Speaker Wire

[signals34]

I have to buy speaker wire...is it worth to get the expensive wire or just plain old speaker wire, and does the gauage matter 12-14-16 . The longest run I will have is 32 feet. This would be for a 5.1 system...

 

[Leprkon]

For less than 50 feet, you can get by with 14 gage, but 12 gage is a better choice. As long as you get oxygen-free, high purity copper that is reasonably flexible, you'll be fine.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=214940-578-PM62122&lpage=none

 

[highfihoney]

I have to buy speaker wire...is it worth to get the expensive wire or just plain old speaker wire, and does the gauage matter 12-14-16 . The longest run I will have is 32 feet. This would be for a 5.1 system...

any quality made wire will do just fine

wire gauge is determined by speaker ohmage & the length of run,you should look in your speaker's owners manual & see what the lowest impendence dip of your speakers is to determine the correct gauge.

if you dont have the manual or if your manual dont specify the speakers lowest impendence dip then just figure out the size you need for whatever ohmage your speakers are & go with 1 size heavier wire to be safe.

16 gauge,4 ohm's,20 ft max / 8 ohm's 40 lft max.

14 gauge,4 ohm's,35 ft max / 8 ohm's 75 lft max.

12 gauge,4 ohm's,50 ft max / 8 ohm's 100 lft max.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

For less than 50 feet, you can get by with 14 gage, but 12 gage is a better choice. As long as you get oxygen-free, high purity copper that is reasonably flexible, you'll be fine.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=214940-578-PM62122&lpage=none

Nice find! I don't know if Walmart still carries it, but they used to sell a 50ft. spool of oxygen free copper 14ga wire for $9.99 back in car audio. It's nice looking cable - you know those young car guys, always have to the fancy stuff. Royal Cable makes it.

 

[Leprkon]

Nice find! I don't know if Walmart still carries it, but they used to sell a 50ft. spool of oxygen free copper 14ga wire for $9.99 back in car audio. Royal Cable makes it.

sometimes you can get lucky and find one of their spools of 10 gage car stereo power wire, which works very well for home stereo.

it's a roll of 18 feet OFCHP, which can be about perfect for the fronts and center (depending on your set-up) for about $ 14.

I've never been able to find it on their website, though, since none of their automotive stuff gets posted there. the ten gage is blue-colored.

if that doesn't work, this time of year you can wander back into the Lawn & Garden and look at the Malibu lights. The in-ground power line they sell for Malibu is a very well-insulated 12 gage OFCHP with a price about $ 25 for 100 feet. Not super-flexible, but it's good quality and designed to resist corrosion.

The Phillips PXT and RCA Gold video cables Big W sells are pretty decent quality, as well. It's just a question of losing 1 1/2 hours of your life by daring to go inside !!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The Phillips PXT and RCA Gold video cables Big W sells are pretty decent quality, as well. It's just a question of losing 1 1/2 hours of your life by daring to go inside !!

ROFL
You know, when I go there for cat litter and razors, I go through the automotive door, check out by automotive (oil change entrance), and get buzzed out.

Nothing is worse than trying to park at WM and waiting in those lines. Not to mention trying to keep your lunch down staring at all the genetic defects who just left the Golden Corral buffet.

 

[zumbo]

My wire is exposed due to an open beam ceiling. So, I had to go with something that was pleasing to the eye. It's expensive. But, my speakers look like they are hanging from chains.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/IXOSXHS706S

 

[zumbo]

ROFL
You know, when I go there for cat litter and razors, I go through the automotive door, check out by automotive (oil change entrance), and get buzzed out.

Best parking, and fastest checkout.

 

[Lucille]

Nothing is worse than trying to park at WM and waiting in those lines. Not to mention trying to keep your lunch down staring at all the genetic defects who just left the Golden Corral buffet.

I sure hope you felt good after saying such a thing.

 

[Stringreen]

There is no easy answer to this question as you can tell by the myriad of answers you have already received. My suggestion is this: If you have a basic system, 2 conductor 12 guage stranded lamp wire is ok. If you have a mid-fi and a little better, go to Cablestogo.com and get their recommendation. If you have a very high end or state of the art system, go to fatwyre.com and speak to Phil. Happy listening - Stan

 

[Rocky]

I just purchased 100ft of Belden 5000UE from Blue Jeans Cable (www.bluejeanscable.com) after hearing many many good things about them, it only cost me 35 or 40 bucks as well.

 

[pappekak]

I have to buy speaker wire...is it worth to get the expensive wire or just plain old speaker wire, and does the gauage matter 12-14-16 . The longest run I will have is 32 feet. This would be for a 5.1 system...

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/interconnects/DIY_speaker_cables.html

 

[jdh]

Howdy

Just checked the W site.

The car speaker cables on offer are 8 gauge.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2606836

It reads:

Get maximum performance out of your amp. Use this blue wire hook-up kit for multiple installations and long high-current draw systems up to 1000 watts. Includes 40 feet of 8-gauge power wire and 6 feet of 8-gauge ground wire. Made from oxygen-free, high conductivity copper for better performance.


For $20, I put up with the color (harsh blue.)

Jdh

 

[mpompey]

The WallyWorld near me doesn't have an automotive section. I usually pay in the back where the DVDs are, and high tail it out.

I picked up a spool of 12 guage speaker cable from Lowes. And it's worked fine. I may upgrade my LCR cables when I upgrade my receiver. As I can see through the clear part of the insulation and see the copper starting to turn colors.

 

[j_garcia]

I may upgrade my LCR cables when I upgrade my receiver. As I can see through the clear part of the insulation and see the copper starting to turn colors.

That's normal apparently. The copper has a reaction to the PVC jacket. Supposedly this doesn't affect sound, but when I saw it on some old wires I had, I replaced them too.

 

[jdh]

Hi guys,

I go to the Loews site, type in my zip code, and search speaker cable.

All they list is 14 and 16 gauge by Phillips.

Good wire but I want the 12.

I must be going blind. Anyone have a link to the Loews 12 G?


JDH

 

[Taifun]

Belden cable

I just purchased my Belden 5000UE cable through Westlake Eletronics for $0.22 a foot. Great cable to work with, you can run it in walls and its inconspicuous on the floor behind speakers

http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=Search&search_sent=1&keywords=5000UE&and=0&category=CAB&SUBCAT=BEL-&user_rows=&available_only=1&order_by=&order_direction=0

 

[jdh]

Hello Folks,

I'm installing new 12 gauge speaker wire.

A salesperson at ************.com suggeted that I may want to solder some tin on the bare ends before installing.

Anyone have an opinoin re this approach?

The tin would prevent corrosion, but how much of an issue should be made of that extra layer of yet another material at the contacts?

Thanks in advance.

JDH

 

[Taifun]

Go with bare wire. If you are worried about corrosion, periodically check the ends, cut and re-strip as needed. Bare wire gives the best contact.

 

[j_garcia]

Hello Folks,

I'm installing new 12 gauge speaker wire.

A salesperson at ************.com suggeted that I may want to solder some tin on the bare ends before installing.

Anyone have an opinoin re this approach?

The tin would prevent corrosion, but how much of an issue should be made of that extra layer of yet another material at the contacts?

Thanks in advance.

JDH

Tinning is just to keep you from having stray wires, nothing more. Stray wire strands can be a real issue. A single strand grounding to the chassis or another terminal can cause problems with your system.