New Home Theater progressing...more questions

[alxltd]

First, thanks to all for the input and patience. I think I am moving towards completion of the selections for the new theater and I am asking for assistance once again.

I have settled on the following audio components for the system:
Outlaw 990 Pre/Pro
Outlaw 755-5 Amps (2)
Axiom M80 Loudspeakers
Axiom QS8 surrounds (sides and rear)
Axiom VP150 Centers (2)
Axiom EP500 Subwoofers (2)

Questions:

Speaker wire-what guage? shielded or not? and any particular brand recommended? (Background is the contractor will be installing conduit for all cables. The distance from front of room-loudspeakers and subs- to equipment rack is approx 40 feet, from the side surround speakers to rack is approx 25 feet, and from the rear surrounds to the rack approx 15 feet, this is the length of the cable run through the conduit and not the room dimensions, the room is 14WX21LX8H.)

Again thanks for all the great information and help.

 

[jaxvon]

That would be quite a monster of a system! As far as speaker wire goes, I'm a fan of Belden's offerings.

Here's their 12ga Offering: http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&and=2&SUBCAT=all&keywords=5000UE&item_no=BEL-13247&category=CAB&redir=1
Their 10ga (Gene is using this throughout his new house): http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&and=2&SUBCAT=all&keywords=5T00UP&item_no=BEL-13242&category=CAB&redir=1

Be aware that the Belden cable is fairly stiff. It's not like solid core Romex, but it's not as flexible as the very finely stranded cables. If you're worried about some tight conduit bends, then you might consider picking up some Monster 14/4 off eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MONSTER-CABLE-CIPRO-144500-CI-Pro-14-Gauge-4-Conductor_W0QQitemZ5818276065QQcategoryZ294QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Bryce_H]

I ran 12ga 4 strand to all 7 speaker locations (through conduit). I used a brand called Liberty Cable (they are local here in the springs). The 4 strand allows me some flexibility in how I wire my speaker (front are currently bi-wired and once I win the lottery I can have direct and bi-pole on the surrounds for music or movie, respectively ) The rule is always run more conduit than you think you will need. Don't forget to run cable to your sub locations. The conduit will allow you some additional flexiblilty for the future. Good luck.

 

[Tom Andry]

Outlaw 755-5 Amps (2)

I must be missing something. I count 8 speakers. 2 mains, 2 centers, 4 surrounds. Why do you need 10 channels of amplification? Are you bi-amping the mains?

 

[annunaki]

14 ga. would be more than suitable for your runs of wire. 12 ga. would be slight over-kill but not be a bad thing.

 

[alxltd]

I must be missing something. I count 8 speakers. 2 mains, 2 centers, 4 surrounds. Why do you need 10 channels of amplification? Are you bi-amping the mains?

You are correct, there are 10 channels. I thought I would allow some room for other enhancements later on.

 

[jcPanny]

Belden

Belden also offers a higher strand count version of their 12 AWG speaker wire, 5000UP, that would be more flexible and great for audio. You can also order many of their cables with any number of conductors. (i.e. 2, 4, etc.)

 

[ShzAZ28]

.....I used a brand called Liberty Cable (they are local here in the springs)....

Here's a link to the home page... https://secure.libertycable.com/