[kahoots]

Hello,

I need to get some speaker wires but not sure which one i should get? I know its either 14 gauge or 16 gauge. The distance between front speakers and receiver is 15 ft. The back speakers have been wired to the front (through dry wall by the contractor) so that to the receiver will only be 10 ft.


Also which type of wires am i suppose to get ?


16AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable - 50ft (For In-Wall Installation) or


16AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable - 50ft


I'm guessing the 2nd one since it will not be in wall installation.


Last question, close or open banana plugs? I am leaning towards closed.


thanks!

 

[AndrewS99]

16 AWG is probably fine - I usually overkill and use 14 AWG and 12AWG for runs over 20ft.


If this was what you were looking at, it's fine.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2


You can just get the in-wall stuff and not put it in the wall.


Snag some banana plugs to make connecting easier too.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

 

[radchad3]

I agree with Andrew. Monoprice has very good prices and products. I would go with 12 to 14 ga wire but otherwise just get the monoprice speaker wire. It is good quality stuff!

 

[kahoots]

thanks, is there a difference between in wall wires and oxygen free wires?

 

[TPnBobcats]

"In wall", means they are rated for installation in your wall. AFAIK this is primarily a fire resistance issue. IE. they either won't catch on fire or are rated to not emit toxic fumes if burned, that sort of thing.


Oxygen free is a completely separate rating, they are completely unrelated. Copper corrodes in the presence of oxygen and that can affect the conductivity of the copper, so "Oxygen free" cables should corrode less/not at all (not clear on exactly the details) and maintain their original conductivity. So this is considered "preferable".


Wires can be both or neither.

 

[JOHNnDENVER]

Buy a roll at Home Depot...

 

[dakar80124]

I would definitely go with at least 14awg. I have bestdealcables that are 13awg.

 

[AndrewS99]

I've seen the "oxygen free" cables with the clear casing start to rust inside even though they're "oxygen free"

I had some of the oxygen free stuff from home depot that gave me problems with my speaker cutting out. I switched to the in-wall stuff from monoprice and ran it inside my built in entertainment center and it's worked like a champ. I got 12 AWG, but like I said, I usually overspec what I buy. You'd be fine with 14 AWG and probably 16 AWG for short runs.


I'd stick with the in-wall cable as it's double wrapped and if you want to run the cable in the wall, you don't have to buy new.

 

[kahoots]

thanks for your help guys but how long can a 16 gauge wire go?

 

[AndrewS99]

Actually, check this out. I just googled "16 awg" "speaker wire" distance and got this. An *exact* answer to your question!

http://www.audioholics.com/education...er-cable-gauge

 

[airgas1998]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kahoots /forum/post/15496968


thanks for your help guys but how long can a 16 gauge wire go?

i run 16awg only for my rears @ 45ft,but not much wattage going through so no biggie. i wouldn't run 16awg at all for my lcr. i would use at least 14awg probably 12 awg.

 

[penngray]



Quote:
i wouldn't run 16awg at all for my lcr. i would use at least 14awg probably 12 awg.

Stick to the charts on the following link and everyone will be 100% happy

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

 

[AndrewS99]

penngray:


Sweet! Excellent article - thanks for the pointer!

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TPnBobcats /forum/post/15495278


Oxygen free is a completely separate rating, they are completely unrelated. Copper corrodes in the presence of oxygen and that can affect the conductivity of the copper, so "Oxygen free" cables should corrode less/not at all (not clear on exactly the details) and maintain their original conductivity. So this is considered "preferable".

Copper may oxidize when exposed to air or--more commonly corrode--when exposed to certain chemicals found in insulation, whether it is "oxygen free" or not.


The conductivity of regular annealed copper and oxygen-free are so similar that it's really not worth the extra cost.

 

[fortlee]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC) /forum/post/15501824


Copper may oxidize when exposed to air o--more commonly corrode--when exposed to certain chemicals found in insulation, whether it is "oxygen free" or not.


The conductivity of regular annealed copper and oxygen-free are so similar that it's really not worth the extra cost.

Does it mean that one should not worry if the speaker wire turns green?

Thanks.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fortlee /forum/post/15506704


Does it mean that one should not worry if the speaker wire turns green?

Thanks.

If it turns green inside the insulation? The wire still will work as it did before.

 

[fortlee]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC) /forum/post/15508349


If it turns green inside the insulation? The wire still will work as it did before.

Thanks Bob, great to know!