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Speaker Wire Suggestions...

post #1 of 9
10/25/03 at 4:56pm
Thread Starter 
I need suggestions on which speaker wire to use for my HT. My budget is $100 for all speaker wire connections. I need to run my surround speaker wire through the wall, across the attic and down another wall. Do I need a different type wire because I'm going through the attic? Also, I need a wire recommendation for my fronts, but the wire will be ran under the base boards instead of the attic.

My front speakers are JBL S38II's and the surrounds are S36II's. I want a big enough wire quality wire to not hold back these speakers, but my budget is somewhat limiting. Thanks!
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post #2 of 9
10/25/03 at 5:21pm
Likely building code specifies CL2/3 rated wire for in-wall. Partsexpress has that I believe in 12 gauge. You can use connection plates where the wire enters and leaves the wall for a neat appearance. If you're running under the wood then the thickness of the wire might be an issue. There are flat wires or maybe a 14 or 16 gauge might be needed for clearance.
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post #3 of 9
10/26/03 at 11:55am
Thread Starter 
What gauge wire should I buy to righteously support these JBL's? Also, the amp is going to be the new Harman KArdon AVR230 (55 solid watts per channel). Thanks!
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post #4 of 9
10/26/03 at 1:06pm
http://home.earthlink.net/~rogerr7/wire.htm#wiretable
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post #5 of 9
10/26/03 at 2:50pm
John, I also was in the same dilemna a few years ago when I needed to wire up my surrounds. At the time I went with Acoustic Research Pro Series 14/4 Four Conductor In Wall Speaker Cable @ .50 cents a foot. I twisted 2 of the wires together for a combined 11ga. For the wallplates I went to Lowes and bought a few blank ones. I drilled several holes in the one that ran from the amp into the wall, and then a single hole for the wire to fit thru for the surrounds and a two for the subs. I then used Dayton bananas for the termination points to the speakers/amp.

However you can probably get a better deal on speaker wire @ AC4L. The have some nice IXOS wire at an attractive price. in-wall speaker wire
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post #6 of 9
10/26/03 at 8:24pm
John, in that table, the 4-6-8-ohm colums for 10-12 gauge wire only has dashes "------" in most colums. What does that mean?

I'm planning on using 12-gauge wire for my 6-ohm surrounds...probably a 30-foot run once you go up the wall, thru the attic and down again.
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post #7 of 9
10/27/03 at 3:50am
Thread Starter 
Pardon the uneducated question, but how many ohms are my speakers (JBL S38II, S36II & S-CenterII)? Thanks!
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post #8 of 9
10/27/03 at 2:57pm
"-----" means that over 40', anything over 14 ga will work for a 6-8 Ohm load.
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post #9 of 9
10/27/03 at 4:52pm
Like JohnM, I also used AR's 4/14 in-wall speaker cable for wiring the first floor of my house. While at 50 cents a foot, it seems pricy, you're getting 4 conductors so you can do 2 speakers with one run. I used Radio Shack wall plates and then ran AR non-in wall wire to the actual speakers. Wall plates with connectors look nice but make more connections - it depends on your preference. For us, it made more sense since it's easier to make a new patch cable when things move.
And everything works which is also a nice plus

cheers,


--tom
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