I'm using 16 gauge wire with my vintage 16 ohm speakers at a length of 10 feet or less. Would a thinner gauge like 22 or less be a better gauge for speakers built in the late 50's or early 60's? I'm using 16 gauge now, Thanks
Speaker Wire Gauge for Vintage 16 Ohm Speakers?
- Thread starter Cactus Bob
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BinaryMike
Pelagic EE
I don't see any reason to alter what you're doing.
I agree.
Why do you think (marginally) increasing the wire resistance would do you any good?
MAXIMUM WIRE LENGTHS:
18 Gauge - 15 ft for 4 ohm, 30 ft for 8 ohm, 60 ft for 16 ohm
16 Gauge - 25 ft for 4 ohm, 50 ft for 8 ohm, 100 ft for 16 ohm
14 Gauge - 40 ft for 4 ohm, 80 ft for 8 ohm, 160 ft for 16 ohm
12 Gauge - 60 ft for 4 ohm, 120 ft for 8 ohm, 240 ft for 16 ohm
10 Gauge - 100 ft for 4 ohm, 200 ft for 8 ohm, 400 ft for 16 ohm
Wire lengths above represent theoretical wire resistance equal to 5% of the speaker impedance.
(I normally halve the above lengths to be safe, and halve them again for loads that are variable well below the stated impedance.)
18 Gauge - 15 ft for 4 ohm, 30 ft for 8 ohm, 60 ft for 16 ohm
16 Gauge - 25 ft for 4 ohm, 50 ft for 8 ohm, 100 ft for 16 ohm
14 Gauge - 40 ft for 4 ohm, 80 ft for 8 ohm, 160 ft for 16 ohm
12 Gauge - 60 ft for 4 ohm, 120 ft for 8 ohm, 240 ft for 16 ohm
10 Gauge - 100 ft for 4 ohm, 200 ft for 8 ohm, 400 ft for 16 ohm
Wire lengths above represent theoretical wire resistance equal to 5% of the speaker impedance.
(I normally halve the above lengths to be safe, and halve them again for loads that are variable well below the stated impedance.)
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So I guess I'm not off base thinking of 22 gauge in my situation?
and also could there be any benefit to change from 16 to 22?
I don't understand anything in your last post.
Why do you think it will be an improvement? Click here and go to "wire table".
Why do you think it will be an improvement? Click here and go to "wire table".
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Horn Head
Super Member
No, keep what you have and let the current flow.
Smaller is never better. It either won't make any difference, or it will be worse.
BinaryMike
Pelagic EE
There is one conceivable reason to use tiny speaker wire: to make a solid-state amp sound more like a tube amp. If this is the goal, then I suggest getting a pocketful of low-ohm resistors, or a decade box, instead. This makes experimentation more convenient.