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Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
#168012 05/12/07 03:46 AM
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Due to the weird construction of the room I have to run longer speaker cables for my rear speakers. Is 12 gauge sufficient for 40 feet long runs? I need 40 feet for one speaker and 30 feet for the other rear speaker. Are there others that have runs longer than 40 feet? Also should I make the other one 40 feet also to have them equal length if I have any left over (I bought 100 feet spool)?


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Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
ereed #168013 05/12/07 03:56 AM
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12 gauge is more than enough (see the chart on this often linked page). There is absolutely no need to cut the wires to the same length. Since electricity travels at nearly the speed of light (186,282 miles per second) along wires, the difference in lengths between two wires would have to be many miles before you could hear any delay. Use only what you need to go between the speaker and the amp.

Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
pmbuko #168014 05/12/07 04:46 AM
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Peter is correct, you should have no problems. I have one run that is over 50 feet and it works great.


-Dave

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ravenmanor.com/cinema/
Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
dllewel #168015 05/12/07 01:57 PM
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What Peter said. It won't hurt to leave a little slack at each end just to be safe...

Last edited by sirquack; 05/12/07 01:57 PM.

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Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
SirQuack #168016 05/12/07 04:49 PM
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Awesome response! I'm gonna run the wires this weekend and I'll take some pics of how I ran the wires. By the way I bought Axiom bulk 12 gauge and its so flexible which is perfect for how I'm gonna run the cables in tight places. Pics coming soon!


Axiom M60s, VP150, QS8s, EP500 -- Rotel 1075 & 1068 -- Panasonic BDT500 -- Panasonic 60S60
Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
ereed #168017 05/14/07 10:34 PM
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Just remember to try and keep it away from your AC electrical if possible.

Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
pmbuko #168018 05/15/07 11:12 AM
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Somebody, with just a little electronic knowledge, has probably talked to him and confused group delays, at much higer transmission frequencies than at audio.

You're right, a few 10s of feet is nothing to worry about with audio transmission!!


The Rat. M80s, VP-150, QS8s, SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO, Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880 Sony 60" SXRD HDTV
Re: Long speaker cable runs...12 gauge enough?
KC23 #168019 05/16/07 02:13 AM
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Quote:

Just remember to try and keep it away from your AC electrical if possible.




I've got all my surround wires (all 14 ga Monster CL2 rated) running long lengths (55' in one case) to avoid the bundle of 35+ 120/240V wires running to the breaker panel, which unfortunalely, is positioned directly behind my big screen Even with a couple ground loop filters, I've got horizontal bars on some weaker channels, but no 60Hz hum My mains and center run on Axiom 12 ga cables that are 14' each.

Scott


Scott

My HT

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