Vlad_O

I hired some person, who installed the speaker cable in my house (inside wall).Basically he installed 18 Gauge cable.
I have 5.1 Infiniti speakers and just ordered Harman/Kardon AVR 235 recev.
Here is info from manual AVR 235 regarding cable:

Regardless of the brand of cable selected, we recommend that you use cable constructed of multistrand copper with a gauge of 14 or smaller

So, unfortunately I can't change cables.
What am I going to loose? Can I loose something on high frequency? Or this is most issue for the bass?
Can I loose something If I'm going to listen not with high volume?

Thanks, Vlad

John Garcia

It depends on the length of the runs and the impedance of the speakers.

IMO, I'd say you're pushing your limits with 18 ga. I generally recommend nothing smaller than 14 ga. also, so I would agree with the manual, assuming "smaller" means a lower ga. which is a larger wire to handle greater current. read the section below the table about resistance too high.

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

If any of the runs are over 50', you could lose quite a bit of capability in those speakers. Can you get away with it? Possibly. Is it a good idea? NO, not really. I'd seriously try to get them to re-run the wire.

"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain

HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB

Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX

Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans

My DVDs My HT

Bob McElfresh

I echo the idea that you call the guy and tell him to replace the sub-standard wire.

(At least - is the wire in-wall rated? With a CL3 jacket?. This could be your main excuse).

The only issue that I know of is the high-frequency roll-off.

To be realisic - if it is only for the rear speakers of a HT system, it's not all that bad.

But if you wanted a 5.1 SACD music system, the wires should be 12 ga. The long run of thin wire WILL likely have an effect.

You can always try your own listening test:

- Disable the front speakers
- Fire up a favorite movie/CD and listen to just the rears for a while. (a good 5-10 minutes)
- Then re-wire the rear speakers with 12 ga run across the floor.
- Listen again. Do you really notice a difference?

Vlad_O

Ok, here is my situation:
Front(left, right) speakers about 15 feet each
Rear (left, right) speakers about 35-40 feet each
To replace them, I need to remove all moldings in room
and probably to install a new one. A lot of work...

Vlad