Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Speaker cable: Who's right?

Hey guys, I'm planning out my speaker cable runs now but I'm a tad confused as to why different sources have different max. lengths:

16awg, 4ohm load:
max 60ft: http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_216.html
max 24ft: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable
max 10ft: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge

14awg, 4ohm load:
max 90ft: http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_216.html
max 40ft: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable
max 18ft: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge


12awg, 4 ohm load:
max 140ft: http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_216.html
max 60ft: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable
max 30ft: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge

My max. single run is about 24ft. so I thought I could get away with 16awg but Audioholics' table is giving me doubts. I think Axiom uses Roger-Russell ratings, but should I just assume worst case scenario and go with Audioholics' ratings and use 12awg or would that really be overkill? Or maybe compromise and go 14awg?

What is the price difference between all options?
I doubt erring on the side of caution will bankrupt you.
I personnally always use 12awg, but I have run where I could have settled for 14awg if not for the added inventory of keeping spare cables for too many lengths/gauge.

I use 12AWG for all my runs, no matter what the distance. I've always used Russells table as a guidline, but it is not set in stone. The more copper the better in my book. If you order from placed like monoprice, or even locally at a home improvement store off the spool, there is not that much difference in cost. Do it right the first time, lol.

Yeah, I would just buy a 100' or 300' spool of 12 gauge from Monoprice and be "good for life"!

100'

300'

You can ignore AV Outlet since they say things like:


Which way does alternating current flow again?

It depends if the music is in 3/4 or 4/4!

Dat dare is an excellent price.

Agreed with above comments, but don't forget if your run will be in ceiling or in wall you should get the cable that's coated for that type of installation (CL2 rated).

Yeah those are great prices. I have to say I wish I had started reading this forum long before I started building my HT. I saved a bunch of money with Axiom speakers vs. what I was considering, but could have saved sooo much more had I just been in the know on all the other items. Oh well, there's always next time!

Yeah.

Plenum Cable! Take that, Chris!

Thanks to everyone who responded. Clearly, I had not looked at prices first. Wow, even with shipping to Canada it's a good deal. For the price diff I think I'll just go with 12awg and not ever worry about it again

Done!

htnut, I think there's a certain pricepoint where if you keep your order under it($60...80...100?) you won't get dinged by customs. You should be ok with what your ordering, but just giving you a headsup.

Can't you bribe the Customs guy with a Molson or a hockey puck or whatever you guys value up there? ::Can't run fast enough on this one::

<MarkSJohnson>User Deleted</MarkSJohnson>

Beaver tails work well depending on where they're from! (I just had some last weekend)

Thanks!

Definitely beer. Although, beer in a bottle shaped like a hockey puck would be the ultimate.

LOL, usually one or the other will do.

Don't think I've ever had a beaver tail I did not thoroughly enjoy

Then you’ve never had anyone put one back on your plane with the wrong screws punching holes in your center wing tank.

Ouch, I'll stick to the yummie ones.

I honestly can't tell if all these beaver tail comments are really referring to eating the tail of a beaver, or if they are thily veiled euphamisms for sexual activity.

If its the former, I've never tried beaver tail. Where would you get it?

If they are the latter, I too have never had a beaver tail that I didn't enjoy! I LOVE Beaver Tail!

If its none of the above, I'm really confused.

snazzed

LOL, well this is a family forum so I don't know about anyone else but I'm talking about this:

http://www.canadianparents.com/recipe/beaver-tails

Well, now, don't you all feel dirty.

Sinful, lascivious heathens! I should smite thee!

Whoa, waitaminnit, that was just the Deep South talking, not me, really. As you were.

20 AWG = 0.5 mm2
18 AWG = 0.75 mm2
17 AWG = 1 mm2
16 AWG = 1.5 mm2
14 AWG = 2.5 mm2
12 AWG = 4.0 mm2
10 AWG = 6.0 mm2

I use 4.9mm2 (sold as 6mm OD, which is pretty meaningless) auto electrical cable, red and black in a black sheath. Its almost too big for the Axiom binding posts, and is too big for the Pioneer's binding posts, but I eventually got it all in there.

It's probably not Oxygen Free though *gasp*

I paid about $60AUD for a 30m (100ft) roll... so that monoprice is pretty damned good.

Don't ever assimilate, J.P.!

You said it. Augusta is the buckle of the Bible Belt, that's for sure.

What are you saying? the groin is just south of you?

Yes I meant the pastry HT - shame on the rest of you!

Here's where you buy them

and here's another shot of what they look like:


They're a great way to warm up when out skating in -18 C !(0 F for those of you south of the border)

That looks like what we call "fried Dough" around here. "Fair" food...

Yup, that's really what it is Mark. It's just that much more intriguing and Canadian when you call it a beaver tail

See, I just figured you foreign weirdos were eating actual beaver's tails.

It DOES sound more exotic, I'll give you that!

Yeah, that'd be Savannah.

Me too - I figured they were making soup out of 'em.

That's what I'd do. It works for turtles.

Nah, soup would be a waste of the naturally flat surface of the tail that's just made for holding stuff like butter, sugar, cinnamon and other good stuff. Wait, I think it's off to the Rideau Canal for lunch now...

That's what everyone (Canadian or not) who's not had one before thinks too

If you want a Canadian place that is reasonable, but not Monoprice cheap unfortunately, try these guys. Infinite Cable I've used their HDMI cables, plates, keystones etc.... and never had an issue.

I find bringing in from the US can be cheaper, but only when the price difference is more than $50. Under that is luck of the draw. If you do order something from Monoprice, see if they'll ship using USPS as the border fees are alot less.

Probably because oxtails can make some tasty soups and stews.

Down here at the "Dixie Classic Fair" we call them "Elephant Ears"

I think he meant the real beaver tail...which would not make very good soup at all.

Oh yes, that's right! I've seen those too.