Outdoor Speaker Wiring

[bleedblue]

I'm looking to hook-up four rock speakers around my backyard and need some guidance on wiring.

I'd like to use the AVR in my media room and run wire across my attic and into the backyard. It's over 200' to the furthest speaker, so I believe I need to use 10/2 burial wire. If possible, I'd like to incorporate outdoor volume controls. Unfortunately, I can't find any that accommodate 10 gauge wire.

My questions are as follows:

1. What is the best way to wire this set-up?
2. Are there outdoor volume controls that work with 10/2 wire?

Components:
AVR - Pioneer VSX-51
Amp - Audio Resource Amp100
Speakers - (4) Niles RS6si

Speaker Distance from AVR:
#1 - 210'
#2 - 180'
#3 - 60'
#4 - 130'

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

There’s no reason why you couldn’t use 12 ga. wire for this – it’s not like it’s a critical application or anything. You can use common low-voltage lighting wire from your local hardware store. Looks like standard lamp cord, only black.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BMXTRIX]

I agree with the above poster. The recommendations for 'best wire gauge' are for critical listening environments where you will actually notice when things aren't flawless. But, in reality, 16 gauge wiring would most likely be completely indistinguishable from 10 gauge wiring in the evnronment you are using those speakers in.

Get your outdoor volume control and 14 or 12 gague wiring and you will be just fine.

 

[bleedblue]

Thanks for the feedback BMXTRIX and WaynePflughaupt. I'll give it a run with 12/2.

 

[honeymonster]

Why not employ Sonos Connect and then you can use your iDevice to control volume, and track selected when relaxing outside?