what gauge speaker wire

[cheapskete OCer]

im just wondering what a decent gauge speaker wire is im only pushing 120w to 5 speakers...thanks

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Depends on the distance, short distance less than 15 or 20 ft you could get away with a good 14 gauge. More than that and you would be better off with 12. Use 10 for longest distances. Any bigger than 10 would be over kill for most situations. I have ran 14 gauge up to 30 feet and I could not hear anything wrong. So pick some good wire that does not cost a lot and don't worry about it much. Go here for if you want some more insight.

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/cables.htm

 

[cheapskete OCer]

cool thanks

 

[bpape]

The impedance of the speakers also figures into the equation. 4 ohm speakers will require larger gage sooner than 8 ohm speakers.

General rule of thumb, if you're not going more than 35', 12 ga is plenty for pretty much anything if you're only pushing 120W.

Bryan

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The impedance of the speakers also figures into the equation. 4 ohm speakers will require larger gage sooner than 8 ohm speakers.

General rule of thumb, if you're not going more than 35', 12 ga is plenty for pretty much anything if you're only pushing 120W.

Bryan

Good tip. If you're looking locally for wire, I've found the Home Depot 12ga wire to tarnish (turns a greenish color) over several years. Although it probably won't affect the sound, it's not pretty.

Walmart, back in automotive, sells a 50' spool of 14ga oxygen free wire for roughly $12. I've used it in my truck, and worked so well, decided to use it in a few home installs. Nice stuff for the price.

 

[ggunnell]

I recently upgraded from 12 ga solid to 10 ga stranded, and noticed a very very slight improvement in clarity -- but as Bryan said, I'm running 4 ohm mains. I've found that buying job site extension cords and cutting the ends off is cheaper per foot than buying the wire per foot off the spool...

 

[sholling]

for a reasonable length run 12-14ga, but at these prices you can't go wrong with 12ga.
http://monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&style=

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I recently upgraded from 12 ga solid to 10 ga stranded, and noticed a very very slight improvement in clarity -- but as Bryan said, I'm running 4 ohm mains. I've found that buying job site extension cords and cutting the ends off is cheaper per foot than buying the wire per foot off the spool...

Unless you did a blind a/b comparison, there is really no way to validate this. This myth has been debunked time and time again on this web site.

 

[highfihoney]

There are two factors that should be used when choosing the right gauge speaker wire,the lowest ohmage that your speakers will drop to & the length of run of the wire,wattage has nothing to do with wire selection.

Below is a link to a page that explains a simple wire table thats easy to follow.

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

 

[majorloser]

I recently upgraded from 12 ga solid to 10 ga stranded, and noticed a very very slight improvement in clarity -- but as Bryan said, I'm running 4 ohm mains. I've found that buying job site extension cords and cutting the ends off is cheaper per foot than buying the wire per foot off the spool...

??? Were you using romex ???

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

There are two factors that should be used when choosing the right gauge speaker wire,the lowest ohmage that your speakers will drop to & the length of run of the wire,wattage has nothing to do with wire selection.

Below is a link to a page that explains a simple wire table thats easy to follow.

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

Great article. I like this passage:

Russell:
I credit the success of the speaker wire industry to their expert sales and marketing ability. However, it is my experience that ordinary copper wire, as long as it's heavy enough, is just as good as name brands.

Looking at this from a different perspective, there will always be those who will want expensive wire, not because there is an audible difference, but because they may value pride of ownership and prestige in a similar way to that of owning a Tiffany lamp or a Rolex watch.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Unless you did a blind a/b comparison, there is really no way to validate this. .

Better you than me, for a change

 

[highfihoney]

Great article. I like this passage:

MEE TOO i get a big ole smile every time i read it,the best part about what he wrote is that its 100% non fiction.

 

[mulester7]

Better you than me, for a change

.....hahaha....that's funny.....

.....Guys, we spend thousands on speakers, receivers, and amps....why get all frugalated when it comes to speaker wire?....speaker wire is comparatively CHEAP....if you feel like 14 ga would cover the situation actually ok, use 12....if you feel like 12 ga would cover the situation actually ok, use 10....one size larger doesn't cost us very much more, does it?....be done with wondering/second guessing right up front....

 

[davo]

For the sake of a relative tiny cost extra compared with the whole system, you might as well cover your bases and get 10 gauge, as long as your not hung up on name brand.

 

[Nick250]

Ten gauge is a PITA to deal because of it's thickness. I use fourteen gauge and don't loose any sleep over it.

Nick

 

[jeffsg4mac]

.....Guys, we spend thousands on speakers, receivers, and amps....

Who me? Never

 

[mulester7]

Who me? Never

.....well, I suspect that nose just grew a foot, Pinnochio.....