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16 gauge vs 12 gauge?

post #1 of 38
9/28/08 at 9:04pm
Thread Starter 
howdie guys, i have a 16 gauge monoprice speaker wire cable running from my reciever to all my speakers(def tech ProMonitor 1000s), my reciever is the onkyo sr606, my question is, if i were to replace the speaker wire with a 12 gauge speaker wire, would i notice a difference in sound or no?

the speaker wire for the surrounds are about 30 ft i think if im not wrong, the fronts are very close to the reciever so the wire is about 10 ft id say for the fronts.
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post #2 of 38
9/28/08 at 9:07pm
Read this
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wi...resistancehigh
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post #3 of 38
9/28/08 at 9:08pm
If your longest run is only 30ft, and the others are 10 feet you won't notice a difference at all. Save your money.
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post #4 of 38
9/29/08 at 6:29am
The difference is 4 guages
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post #5 of 38
9/29/08 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ExAnim8r View Post

The difference is 4 guages

and what's your point by saying that?
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post #6 of 38
9/29/08 at 6:52am
It's a joke. Your question is already answered, calm down.
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post #7 of 38
9/29/08 at 6:55am
Based on that chart (which is a great reference; one I use all the time), if your speakers are 4 ohms nominal 16 gauge will be good up through 24 feet. At 6 ohms it is good through 36 feet. Finally, at 8 ohms the wire is good for a run of 48 feet.

16 feet will definitely be fine for the fronts, but you'd have to find out the impedance (ohms) of the rears to figure out what gauge they need at a 30' run. If they are rated at 6 ohms nominal or higher, you're good to go.
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post #8 of 38
9/29/08 at 6:56am
oops - sorry about the the double post.
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post #9 of 38
9/29/08 at 11:48am
Of course no one here would want to bet $1 million to prove there's actually a noticeable difference between 16 and 12.
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post #10 of 38
9/29/08 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
my surrounds and rear surrounds are the promonitor 800 which are of impedance 6

So it's not worth upgrading?
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post #11 of 38
9/29/08 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
my surrounds and rear surrounds are the promonitor 800 which are of impedance 6

So it's not worth upgrading?
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post #12 of 38
9/29/08 at 12:34pm
I personally doubt that you could detect a difference by upgrading to 12 AWG. But, it won't hurt and if it gives you peace of mind, go for it.

Incidentally I have a longer run than that with some 16 AWG, but the speakers in question are a very benign load and I don't worry about it.
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post #13 of 38
9/29/08 at 1:00pm
I also doubt you'll hear a difference, but go for it if you want to.
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post #14 of 38
9/29/08 at 3:26pm
16-18 gauge is plenty for real world applications, even on $$$$ speakers, all wire is the same and has no sound, either the signal gets to the speakers or they don't and if they don't the wire is either broken or shorted.

People think too much about wire gauge, just as long as your not using 24-22 guage your fine.
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post #15 of 38
9/29/08 at 4:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond Leggs View Post

16-18 gauge is plenty for real world applications, even on $$$$ speakers, all wire is the same and has no sound, either the signal gets to the speakers or they don't and if they don't the wire is either broken or shorted.

People think too much about wire gauge, just as long as your not using 24-22 guage your fine.

Not true, and you'd know that if you actually bothered to read the Russell explanation of signal loss. Stop misleading people!
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post #16 of 38
9/29/08 at 9:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info guys, i ordered a 100ft 12 gauge speaker wire from monoprice just for the heck of it and peace of mind, i have one question, 100ft wont be quiete enough for my rear backs too, can i use the 16 gauge monoprice cable for the rear backs and use this new 12 gauge speaker wire for the surrounds and the fronts?

Thanks again guys.
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post #17 of 38
9/29/08 at 9:50pm
I would use 16 gauge for the fronts and 12 gauge for all the surrounds.

Or if you're still coming up short, use the 16 gauge for the side surrounds. Give the rears the heaviest gauge.
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post #18 of 38
9/29/08 at 10:03pm
yeah use the 12g for the speakers furthest away
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post #19 of 38
9/29/08 at 10:19pm
I am running 50 feet 12 gauge cable going into a 2 ohm load. It works fine that I know of. That chart says 10 gauge is what I should use, what happens? These are my subs.
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post #20 of 38
9/29/08 at 11:35pm
If you do get 12ga wire, make sure your satellite can handle the thick wire. I've never seen the back of Promonitor 800 speakers. Do they have binding post or just spring clips?
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post #21 of 38
9/29/08 at 11:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond Leggs View Post

16-18 gauge is plenty for real world applications, even on $$$$ speakers, all wire is the same and has no sound, either the signal gets to the speakers or they don't and if they don't the wire is either broken or shorted.

People think too much about wire gauge, just as long as your not using 24-22 guage your fine.

the truth is spoken...

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post #22 of 38
9/30/08 at 12:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance View Post

Not true, and you'd know that if you actually bothered to read the Russell explanation of signal loss. Stop misleading people!

I don't think that will happen anytime soon. Our only hope is that people won't pay attention to what he says. I say if you want to keep your sanity, stop trying to educate Mr. Leggs!

On the other hand, Raymond's last post is proof that anything is possible. Look carefully - I don't see a SINGLE smiley!!! Guess there's a first time for everything...and hey, maybe there's hope for him yet.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond Leggs View Post

16-18 gauge is plenty for real world applications, even on $$$$ speakers, all wire is the same and has no sound, either the signal gets to the speakers or they don't and if they don't the wire is either broken or shorted.

People think too much about wire gauge, just as long as your not using 24-22 guage your fine.
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post #23 of 38
9/30/08 at 4:59am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

If you do get 12ga wire, make sure your satellite can handle the thick wire. I've never seen the back of Promonitor 800 speakers. Do they have binding post or just spring clips?


well i think they can handle it, basically on the back of the promonitor 800 i unscrew both jacks(red and black) and then once u released the screwed further out enough you will see a hole on the side, u put the wire in there and then screw the jack back in so that it tightens on the screw and thats it, before i cut the 12gauge cable when i get it , i will check if it getts in the promonitor 800s back and then ill be sure, but im pretty positive its gonna be fine and id like to have a peace of mind.

Guys i can only GAIN from upgrading to 12 gauge right? theres no tradesoffs of any kind from using a thicker cable ya?
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post #24 of 38
9/30/08 at 5:28am
Yes, you can only gain and maybe the best thing you'll gain is just peace of mind.
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post #25 of 38
9/30/08 at 5:34am
I thought this thread was going to be about shotguns...

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post #26 of 38
9/30/08 at 6:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Scarpelli View Post

I thought this thread was going to be about shotguns...


yep

mit has shotgun cables

http://www.mitcables.com/index.php?o...ask=view&id=48

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post #27 of 38
9/30/08 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lamonsasa View Post

before i cut the 12gauge cable when i get it , i will check if it getts in the promonitor 800s back and then ill be sure, but im pretty positive its gonna be fine and id like to have a peace of mind.

Well, 12 gauge is pretty damn thick. Look at a power cord on a lamp. That's close to 12 gauge wire, might be 10 gauge.

Quote:



Guys i can only GAIN from upgrading to 12 gauge right? theres no tradesoffs of any kind from using a thicker cable ya?

Only tradeoff is a lighter wallet. And potential fitting issues.
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post #28 of 38
9/30/08 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
Alright I'll defintley check it out, if it's too thick I'll return it but I think it'll b fine


And I love peace of mind
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post #29 of 38
9/30/08 at 8:04am
If it's too thick, just trim some strands off till it fits.
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post #30 of 38
9/30/08 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lamonsasa View Post

...Guys i can only GAIN from upgrading to 12 gauge right? theres no tradesoffs of any kind from using a thicker cable ya?

The only downside is that 12 gauge can be quite stiff (varies by brand) and difficult to maneuver around tight corners, which an be a bit of a nuisance in some situations.
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