Speaker Wire Help...Newbie Question

[sleazbaggano]

This is my first post...and I am hoping that the group can help. I currently have some regular 12 gauge braided speaker wire for my front and center speaker wire.

I have ordered some banana plugs, however when speaking to the owner of my local audio/video shop, he indicated I should think about upgrading to a solid core copper wire, rather than a braided wire....better overall connectivity. Mind you this wire would be $5/foot. My question is....does anyone believe that to be the case...and if so...why couldn't you use regular shielded household 14/2 copper wire (solid core) for a much cheaper price.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks.

 

[Midcow2]

dont buy !

This is my first post...and I am hoping that the group can help. I currently have some regular 12 gauge braided speaker wire for my front and center speaker wire.

I have ordered some banana plugs, however when speaking to the owner of my local audio/video shop, he indicated I should think about upgrading to a solid core copper wire, rather than a braided wire....better overall connectivity. Mind you this wire would be $5/foot. My question is....does anyone believe that to be the case...and if so...why couldn't you use regular shielded household 14/2 copper wire (solid core) for a much cheaper price.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks.

Don't do it! your current wire is already and excellent choice. There is a high mark up on wire and audio/video stores make most of their money on cables, installation and extended warranties; don't get any of them.

If you want ot see some good inexpensvie cables (yurs are fine though) go to monoprice.com or bluejeans.com.

If you haven't already bought you banana plugs look at this thread:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52417&highlight=banana+plugs


Good Luck !

MidCow2

 

[sleazbaggano]

Thanks for the quick response....how about the second question....why not use regular 14/2 solid copper household wire....if you were looking to go solid core.

Any thoughts?

 

[rnatalli]

More snake oil being pushed. What you have is fine and Midcow is spot on mentioning Monoprice and BJC for good cables.

 

[alexwakelin]

There is no reason you couldn't use 14/2 solid copper wire, but I don't know why you would. Solid wire is difficult to work with, and stranded wire works just fine.

 

[Midcow2]

If you already have 14/2

Thanks for the quick response....how about the second question....why not use regular 14/2 solid copper household wire....if you were looking to go solid core.

Any thoughts?

You can use 14/2 and 14 gauge is a big enough gauge for most speaker wiring; if you are going over 25 feet I would up the gauge to 12 or 10.

Braided wire and solid core at the same gauuge have basically the same electrical resistance. However braided wire is more flexible and easier to work with. !4 gauge solid core is small enough so it is easy to work with. If you have 14/2 wire then go ahead an use it. If you are pre-wiring a new house it costs very little more to use a bigger gauge ( lower number of 12 or 10) with sheathing.

Good luck!

MidCow2

 

[lsiberian]

More snake oil being pushed. What you have is fine and Midcow is spot on mentioning Monoprice and BJC for good cables.

speaking of. I hear if you rub the wire down with snake oil it has better performance.

 

[lsiberian]

This is my first post...and I am hoping that the group can help. I currently have some regular 12 gauge braided speaker wire for my front and center speaker wire.

I have ordered some banana plugs, however when speaking to the owner of my local audio/video shop, he indicated I should think about upgrading to a solid core copper wire, rather than a braided wire....better overall connectivity. Mind you this wire would be $5/foot. My question is....does anyone believe that to be the case...and if so...why couldn't you use regular shielded household 14/2 copper wire (solid core) for a much cheaper price.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks.

lol that is ridiculous. You don't need that crap. 16 gauge goes for around $40 per 100 ft. You can always bi-wire if you have a really long run. I don't suggest a higher gauge unless you are doing attic runs.

$500 bucks for 100 feet?
You could buy a GIX acoustics room treatment kit for that price and I guarantee it would make a much bigger difference in the sound

http://www.antonline.com/p_Acoustic-Research--PR-262--Acoustic-Research-PR262-Speaker-Wire--16-AWG--Wire-(100-FT)-_245464.htm

This is what i use and it works just fine for in room runs.

I use the monoprice banana plugs and they work just fine too. I got them because I hate feeding wire into receiver terminals, not for performance. They made no difference in sound.

360 degree contact? Don't you just need the electron wave running into the plug. Do it really matter how they touch?

Now the nice thing with those plugs is that they secure much nicer than traditional banana plugs. But 60 bucks is steep for 10 pairs.

 

[55sss]

I use the monoprice banana plugs and they work just fine too. I got them because I hate feeding wire into receiver terminals, not for performance. They made no difference in sound.

I've used the monoprice plugs as well as the Nakamichi plugs listed on ebay. I can't list the link but purchased from US seller. I've read that Nakamichi never made banana plugs but regardless they are nice plugs.

I preferred the Nakamichi; easier and better connection, especially with smaller gauge. Also, I had some trouble with the monoprice barrel and plug loosening almost on its' own.

I used 16 gauge CL2 (attic install) from monoprice for the surrounds and 14 gauge braided speaker wire for the fronts & center. IMO, no need for 12 gauge unless perhaps you have inefficient speakers and/or large power amp.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for the quick response....how about the second question....why not use regular 14/2 solid copper household wire....if you were looking to go solid core.

Any thoughts?

You could, to answer your question. Even coat hanger wire works

But, the 120V 14/2 is too far spaced and may, mind you, may have above average inductance? However, that is not high enough to cause issues. On the other hand, solid wire is a bear to work with.

 

[Rickster71]

When ever you see someone using wire in the wrong application; it tells you they don't know enough about wire.
An analogy would be: If you saw someone using mustard to decorate a cake....
Cake is food.... mustard is food..... It's the wrong application for the mustard.

 

[yettitheman]

12 gauge is plenty.

I am going to one day take a picture of the insides of all my receivers and amps and show everyone that is a non-believer of regular cables of what non-exotic connections are inside an amplifier going to the binding posts.

It will end the debate forever. (LOL, I wish it would.) (But there will be someone that says "Well, your amp sucks! Get a 'high-end' amp!" I'll tear it apart, and find the same thing!)