prep advise

[gweedo]

OK, so I pickup my Denon 3808ci tomorrow, I am waiting for wall plates/connections to arrive.. I am having issues deciding on 12awg or 10awg speaker wire, I read that 10awg is just for the bling factor? going to order belden wire from Westlake as soon as I make up my mind (help me please).. I will not be running wire any longer then ~35 feet at any one run through the attic.. I know I am missing something here? any installers have advise on some prep that I can do before the wire shows up?

Thanks to all who reply..

 

[Matt34]

12awg would be suitable for your intended use.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge

 

[m_vanmeter]

another excellent site for real world information on speaker wire
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm the "Wire Table" page has the info on sizing wire.

if you click "up site", http://www.roger-russell.com/ I think you will agree Mr. Russell knows what he is talking about.

unless you have extremely long cable runs, 10ga. is truly overkill. 12ga. may be also if the runs are a more "normal" length. There is also the problem of actually connecting 10 and 12 gauge wire to many of the more common receiver and/or speaker binding posts. There is rarely a problem with higher end equipment and 12ga. wire, but 10ga. can cause problems do to its larger diameter.

 

[MinusTheBear]

12 gauge wire will suit your needs just fine.

 

[itschris]

I just ran 14 guage for the rear surrounds up the walls and through the ceiling. I don't think I'm sacrificing anything or losing anything. I did all the research, mostly provided by the good folks here, and it's pretty clear that you don't need more than 12 or 14 gauge.

 

[gweedo]

ok 12awg it is.. thanks guys..

still waiting to get my hands on the new 3808, I believe I will have a full weekend of setup and wiring to do, and much longer to tune it in!!

Actually, sinse I couldn't order my wall plates and banana plugs due to my address change and they couldn't verify my debit card for some reason, maybe I should ask what type of plugs you all have.. i have read many threads on here about this and that kinds but sinse I am in need of them now I will ask one more time.. I read that the set screw type are not favored, I don't think I want soider type either, I am thinking this type with Belden wire:

www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2943&seq=1&format=2

any thoughts?

 

[jcPanny]

speaker wire

Another option is 14/4 speaker wire. If you pair it up it is equivalent to 11 AWG and more flexible. It would also allow you to bi-wire or bi-amp if you feel the need. There will be no audible difference between 12 AWG, 10 AWG, and 14/4 on your short runs.

 

[pzaur]

Just be sure the wire thickness can be handled by your connections. It would be a shame to run all the wire only to find out that the connections at the wall can't take the thicker wire.

-pat