best buy.

I am going to be setting these up on my Zone 2 channel of my Yamaha 863.

1. Should I be running any particualar cable gauge? I am going to be running approximately 50' +/-...

2. I will also be running this cable through the ceiling in my basement until I get outside where I will tuck the speaker cable behind my siding or maybe up in the eaves... should I be using that special "code" compliant cable???

Do you see any power drop or problems when running speaker cable or any other cable longer distances like that?

 

[Rickster71]

Will you be mounting the speakers under the soffit area of the house?
If yes, then I'd use a CL-2 rated wire.

As far as the wire AWG, much depends on how much of a load the speakers are, and the power applied.
If you have efficient 8 Ohm speakers and aren't going over fifty feet cable length, I'd use 12AWG.
I have 4-Ohm outdoor speakers, so I've used 10AWG and close to 65 feet for the longest run.

 

[mtbound10]

Thanks for the info Rickster...

I just looked at the ratings on the speakers. They are rated for 6 ohms. Nominal input is 35 watts and max is 120.

Maybe I should err on the side of caution and go with 10AWG???

Does a heavier gauge wire require more power to get the signal out and drive the speakers?

I will be mounting them below the soffit area. How I am going to get the cable from the front of the house to the back of the house is another story...

Cheers!

 

[Rickster71]

Since you are going to mount them at the soffit, I'd run the wires in the attic.

Or if you go the basement route, go behind vinyl siding and in the J-channel of a door or window.

The fatter (the lower the AWH # fatter the wire) the wire the less loss to resistance.

Good Luck