Installed 18 Gauge cable in wall. What am I going to loose? (1 Viewer)

[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.

 

[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