speaker wire gauge

[lreinstein]

Sorry if this is too easy a question:

I am having a relatively (for me) high end 2 channel HiFi system installed in a few weeks. I have purchased KEF XQ40's and a Marantz Integrated Amplifier.

The speaker wire run is very short.... at most 15 feet. The installer used Monster Cable 16 gauge cables and will be bi-wiring the speakers.

Should I insist on a larger gauge...like 14 or 12? For this length will it matter???


He used same #16 for my Home Theater where the wire run is more like 25 - 30 feet. What about that situation?

THanks...

Larry

 

[ParadigmDawg]

16 awg is on the small side but probably ok or borderline for the short runs. Bi-wiring is effectively doubling the size but is kind of silly. I would have him just use 12awg and skip the bi-wire.

 

[haraldo]

Why not ask the installer to go full-on to a 10 gauge, like the BJC Ten White found here: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

Affordable, and very high quality :-D

Regards

Harald N

 

[jgw4]

Someone school me on this wire stuff. Is larger diameter always better? How does one determine what to use? I'm gonna be doin some wirin once the RXV663 gets here! The deftechs are crying out.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Less than 30 feet: 16 gauge
30 - 50 feet: 14 gauge
50 - 100 feet: 12 gauge
100+ feet: 10 gauge (or us 14/4 cable which works out to 11 gauge)

Audioholic: 10-12 gauge, regardless of distance

Someone school me on this wire stuff. Is larger diameter always better? How does one determine what to use? I'm gonna be doin some wirin once the RXV663 gets here! The deftechs are crying out.

 

[haraldo]

Here are some pretty good explanatory articles )

http://www.audioholics.com/education/frequently-asked-questions/speaker-cable-gauge-distance

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

Regards

Harald N

 

[Pyrrho]

Sorry if this is too easy a question:

I am having a relatively (for me) high end 2 channel HiFi system installed in a few weeks. I have purchased KEF XQ40's and a Marantz Integrated Amplifier.

The speaker wire run is very short.... at most 15 feet. The installer used Monster Cable 16 gauge cables and will be bi-wiring the speakers.

Should I insist on a larger gauge...like 14 or 12? For this length will it matter???


He used same #16 for my Home Theater where the wire run is more like 25 - 30 feet. What about that situation?

THanks...

Larry

My favorite link for this subject is:

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

My advice is to use generic wire, not Monster Cable, as you are paying for a name, not better performance. I also would not bother with bi-wiring. But if you already have the Monster Cable and cannot return it, it will be fine.

 

[bandphan]

My favorite link for this subject is:

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

My advice is to use generic wire, not Monster Cable, as you are paying for a name, not better performance. I also would not bother with bi-wiring. But if you already have the Monster Cable and cannot return it, it will be fine.

yep beat me to the punch

 

[jamie2112]

12 gauge is best and I would buy cable from home depot and make your own. Dont skimp on connectors though as they should be hi end....

 

[j_garcia]

12 gauge is best and I would buy cable from home depot and make your own. Dont skimp on connectors though as they should be hi end....

12 AWG is overkill for 90% of all home installations for the lengths that are typically run. If you aren't running over 50ft or low impedance surrounds, 14 AWG will be plenty. Read the Roger Russel page, it will explain in detail.

Connectors? You don't need fancy connectors, or technically any connectors at all - they are for convenience of connection and add nothing to your sound. I use banana plugs for convenience.