Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Finally upgrading my speaker wire....

....fronts for now. I have had the Monster navajo white THX wire for about 10 or 12 years now. It has served me well, but after years of re-twisting the banana plugs back on, the wire was getting chewed up....also, I think it was about 16-14 gauge.

So i ordered some bulk Axiom wire and the dual spring plugs for all 3 fronts. The speakers aren't the best, but I'm hoping to gain some qualitative improvent by upgrading the wires....any chance?

I want to replace the surround wiring, but this will put me back about $270. But I do need to replace my surround speaker wire (16-14 gauge) at some point.

I keep trying to save for M60s/80s and a VP150, but I keep coming up with reasons to tweak my system, since I already have OK fronts, with small things (power conditioner, good cables) i've been meaning to get for a while.

Slim to none chance of the new cable improving the sound. Instead of purchasing new cable, you could have just trimmed the chewed up ends of the Monster Cable off and stripped some fresh ends.

That being said, I'm sure the Axiom cable is much nicer to work with.

I'd save the extra $$$ and put the upgrades towards more impactful purchases...such as more Axioms!

Of course, alternatively, you could buy wire elevators to keep them off the floor, or green markers to make your cd's sound better...

Am I ok with the current wire I have for the surrounds? the sides are about 30' and the backs about 36' and the wire is about 16-14 Gauge.

It depends a bit on whether it's 16 ga or 14 ga... My surrounds have about 30' attached, and I think it's 16ga. It's fine.

Hi Vassillios,

Here is an often linked to web page that describes why you probably will not get any audible improvements with new wire unless the tips were totally wrecked or corroded or you were using too small a guage for the length of the run.

It also has a good chart to tell you if you really need to bother changing the guage of your other speaker wires because of distance. You will hopefully check your distances and find out that you are OK with what you have and can save the money for better speakers or other goodies.

Speaker Wire Explained

You can get good 12 gauge wire from http://www.bluejeanscable.com for about 60 cents per foot

I bought the BJC Twelve White (5000UE) (White jacket, 12 AWG) wire and am very pleased with it.

However, it does not sound like your really need to replace the wire.

Terzaghi,

I also bought cables from bluejeans (12guage greyjacket) because I couldn't find an equivalent for cheaper. However, I recently noticed Monoprice.com has the exact same 12 guage white jacket (with red and black wires) for $0.31/foot for a 250 foot roll ($77 for a 250ft roll). My friend ordered some and I have seen the cable, and it looks very nice.

Next time I buy speaker cables, monoprice will have my business.

Thanks for that link, looks like I am good to go on my surrounds as the wire ends are still pretty good. Now I wish I had saved the cash instead of getting these wires...oh well

No worries - you can always use the extra wire to fire up some outdoor speakers or feed another audio zone!

oh no, I really am looking forward to replacing the wiring on the front channels.

wow, 30 cents a foot? heck of a deal. I spent $85 (plus shipping)and I only got 140 ft at the $.61/ft price. I also bought a subwoofer cable and some bananna plugs

V, actually the point is that the front speakers are generally the ones that least need thicker wiring, because the run is usually short. Even 18ga is fine.

Only if the Rx is situated at the front of the room, i.e. for those people with their girly little mini-screen TVs!

So the wire has arrived. The 12 ga wire may be overkill for the fronts, but the thick wire is somehow more reassuring and satisfying. I really like this wire.

I bought the wire from monoprice.com that was mentioned earlier....for the surrounds.

I probably didn't need this thicker gauged wire, but now I will never doubt a decision not to get it. Besides, i'll be putting the crown moulding (to hide the surround wire) up soon...once that happens, I won't be able to replace the wire later if I feel it becomes neccessary.

Nothing wrong with going heavier than you need, it's just wrong to pay too much for it.

hence the reason I went for the monoprice wire for the surrounds. 200 ft for $50 some dollars...not too bad.