OFC vs CCA

[SPLaddict90]

I tried searching the forum first maybe I did it wrong but as far as ofc Vs CCA I didn't see a definitive debate.
as long as the gauge is correct for the power/distance requirements is there a big difference in material used? coming from car audio OFC I swear by because thermal capabilities and ability to handle higher amperage needing only 3 runs front to back to support 10k watts versus 6. Going with my wiring for the home since its AC current I was seeing if I could go with bigger gauge CCA and not see an audible difference? or is there an audible benefit of going ofc.

 

[slipperybidness]

Seems to me that you are pretty much on point.

The big problem with aluminum tends to be the mechanical and thermal problems. But, using a larger gauge CCA can give equal performance to a smaller OFC.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother with CCA.

 

[SPLaddict90]

Seems to me that you are pretty much on point.

The big problem with aluminum tends to be the mechanical and thermal problems. But, using a larger gauge CCA can give equal performance to a smaller OFC.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother with CCA.

gotcha at least I don't need 2/0 gauge for this hahaha

 

[BMXTRIX]

There is no debate on this because CCA is pretty crappy. It has a big issue with cables breaking and not being tolerant at connection points if the put pressure on the cable itself.

Just getting solid copper doesn't cost a ton more and is a much better overall decision. This isn't electrical work, and most people do excellent with 14 gauge wiring in their theater space. The runs are short and the power is rarely more than a couple hundred watts (if anywhere near that).

Be aware that you need in-wall rated cabling if you are putting stuff in your walls.

But, seriously, the price difference makes no sense for someone who cares about long term quality.

100 feet of 14/2 CCA cabling (not in-wall rated) off of Amazon is about $16
100 feet of solid core cabling 14/2 (not in-wall) off of Amazon is about $26

https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Gauge-100ft-Speaker-Touch/dp/B01CSZAYF0/ref=sr_1_3

https://www.amazon.com/KabelDirekt-Speaker-Wire-Audiophiles-Systems/dp/B07BBRQ5YT/ref=sr_1_10

This means that for 10 or 20 bucks more, you get wiring that is far less resistive overall and a much better long term solution. The bottom line is that if you are buying thicker wire to handle more power, why would you get wire that is inferior?

Oh, and Monoprice is a pretty good go-to for cabling as they are fairly up front with their descriptions. Mostly talking about 'PURE COPPER' for their non-CCA product and only having a couple of CCA products at all.

SPEAKER WIRE - HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

Monoprice, Inc. (DBA. MonoPrice.com) specializes in the wholesale distribution of world class cable assemblies for home theater, PC, and high technology industries. MonoPrice.com offers a wide range of products from standard PC products, network cables, and HDMI cables to custom cable assemblies...

www.monoprice.com

 

[Speedskater]

a] from a conductivity point of view, 14AWG CCA is about the same as 16AWG OFC.
b] almost all electrical wire is OFC.
c] with loudspeaker cables, there are no standards that require 14AWG wire to actually be 14AWG.
d] there may be some mechanical issues with CCA.
e] with loudspeakers cables, what matters most is total end-to-end resistance of the cable.

 

[SPLaddict90]

There is no debate on this because CCA is pretty crappy. It has a big issue with cables breaking and not being tolerant at connection points if the put pressure on the cable itself.

Just getting solid copper doesn't cost a ton more and is a much better overall decision. This isn't electrical work, and most people do excellent with 14 gauge wiring in their theater space. The runs are short and the power is rarely more than a couple hundred watts (if anywhere near that).

Be aware that you need in-wall rated cabling if you are putting stuff in your walls.

But, seriously, the price difference makes no sense for someone who cares about long term quality.

100 feet of 14/2 CCA cabling (not in-wall rated) off of Amazon is about $16
100 feet of solid core cabling 14/2 (not in-wall) off of Amazon is about $26

https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Gauge-100ft-Speaker-Touch/dp/B01CSZAYF0/ref=sr_1_3

https://www.amazon.com/KabelDirekt-Speaker-Wire-Audiophiles-Systems/dp/B07BBRQ5YT/ref=sr_1_10

This means that for 10 or 20 bucks more, you get wiring that is far less resistive overall and a much better long term solution. The bottom line is that if you are buying thicker wire to handle more power, why would you get wire that is inferior?

Oh, and Monoprice is a pretty good go-to for cabling as they are fairly up front with their descriptions. Mostly talking about 'PURE COPPER' for their non-CCA product and only having a couple of CCA products at all.

SPEAKER WIRE - HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

Monoprice, Inc. (DBA. MonoPrice.com) specializes in the wholesale distribution of world class cable assemblies for home theater, PC, and high technology industries. MonoPrice.com offers a wide range of products from standard PC products, network cables, and HDMI cables to custom cable assemblies...

www.monoprice.com

I saw this I will prolly be using skyhigh car audio ofc 12 gauge since I already have 25 feet of it but its high quality shielded ofc and I run it all in my car. is mono price food for interconnects/rca?

 

[lovinthehd]

Monoprice is my usual go to for pre-made rca/hdmi cables as well as copper speaker cable in bulk....many here shop at monoprice.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Many people purchase their interconnects from them as well. Yes. Speaker cable, HDMI cables, interconnects... They are a pretty reputable company with very reasonable pricing.

 

[lovinthehd]

BTW a good site about speaker wire here http://roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

 

[SPLaddict90]

BTW a good site about speaker wire here http://roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

I always love a good read.

 

[ryanosaur]

I went all-in with Monoprice for all my cabling needs. No complaints at all. Choice Speaker Wire, 100' spools. Affinity Banana Plugs (straight and 90º). Certified Premium HDMI. Cat6A Ethernet. High Quality Subwoofer Cable. Even bought my 8-port Gigaswitch from them.

 

[SPLaddict90]

I went all-in with Monoprice for all my cabling needs. No complaints at all. Choice Speaker Wire, 100' spools. Affinity Banana Plugs (straight and 90º). Certified Premium HDMI. Cat6A Ethernet. High Quality Subwoofer Cable. Even bought my 8-port Gigaswitch from them.

yes for everything else I will go with them. I have their budget cans and for 22 dollars I'm just like how... only reason I'm going with the sky high ofc is because I have some left over from my car and its some good stuff. but as far as my subwoofer cabling and banana plugs and any extras I will definitely be going with monoprice no reason not to.

 

[slipperybidness]

I should chime in, I have some older Monoprice wire that has started to discolor to the blue/green on the outside of the wire. When you cut the wire, it looks fine, so just looks to be surface oxidation.

It has likely been in service for 10+ years. I doubt that it degrades the audio signal, but I have been working on taking it out of service because I don't like to see it (not that I see it very often).

It's odd, b/c I have some still on the spool that I bought at the same time, but a different AWG, and it does not show the same corrosion.

Of course, I would not say anything like this would be unique to monoprice. I'm just wondering if maybe I got a batch that had some residual contamination in the jacket from manufacturing that has allowed for surface oxidation more than normal. But, typically you would associated that with acidic residue, and polymer production relies on solvents more than acids......perhaps they over-dosed that batch with initiator. Or maybe this is PVC insulation, which I would tend to try to avoid.