Ideal Speaker Wire Gauge
- Thread starter LRVGTR
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Fourteen or twelve.
RTally
Speaker addict
I would use 16 ga. pure copper (not copper clad aluminum) for such short lengths. If you want to spend the money, go bigger (smaller number for wire gage).
See http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm for more info on sizing speaker wiring.
See http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm for more info on sizing speaker wiring.
Roadrash
Super Member
Go big or stay home! Seriously though I use 10ga OFC copper in all my systems, but you will get a thousand different opinions on this subject and someone will always drag out good old Roger Russell.(already happened
) As far as cost is concerned if you're just using OFC the difference between 10 and 14ga is very little, so just go with what ever you want really. Just make sure if you want to go with bare wire connections that it will work with your amps and speakers, because a lot of vintage gear was built before anything larger than 14ga was used.
) As far as cost is concerned if you're just using OFC the difference between 10 and 14ga is very little, so just go with what ever you want really. Just make sure if you want to go with bare wire connections that it will work with your amps and speakers, because a lot of vintage gear was built before anything larger than 14ga was used.
Natertots
Well-Known Member
12 gauge is more than enough.
plugto
Well-Known Member
I'm like Roadrash on this one. I always use 10 gauge, and OFC, and as many individual strands that you can find. My stuff comes from Parts Express and is fairly cheap. 413 individual strands per side. Remember electrons flow along the outside of the wire. Not through the wire like water through a hollow pipe. So the more strands the more flow and less resistance. The 8 ohms you state is a nominal rating and fluctuates up and down above 8 and below 8 with frequency variations. But all posters are correct that such a short run is able to handle even 16 gauge. So go with your pocketbook, and if your equipment can reveal tiny improvements, and B&W is one of the finest speaker brands out there, only spend extra if your hearing is good and the equipment is good. But here is some reading for you.
https://www.newenglandwire.com/wire-and-cable-101/
Just bought another roll to hook up the height speakers on my Atmos system. This is cheap and good sounding.
A huge rabbit hole, but always better to know more than less. Merry New Year
https://www.newenglandwire.com/wire-and-cable-101/
Just bought another roll to hook up the height speakers on my Atmos system. This is cheap and good sounding.
A huge rabbit hole, but always better to know more than less. Merry New Year
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used 12awg for most of my setups for decades, now I just use 16awg in-wall OFC cable
I have boxes of the stuff around, it works great, no need to run anything bigger unless running really long lengths, and the great thing is it comes with 4 conductors if you want to bi-amp or bi-wire, also great for running just one cable for two remote speakers like my pair on the rear lanai.
I have boxes of the stuff around, it works great, no need to run anything bigger unless running really long lengths, and the great thing is it comes with 4 conductors if you want to bi-amp or bi-wire, also great for running just one cable for two remote speakers like my pair on the rear lanai.
whoaru99
Epic Member
A lower impedance speaker will dictate larger wire to keep the wire resistance % to speaker impedance minimized.
For example, if you have "8 ohm" speakers and wish to keep wire resistance 1% or less of nominal impedance you'd need speaker wire with 0.08 ohms or less. With "4 ohm" speakers in the same relationship you'd need speaker wire with 0.04 ohms or less.
Using example of 10ft speaker cable (20ft wire) to stay within the 1% you'd need at a minimum 13ga wire for the 4 ohm case and 16ga wire for the 8 ohm case.
I'm not suggesting 1% is the right number, pick what you want, but you can see that speaker load does play in.
RVT1K
Super Member
I think the quality of the connections at the ends of the cables will have a bigger impact on the total resistance than the cable used.
whoaru99
Epic Member
It's just to point out it does factor in. How much difference any given thing makes is an argument waiting to happen.
RVT1K
Super Member
It's just to point out it does factor in. How much difference any given thing makes is an argument waiting to happen.
I fully understand. The "great cable debate" is right up there with some of the best like Ford v. Chevy, Nikon v. Cannon, tube v. solid state....
But I also feel that many do not consider the connections made at the ends of the cables when talking about tenths or hundredths of an ohm.
BamaBilly
Motorcycles and Music
Maybe he’s not planning on using cable with ends since he didn’t mention how the cable was terminated
RVT1K
Super Member
BamaBilly
Motorcycles and Music
Does it? I wouldn’t think the torque would change based on the termination. I suppose bare wire leaves more room for error though.
