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What type (size) of wire do u use with your main speakers? (1 Viewer)

ClaudeL

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Oct 31, 2001
Messages
143
Just wondering... I have a pair of Monitor 9 from Paradigm and I would like to upgrade to the Reference series. But for now, I dont have rear speakers. Normally, rear bookshelf speakers doesnt have more than 100-120W rms capable output. Is a 14 gauge wire engought for that case? Can a 12 or 14 gauge wire make a difference in the power handling or the sound quality? :
of 100W rms speakers??
of 150W rms speakers??
of >150W rms speakers??
I dont know too much about electronics its why im ask u this stupid question! lol! :D
 

Steve_Ma

Second Unit
Joined
May 7, 2001
Messages
420
I use custom made, 5ga, platinium coated, oxygen free, terror cable that cost me $350.00 per foot. This gets rather expensive as I also employ the "S-Standard" of laying the cable on the ground to increase the mid-bass response. It wouldn't be that bad, but when you factor in the cost of shipping the cable to Haiti to have it prayed over by a Santarian Priestess ... Well ...It starts to get alittle steep.

Kidding. I use Home Depot 12ga all the way around.

--Steve
 

Bob McElfresh

Senior HTF Member
Joined
May 22, 1999
Messages
5,182
Short Answer: 12 ga all around

Long Answer: a long run of speaker wire will roll off the high frequencies a bit. A thicker wire reduces, but does not eliminate the effect.

Because of this, some speaker sites (not wire sites) recommend the following gauge based on run-length:

1-10 ft: 16 ga

11-20 ft: 14 ga

20+ ft: 12 ga

So you see, they recommend THICKER wire for the rears.

Real World: you can get away with the thinner wire for the rears of a DVD based movie system. The rear sounds are very sparse compared to the fronts.

But if you are heading towards 5-channel music or some such, I would not compromise.
 

Matt Meyer

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 29, 2002
Messages
117
Do you have the number of that Santarian Priestess? I have some unruly room harmonics that I want exersised.:D
Matt
 

Juan_R

Supporting Actor
Joined
Sep 4, 2001
Messages
683
Steve,

that is some funny sh*** man, I was laughing so hard I woke up my workmate.

I also use Home Depot 12ga all the way around.
 

Nate Nelson

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 12, 2002
Messages
93
I use some 18ga my dad had lyin' around the house. The longest stretch is probably 30ft? If I had something a little higher end (currently Klipsch quintets w/SC-1 center) I would like to get wire that could handle the speakers but as of now, I think it sounds fine and can't imagine better wire really helping?
 

Marcus Lewis

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Oct 27, 2001
Messages
177
That was classic Steve!! At first you had me going then I laughed so hard all my co-workers branded me the office weirdo, lol
:D
I use custom made, 5ga, platinium coated, oxygen free, terror cable that cost me $350.00 per foot. This gets rather expensive as I also employ the "S-Standard" of laying the cable on the ground to increase the mid-bass response. It wouldn't be that bad, but when you factor in the cost of shipping the cable to Haiti to have it prayed over by a Santarian Priestess ... Well ...It starts to get alittle steep.
Kidding. I use Home Depot 12ga all the way around.
--Steve
 

Alan Wild

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Feb 22, 2001
Messages
108
I have Paradigm Studio 100's and I've bi-wired them using IXOS 6006 11AWG cable for the woofers and IXOS 6003 13AWG (in white/grey) for the tweeters.
6006.jpg

6003.jpg

I did it because I thought the cable was reasonable priced (at Accessories4less) and looks really cool.
I'm not going to get into the debate about whether or not it sounds better. I certainly think it sounds every bit is good as Home Depot wire (if not better) and looks a heck of a lot better, IMHO. :)
-Alan
 

ClaudeL

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Oct 31, 2001
Messages
143
LOL! Steve! :laugh:
Thank you all! So as I can see, 12 or 14 ga wires doesnt make too much difference in sound... right?
 

Steve_Ma

Second Unit
Joined
May 7, 2001
Messages
420
:emoji_thumbsup: Glad you all liked it. Once in awhile I get a flash of synaptic brilliance....Unfortunately it never lasts and I invariably revert back to being a slightly overbearing moron again. :D
BTW, I have nothing against higher end cable. I simply can't afford it and remain unconvinced that it will improve my current setup as is. I have too many other areas to tweak first.:confused:
 

Cam S

Screenwriter
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Messages
1,524
haha, another inside joke about BobA, there seems to be an endless supply of those :D
 

Steve_Ma

Second Unit
Joined
May 7, 2001
Messages
420
Naw, I was goofing on myself.

I wouldn't take that sort of (unprovoked) swing at anyone. Even BobA.

--Steve
 

John_VI

Second Unit
Joined
Feb 18, 2002
Messages
268
Great stuff, Steve.

I use 12ga from Parts Express. It's half the price of the Home Depot cable and is basically the same stuff. I have runs of about 35-40 feet for my rears (under floors, inside walls, etc), so I needed the bigger gauge cable there, too. And at less than $0.40 per foot shipped, it's a real bargin.
 

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