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Speaker wire

#1
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11/27/08 at 1:17am
  • Joined: November 2008
  • Post Count: 14
I just bought the onkyo 5100 HTIB. Have no idea what wires I should buy. My rear speakers will probably have 50 ft between them and the receiver so I think 14 or 16 gauge would be fine. Can anyone recommend some brands or anything else I should consider? Dont have a lot of money for brand name wiring.

I was also trying to delete one of my old posts but didnt see that option. Is this possible?

Thanks
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#2
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11/27/08 at 1:23am
  • Joined: July 1997
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Re: Speaker wire

Hello Jeff,

Welcome to the forum!

No, you can't delete a previous post. But you can ask us to look into it.
Which post were you referring to? (Please send a PM to me if you want to discuss this.)
HTF Rules (uhm ... and has Rules)
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#3
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11/27/08 at 1:53am
  • Joined: November 2008
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Re: Speaker wire

My "cant decide post". I decided and bought the onkyo. I dont care if its deleted or not. That post is finished as far as I was concerned. It wasn't going to provide helpful info to anyone else so I was going to delete but it makes no difference to me. I was just curious if I could. Thanks
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#4
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11/27/08 at 5:58am
  • Joined: May 2003
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Re: Speaker wire

I use 14 gauge wire I got at Lowe's Home Improvement, and it works just fine. A 100 ft. roll was about $25.
Samsung HL61A750 (LED DLP)            Onkyo TX-SR805
Oppo BDP-83 Blu ray                                  Polk Audio LSi9
Polk Audio LSiC                                  Sony SS-MB100H
JBL PSW1200 (Sub)                        ...
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#5
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11/27/08 at 8:29am
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
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Re: Speaker wire

And as always, Monoprice.com is a good place for in-expensive wires, cables, etc.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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#6
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11/27/08 at 12:44pm
  • Joined: November 2008
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Re: Speaker wire

I'm assuming I would use 2 conductor. When would u use 4. Should I also get shielded? Are there any brands to stay away from?
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#7
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11/28/08 at 6:34am
  • Joined: August 1999
  • Location: Katy, TX
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Re: Speaker wire


Four conductor speaker wire is typically used for a long run from the receiver to the rear speakers. As such, installation-grade cable is intended for attic and in-wall use and is stiffer and aesthetically unattractive. IOW, it's not the kind of stuff you want laying across the floor in your living room.

There is no good reason to use shielded speaker cable. It's a high-level signal (as opposed to the low-level signals between your components and receiver).

Brands to avoid: Anything ridiculously expensive.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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