Speaker wires, does it matter?

[spwath]

DO i have to wory about what type/size speaker wire i use?

 

I just used some random stuff i found in my basement, should i worry about the gauge?

 

Receiver- Sony STR-DH520

Satalights- Polk r15

sub- polk PSW108

[79wjd]

Unless it's a really (really) small gauge and/or really powerful speakers it shouldn't matter. 

[iamdarkyoshi]

Unless it's a really (really) small gauge and/or really powerful speakers it shouldn't matter. 

This.

[spwath]

Unless it's a really (really) small gauge and/or really powerful speakers it shouldn't matter. 

ok. My stuff looks decent sized.

[Interfectorem]

Just make sure it's a decent sized gauge and you should be fine.

[Ganz]

ok. My stuff looks decent sized.

With speaker wire in general the thicker the gauge the less resistance the wire has meaning you can run a longer cable without any interference.  As long as you don't plan on running a road of cables you should be fine.

[iamdarkyoshi]

I have 18 gauge on my 150w system and it hasnt had any issues.

[BrinkGG]

Legit speaker cable is only really needed for live audio systems pushing 350w or more per channel.

As long as its more then 18 Gauge wire for a home audio system like that, you're fine. 

[johnt]

The smart thing to do is to buy a reel from Amazon or a local retailer. Oxygen free copper is generally the best, but you definitely want to stay away from aluminum stranded cables. And make sure you loop for stranded speaker wire, the solid copper is used for electrical.

I think 14 to 16 gauge (awg) for your speakers should be plenty. About 50 to 75 feet should be more than enough to route cable to your rear speakers and the three up front.

I wouldn't really cut wire less than six feet, but that's just my general rule of thumb. If you cut wire exactly where you need it, give yourself another three feet just for wiggle in case you need to move it.

[spwath]

The smart thing to do is to buy a reel from Amazon or a local retailer. Oxygen free copper is generally the best, but you definitely want to stay away from aluminum stranded cables. And make sure you loop for stranded speaker wire, the solid copper is used for electrical.

I think 14 to 16 gauge (awg) for your speakers should be plenty. About 50 to 75 feet should be more than enough to route cable to your rear speakers and the three up front.

I wouldn't really cut wire less than six feet, but that's just my general rule of thumb. If you cut wire exactly where you need it, give yourself another three feet just for wiggle in case you need to move it.

yeah i kinda didnt do that on my center speaker, and the wire is just barely long enough.

 

Ill check what i used, i have the roll, ill se what it is.

[BrinkGG]

The smart thing to do is to buy a reel from Amazon or a local retailer. Oxygen free copper is generally the best, but you definitely want to stay away from aluminum stranded cables. And make sure you loop for stranded speaker wire, the solid copper is used for electrical.

I think 14 to 16 gauge (awg) for your speakers should be plenty. About 50 to 75 feet should be more than enough to route cable to your rear speakers and the three up front.

I wouldn't really cut wire less than six feet, but that's just my general rule of thumb. If you cut wire exactly where you need it, give yourself another three feet just for wiggle in case you need to move it.

WATCH OUT WHEN BUYING OFC FROM AMAZON!

I got scammed a while ago with really crappy OFC 16 awg cable. Make sure you're buying from a well rated brand. 

[iamdarkyoshi]

I generally use lamp cord as it is available in bulk at most hardware stores. You just have to use the side with the ridges along the cable to identify polarity.

[Snazzy]

http://www.german-highend.com/index.php?id=silberkabel&L=1

you have to have high-end germany made silver cables, otherwise your speakers will not get into their full potential.....

 

JK it doesnt matter that much, just get some speaker wire from your current hardware store while keeping in mind that the subwoofer might need thicker wires.

 

you shouldnt need very thick wires unless you plan on running the cable through a football field.

[spwath]

WATCH OUT WHEN BUYING OFC FROM AMAZON!

I got scammed a while ago with really crappy OFC 16 awg cable. Make sure you're buying from a well rated brand. 

amazon basics shoudl work

[Bleeding Moot]

DO i have to wory about what type/size speaker wire i use?

 

I just used some random stuff i found in my basement, should i worry about the gauge?

 

Receiver- Sony STR-DH520

Satalights- Polk r15

sub- polk PSW108

i use 12 guage wiring for my 450w sony xplode amp and 800w sub and thats fine. so i wouldnt imagine you would need anything more than that.

 

[johnt]

amazon basics shoudl work

 

Mmmmm?? Amazon Basics is copper clad aluminum. Basics is fantastic for digital signal cables like HDMI or optical, but I would skip them entirely for analog stuff.

 

 

It's about double the price for pure (no aluminum), oxygen free copper.

 

This is what I purchased: http://www.amazon.com/14AWG-2-Conductor-Speaker-In-Wall-Installation/dp/B009EA80E0/ I would recommend the 16 AWG in 50 or 100 feet for your speakers. You are going to pay a bit more because they are "in wall" cables with a relatively nice sleeve, but I think they are more professional looking than the clear plastic tubes.

[iamdarkyoshi]

Mmmmm?? Amazon Basics is copper clad aluminum. Basics is fantastic for digital signal cables like HDMI or optical, but I would skip them entirely for analog stuff.

 

google_cca.jpg

 

It's about double the price for pure (no aluminum), oxygen free copper.

 

This is what I purchased: http://www.amazon.com/14AWG-2-Conductor-Speaker-In-Wall-Installation/dp/B009EA80E0/ I would recommend the 16 AWG in 50 or 100 feet for your speakers. You are going to pay a bit more because they are "in wall" cables with a relatively nice sleeve, but I think they are more professional looking than the clear plastic tubes.

honestly though most wire should be fine. if it was passing DC or an analog VIDEO signal though, a better cable would be a good choice.

[johnt]

WATCH OUT WHEN BUYING OFC FROM AMAZON!

I got scammed a while ago with really crappy OFC 16 awg cable. Make sure you're buying from a well rated brand. 

 

16 AWG is a tough market. It appeals to a broad range of people because it's not ridiculously thin and it's affordable. It's a big market to weed through. 14 AWG is easier because there's less options available. And OFC is a cover up because it's only half the story. You really want to find pure copper stranded wires for speakers and not CCA. Aluminum free and oxygen free copper cables is a very small market on Amazon.

[johnt]

honestly though most wire should be fine. if it was passing DC or an analog VIDEO signal though, a better cable would be a good choice.

 

No argument there. Analog video signals would benefit from higher quality wires. However, the CCA from Amazon Basics is borderline cheap for my taste. If you have absolutely no other options and you're totally strapped for cash, then yes, go for it. But if you can afford to spend a little more money on your own equipment, I would totally go for it.

[spwath]

No argument there. Analog video signals would benefit from higher quality wires. However, the CCA from Amazon Basics is borderline cheap for my taste. If you have absolutely no other options and you're totally strapped for cash, then yes, go for it. But if you can afford to spend a little more money on your own equipment, I would totally go for it.

so would something like this be better?

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-50-Feet-High-Purity-Oxygen-Free-Speaker/dp/B001UNLTVK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436367912&sr=8-2&keywords=copper+speaker+wire&pebp=1436367923998&perid=1MBV7AAPGBJM7YG2TCSM

[iamdarkyoshi]

No argument there. Analog video signals would benefit from higher quality wires. However, the CCA from Amazon Basics is borderline cheap for my taste. If you have absolutely no other options and you're totally strapped for cash, then yes, go for it. But if you can afford to spend a little more money on your own equipment, I would totally go for it.

I generally use what I can find. vacuum cleaner cord, lamp cord, christmas light wire, ect.

[spwath]

I generally use what I can find. vacuum cleaner cord, lamp cord, christmas light wire, ect.

If you turn up the volume, do the lights glow ?

[iamdarkyoshi]

If you turn up the volume, do the lights glow ?

actually if you connect an incandescent light bulb (depending on wattage of the sound system, probably start with a 12v tailight lamp) to the same place as the speaker you can make the lights flash with the music. As for the christmas lights, I just pulled the single wires that lead to the end plug out of them, not the series string of lights.

[johnt]

so would something like this be better?

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-50-Feet-High-Purity-Oxygen-Free-Speaker/dp/B001UNLTVK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436367912&sr=8-2&keywords=copper+speaker+wire&pebp=1436367923998&perid=1MBV7AAPGBJM7YG2TCSM

 

Yes 100%.

 

I think the link I sent you has 14 gauge with the white sleeve for $21.92, your link is 16 gauge without a sleeve for $20.40. Just for reference, 14 gauge is thicker cable, which is generally regarded as "better." Both 50 feet in length. The 16 gauge of the wire I sent in 100 feet, sleeved for $23.22. 

 

I would still consider the cable I sent you instead. It's a better price for what you get. Whether 14 gauge in 50 feet or 16 gauge in 100 feet. The product has more than 4 times the reviewers and maintains 5 stars. Because C&E 16 gauge, 100 feet is only a couple bucks more, that's the one I would go with.

 

Are you going to need that much? No... maybe... maybe not? But you will have some in case you do. And you can see the price of admission is pretty steep compared to the actual product. I would just pay a couple bucks more for double the product in case I need more of it.

[spwath]

Yes 100%.

 

I think the link I sent you has 14 gauge with the white sleeve for $21.92, your link is 16 gauge without a sleeve for $20.40. Just for reference, 14 gauge is thicker cable, which is generally regarded as "better." Both 50 feet in length. The 16 gauge of the wire I sent in 100 feet, sleeved for $23.22. 

 

I would still consider the cable I sent you instead. It's a better price for what you get. Whether 14 gauge in 50 feet or 16 gauge in 100 feet. The product has more than 4 times the reviewers and maintains 5 stars. Because C&E 16 gauge, 100 feet is only a couple bucks more, that's the one I would go with.

 

Are you going to need that much? No... maybe... maybe not? But you will have some in case you do. And you can see the price of admission is pretty steep compared to the actual product. I would just pay a couple bucks more for double the product in case I need more of it.

OK ill get the one you linked.

I might just see if christmas lights light up first...