Speaker Wire

[Buckeyefan 1]

Amazon.com sells a brand called "Metra" that seems reasonably priced. Here's an example of the deals you can get. I think orders over $25 ship free.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029X218/sr=8-14/qid=1153504020/ref=sr_1_14/002-9119002-3674429?ie=UTF8

 

[hemiram]

This is pretty decent stuff. I bought a roll of it recently locally, and it appears to be decent quality, equal to the equivilant Monster wire. I've also had it in 14 and 16 guage and that's ok too.

 

[MoreThanHuman]

I don't understand why people compare wires and cables to Monster brand stuff. Monster's stuff may look nice, but if you do the proper research, their stuff is mostly fluff. Cut apart any "oh-so-thick" Monster cable, and you'll see that it's mostly plastic insulation. The thickness of the metal wire(s) itself is practically of no difference than an Acoustic Research or other quality brand cable.

For audio cables, the only range that Monster cables perform better on is above 10MHz, WELL beyond the range of human hearing. I won't even go into detail about the "demonstration booths" that Monster has set up for video cable comparisons (i.e. they set up a booth comparing competitor's composite cable to their component cables - apples vs oranges!)

The only reason why they are still successful in being sold is the high profit margins that they provide by preying on ignorant folks. That is all.

 

[samNOISE]

Monsters...

I think that the only reason that Monster Cables are used as the 'base-reference' is because its one cable that we are all familiar with, pretty much bar-none in the audio-geek community.

I dig the visual appeal of their stuff, but they are overpriced and don't 'sound' any different than any other 10/12/14...whatever... gauge cable on the market.

Andrew D.

PS: The Metra cable that Buckeyfan1 linked to atop this thread looks like a killer deal!

 

[hemiram]

Yep, the reason I mentioned Monster was it's pretty much everywhere and everyone has seen/used it, so they know what to expect.

I'm using some no name 16 guage for my entire set up. with a max run of about 20' to the back surrounds, it's more than big enough.

 

[cpotter638]

In walls?

The Metra speaker wire link at Amazon (and other similar products at Amazon): can these be placed "in-wall"? I'm building my 1st home theater in a room that is already finished. The center/front speaker wire would be run over the carpet given the short distance (the clear color of the linked speaker wire would thus be beneficial for me). For the surrounds, I will have to "fish" wire through the side walls. On of the walls is open behind it (unfinished utility closet). The other wall, I will have to fish speaker wire between it and the basement foundation. Is the linked wire appropriate, or do I need something else (CL3 rated). If the linked wire is not appropriate, any other suggestions for a clear wire? Thanks, Chad

 

[cpotter638]

The longest run will be at most 40'. 125' total should cover the project. I was planning on using 16 AWG. Thanks for the help. Chad

 

[cpotter638]

I based the above 16AWG on:

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

Will be using Ascend speakers, 8 ohm.

 

[cpotter638]

Another post

It would have been better to put this all in one post. Sorry. Given that I will be having to "fish" one of the wires, am I better off buying "4 conductor wire". From what I can tell, this has 4 wires in 1 sleeve, meaning you would only have to pull 1 wire for a speaker? Thanks, Chad

 

[cpotter638]

Last post

Last post for the evening. Don't know what I was thinking. Don't need 16/4 speaker wire. Just 16/2. And being I'm going behind the wall (between the wall and basement foundation), I assume I need CL-3?

So, where is the best place to get about 150' of 16/2 CL3 speaker wire? Could get it either locally or on the net. We have a Lowe's locally, but not sure if they sell CL3. Thanks for all the help. Sorry for so many posts.

Chad

 

[gellor]

I would assume its pretty good stuff, being as Metra is a pretty big name in car audio. (They manufacturer a lot of the wiring harnesses and other wiring components)