Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
Wiring
#97866 06/06/05 02:02 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 35
mikei Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 35
Hello Everyone,

I purchased my speakers friday (2 m60s, 2 qs8s and the EP500. I am so excited. Anyway, I am looking for a professional installer. I asked some of the local stores in town and one name consistantly came up.

I had him over today to give me a bid. The price was far below what I was expecting.

For speaker placement, he made some recommendations that go against what I have been reading, so I overrode him.

Also, he stated that it would be OK to use 16 gauge wire. If I planned on playing it rather loud (which I will!!! Isn't that the point?) I should go with 14 gauge as I need less than 100 feet.

What are your recommendations for wire gauge and speaker placement in a 15 x 15 x 9 room.

I live in lancaster CA. Does anyone here know of any other professional installers???

Thanks

Re: Wiring
#97867 06/06/05 02:21 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Mike, are you planning on a major project like running wires through some walls or do you need basic assistance like wiring your receiver with proper connectors, setting up levels etc? I'm sure if you ask nicely you can probably get someone from this board to help you setup your system, especially since an ep500 is on your equipment list.

I would recommend going to your local hardware store and buy some generic 12 gauge wiring. It'll work fine in most applications and cost less than the name brand.



*Michael*
AV123 Refugee - X-LS Encore, X-Voce, X-Omnis, Elt-Dpa's
Denon AVR-591
Magnavox NB500MGX BDP

Re: Wiring
#97868 06/06/05 03:03 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
Exactly what did you ask him to bid on?

If possible, I would get stranded #12 and forget the rest, unless you have a problem "running" the wire. I'd use the #12 for everything.


The Rat. M80s, VP-150, QS8s, SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO, Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880 Sony 60" SXRD HDTV
Re: Wiring
#97869 06/06/05 04:35 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
Mike, I'd second the points made by Mike Richey; unless you're talking about extensive behind-wall work which you're not experienced in, a professional installer might not be necessary. While he may be quite competent with the physical details of an installation, it's possible that he's a bit short in his knowledge of audio technology; for example, how loud you'll play it has little or nothing to do with the gauge of the wire. An excellent discussion of speaker wire, with suggested gauges, by a well-respected veteran audio professional is found here and might be of interest to you.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Wiring
#97870 06/06/05 05:34 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,488
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,488
One problem i have with people reccomending cheap hardware store wire is that not all wire is the same. I have had problems in the past with certain brands of wire oxidizing inside the jacket, considerably. And then i have had other wire that didnt. All wire is not created equal. You dont have to spend a fortune to get a respected cable. Radio shacks MEGA cable was one of the wires i had that did NOT oxidize. But that stuff isint very cheap either so any real amount of the stuff would be quite pricey. I personally see no point in using anything less than 12 gauge, no matter how short the run may be unless cost is really an issue. And instead of just blowing the guy off about his speaker placement reccomendations, how hard would it be to just move the speakers and listen to it. He might actually be right. Then again. Maybe not.

Re: Wiring
#97871 06/06/05 11:33 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
Haoleb: agreed. I did not mean "cheap" wire that will turn green with age. I also did not want to mention something like "Monster" wire because I think that there are cheaper alternatives.

Do you remember how much the Radio Shack wire was on a per foot basis?


The Rat. M80s, VP-150, QS8s, SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO, Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880 Sony 60" SXRD HDTV
Re: Wiring
#97872 06/06/05 01:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
professional installer for what? Can you be more specific. Like the others, unless your needing someone to do a total refinish of a basement, for example, this stuff is not that hard.

I used 12 guage wire for my entire setup, but it is not required if your runs are relatively short.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Wiring
#97873 06/06/05 03:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,488
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,488
I do not remember how much the 12 gauge was per foot. I think it was either around the same price as axioms cable, if not more though.

And just so you know, one of the cables that did turn black was monster cable. I do not know what plain 12 gauge is best for quality out there but im sure you can find that out with some internet searching.

Re: Wiring
#97874 06/06/05 03:55 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,339
B
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
B
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,339
I agree with the question. What are you doing that requires install? I used Axiom's 12 guage ordered with system. It was easier.

Re: Wiring
#97875 06/06/05 05:50 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 586
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 586
What difference does it make if the exterior of the wire oxidizes? Don't you still have the core of each strand to conduct the signal?

Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 565 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4