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16 Gauge wire. ?
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Splatter Pak
High-End Scrounger
If for speaker wire, 16-gauge is fine for short runs and low power.
For most systems 16 gauge should be more than adequate. Only with extremes of distance ( something like 50 + Feet ) or very high current / power needs would you have to use a larger wire size.
I use 12 gauge, but I'm one of those who believe in Over Engineering.
Mark Gosdin
Thank you I’m only running 120 watts but I don’t really run full load like that. And only 6 feet in length
rode2rouen
Dyslexics Untie!
the cheaper brands of wire like RCA are copper clad aluminum which is fine for shorter runs but if you have a bit longer runs or are using tube gear i would make sure its pure copper as aluminum has a higher resistance than copper.
Splatter Pak
High-End Scrounger
Yeah, avoid CCA (copper-coated aluminum) whatever else you do. I tried some in my main system, and it sounded nasty. I wasn't careful, and bought CCA twice...to my regret. I run 12-gauge pure copper now, for short runs and a 50-watt amp. If some is good, more is better...and too much is just right.
It’s a Yamaha integrated amp 120 WPC to B&W DM602 Speakers
Thanks I was not sure if would have been ok to use.
I was thinking of that but was not sure if that would be ok to do.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Depends on the impedance of your speakers and the damping factor of your amp. The idea from some quarters is to keep the ratio at least 25 to 1. So if your speakers are 4 ohm then the total resistance of the wire including the source impedance of the amp should total less than .16 ohms. 1000 ft of single strand of 16 gauge wire resistance is 4 ohms. But as we use two conductors that would be 4 ohms for 500 ft, There fore .16 ohms would equal 20 ft. as the maximum recommended distance. The current handling capability is a totally different story. remember 16 awg lamp cord is carry constant current where sound current varies tremendously. We know 16 awg can handle. 150 watt bulb with no issues. Thats a little over 1.2 amp. with 120 volts. So I see no problem using a 80 watt amplifier. Even though the current will be higher, the voltage will be much lower.
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the skipper
Professional Curmudgeon
It's fine for runs of up to about 50 feet. Longer than that, you may want to go a bit larger.
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable
WaynerN
Addicted Member
No speaker has a steady impedance. The quoted number on a spec is its "averaged" impedance.
No one (of course there are exceptions) plays their equipment at full volume.
Of course there are people that have battery jumper cable style of speaker wires. These gigantic cables will raise hell with the connectors on the associated equipment and the value of the gain in clarity or any other sonic benefit is certainly an opinion.
Note: I use 12awg KnuKonceptz wire with all of my systems, not because of the gauge, but because of the BFA banana connector I use, as the 12awg fits best in its fitting.
No one (of course there are exceptions) plays their equipment at full volume.
Of course there are people that have battery jumper cable style of speaker wires. These gigantic cables will raise hell with the connectors on the associated equipment and the value of the gain in clarity or any other sonic benefit is certainly an opinion.
Note: I use 12awg KnuKonceptz wire with all of my systems, not because of the gauge, but because of the BFA banana connector I use, as the 12awg fits best in its fitting.
Thank you so much for that information I didn’t even consider the fact that any of those factors will take place thank you so much for that information I didn’t even consider the fact that any of those factors will take place. The app has a two selector in the ohm impedance. At the moment is there at eight ohms as is the speakers as is 8 Oms as well
Hey thank you for the link that is extremely helpful thank you
I found a half full spool of 14 ga speaker wire at a yard sale Saturday for a buck.
I'll use it for a set up, why not?
I'll use it for a set up, why not?
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