rewiring INSIDE of speakers ?

[oldhifiguy]

I believe everyone would agree that high power applications require appropriatly sized wire for the hi current involved. No question about it. But for our audio speaker applications where were talkin maybe 10-15 amps max(if the spkrs dont melt first) then #18-14 for 20 ft sufficient. The arguement for exotic wire is that it supposedly improves sound, and that's what all the fuss is about and it's too subjective and unmeasureable except by someones ears. For those who can hear that good I say good for you and use the $100/ft wire and enjoy. It's your ears that need satisfying. The mfrs are smiling all the way tio the bank.

 

[CraigV]

I would go to the factory where they make Kryptonite U-shape bike locks. Get some of the cast bars before they’re cut & bent to shape, and run those as your speaker wire.

But hey, that’s just me

 

[oldhifiguy]

hey craig, you sound just like me . used that fraze more than I can remember on another good audio forum. sometimes ya-gotta-say-it like it is, but not to disparage.

 

[lsiberian]

2100 watts into 3.6 ohms is 24 amperes of current. 18 ga wire is not suitable.

I admit, this is not a normal situation, but it highlights the point I am trying to make.

This part of the equation always seems to get ignored when these topics come up. I agree large wire is not always needed. However, the power applied through the wire does affect what happens. Too small of wire for the power application can have negative affects.

I think the fact it's not a normal situation distracts from the point, but I doubt there is any home application where that sort of power is used. You would need special power hook up to pull 24 amps.

Does resistance increase with voltage push across a wire? I'm certain that in most cases it would be fairly static.

V^2/R = P

So if you push 12 volts or 24 volts would your resistance change?

As long as the wire doesn't add significant resistance you should be fine.

What would be the difference between a 2000w load and a 10w load on an 18 gauge wire. I theorize that there is no difference.

 

[annunaki]

I think the fact it's not a normal situation distracts from the point, but I doubt there is any home application where that sort of power is used. You would need special power hook up to pull 24 amps.

Does resistance increase with voltage push across a wire? I'm certain that in most cases it would be fairly static.

V^2/R = P

So if you push 12 volts or 24 volts would your resistance change?

As long as the wire doesn't add significant resistance you should be fine.

What would be the difference between a 2000w load and a 10w load on an 18 gauge wire. I theorize that there is no difference.

10 watts into a nominal 4 ohm load is 1.58 amperes of current.

2000 watts into a nominal 4 ohm load is 22.36 amperes of current.

The wire cannot sufficiently handle the amperage. Power delivery begins to be compromised and the resistance increases (of the wire) due to a rise in heat across the wire (as it cannot sufficiently handle the amperage demands), therefore reducing said performance.

Over very short durations, there would not be much difference. For the tiny difference in cost, all things considered, I am going the safe route with 10 ga.

No one is arguing whether it can or cannot be done. It is whether one wants to. With the tiny difference in cost, get the largest gauge within reason for the application and there are no worries.

 

[annunaki]

Does resistance increase with voltage push across a wire?

As the voltage changes the amperage changes, not the resistance. If the resistance changes voltage and amperage will change. If resistance is dynamic, the other two will be as well.

 

[just-some-guy]

well this thread took off, lol. have at it.

the speakers in question, Altec 100's, are being replaced. so its not an issue. you said don't bother, so i forgot about this thread.

thank you, drive through.

 

[Pyrrho]

Ok, so I followed this chart and stepped up to 16ga wire when I set up my speakers over the 18ga I probably could have used. But here is my question, I usually see that Audioholics reviews are using something near 10ga wire every time! Is this just so they never exceed their wire capacity or just to satisfy people that are obsessed with huge wires.

It depends upon who you are talking about. However, you have given two motivations for it. Anyone who swaps out speakers a lot should have a wire gauge large enough for the lowest impedance speaker that will ever be hooked up to it. There is no harm in having a larger than necessary gauge, so using something like 10 or 12 gauge wire can be a reasonable choice in such instances.

And, of course, you are right that some people go with overkill, where they get something that they don't need, which is a waste of money. But, 12 gauge wire can be reasonably priced, so it isn't necessarily the case that much money has been wasted. Besides, if one chooses to upgrade one's speakers with something with a very low impedance, it would be nice to not have to also buy new speaker wire.

In the case of in wall installations, I would not go with anything smaller than 12 gauge for speaker wire, because changing it later if one selects a low impedance speaker would be too much trouble.

I'm sure there is a huge difference between the math for AC and DC but just the fact that I have some common knowledge and worked as an electrician for a year and the biggest wire I usually ran was 12ga, unless it was a stove, ac unit, dryer, etc... why does a speaker 10 feet away from a receiver need such a big wire?

It doesn't. You see, you are using actual knowledge, whereas most people select based upon mumbo jumbo BS. That is why there are exotic cables. Just follow the advice in the chart at:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

It will be big enough if one does that.

And also, what are you talking about that is DC? Power, in most homes, is AC. And an audio signal going to a speaker is AC. If we were talking about DC, you are quite right that it would make a difference in how big the wire needs to be, as with AC, there is a cooling off when cycling between positive and negative, whereas with DC, the heat is continuous.

 

[tbergman]

And also, what are you talking about that is DC? Power, in most homes, is AC. And an audio signal going to a speaker is AC. If we were talking about DC, you are quite right that it would make a difference in how big the wire needs to be, as with AC, there is a cooling off when cycling between positive and negative, whereas with DC, the heat is continuous.

My bad, I assumed the signal was DC.

 

[Pyrrho]

My bad, I assumed the signal was DC.

Well, it is both bad and good. It is bad in that you were mistaken, but it does show that you have some real knowledge about the relevant features. AC or DC makes a huge difference, just as you said. Most people haven't a clue about any of it, which is why so many people get suckered into exotic wires. What matters are real properties of the wire and the effect on the movement of the electrons in the wire; it isn't magic.