Household wire for speaker wire? (1 Viewer)

[ChrisBoyde]

Would it be ok to use 14GA household cicuit wire for speaker wire. I don't see why one couldn't, it's 14GA, cheap and rated for in wall use. Is there a reason why people don't use this kind of wire for speakers (impendence perhaps?). If anyone has tried this what where the results like?

 

[Chu Gai]

well yes, but it's inflexible, heavy, and one of these days someone's going see this romex in the wall and maybe wire it up to your mains. 14 or 12 gauge multistranded copper is fairly inexpensive.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Isn't there some "skin effect" that suggests that multi-stranded is better than solid core? Or am I thinking about something else?

 

[Chu Gai]

well there's always some degree of skin effect, just that for audio it's trivial.

 

[Mat_M]

If you want to take a look at a semi-technical article about skin-effect, look here:

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/...ect_Cables.htm

I've done some calculations myself and some tests with equipment here in my lab, and I can say skin effect is a non-issue for audio.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Ahhh, so more "snake oil". Cool. I learned something new.