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Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
#356011 10/02/11 11:20 PM
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I was originally planning on running new wire for my surrounds. After poking around in the attic I realized that the walls I need to get to are pretty much impossible to fish wire through so, I'm going to use the existing wire in place. Wire is 14 gauge and I regime run is about 30-35 feet or so for each surround. I have to splice onto the wire wih another 2-3 feet of cable (using 12 gauge because that is what i have) to move speakers Where I need them.

2 questions: is 14 gauge sufficient for QS8s at distances I have? What is best way to splice the wire? I may use axioms flat wire to move them forward but will handle thT later.


-David
Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
terzaghi #356029 10/03/11 01:50 AM
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I think for that distance of run and the Q's will be fine after reviewing Roger Russel's wire table.

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

I had to splice some wires myself recently and found some solder connectors like these below at my local home improvement store. Just place the wires on both sides untwisted into the center, heat and the built in solder fuses around the wires.




M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
terzaghi #356031 10/03/11 01:52 AM
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Sure, David; 14 gauge is fine. Check the wire table in Mr. Russell's article .


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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
JohnK #356091 10/04/11 01:16 AM
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The "pro" company that prewired my house used 16 gauge for my surrounds which have about 30 ft and to make sure I wasn't loosing anything i ran som 12 gauge briefly and it amazingly sounded the same wink No joke, thought they ran 16 gauge wire.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
jakewash #356102 10/04/11 11:51 AM
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Your lucky it was even 16. Most contractor electricians run a lot thinner than that if you don't specify up front.

I actually sit as an industry representative on a board that annually reviews the electrical engineering program at our local college. (I am not an electrical engineer nor do I play one on the Internet.) For years I was suggesting that they include a home theater module in their program because of the rise in interest in home theater and that there were basic concepts that seemed to be lost on home and building designers. (Which they must face, is really the target market for thier graduates around here unluss they are lucky enough to snag a coveted position in a utility.)

I was scoffed at because they felt that this might belong in a trade program but it was too basic for an engineering program. Well, guess what they added to the curriculum last year and the faculty took all the credit for the concept. I felt like resigning because of the hypocrisy but had to tell myself it wasn't really a big deal in my life and that since my company sent me there as a representative, it would not be in my best career interests to suddenly resign. I may politely suggest that someone else might like a chance though.


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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
Murph #356111 10/04/11 03:07 PM
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Got the surrounds Hooked up last night. Used standard crimpable butt splices to splice wires together. QS8s sound amazing in my new room, even better than in my previous home.


-David
Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
terzaghi #356112 10/04/11 03:19 PM
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Where's the ::like:: button?


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
Murph #356133 10/05/11 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted By: Murph
Your lucky it was even 16. Most contractor electricians run a lot thinner than that if you don't specify up front.
It wasn't the electricians, the builder used an actual HT company to run the wiring, it was due to this fact that I was a little shocked to see the 16 gauge.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
jakewash #357455 10/26/11 05:58 AM
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humm... not sure but i think that Alan's recommendation is 14awg for 25ft or shorter. & 12awg over 25ft.

For my point of view, I run 12awg everywhere possible no matter the lenght ( in my case 35ft is the longer run ).
Is there an hearing difference between 12 & 14 ? not sure, but higher gauge should be TECHNICLY better for bass, (lower resistance & capacitance).
Pricing between 12 & 14 is not a big deal.
16awg i simply don't trust it.

In all case be careful on bargain price from hardware store those a generally poor quality & copper will oxide in mid-term, not easy to splice and not very flexible.
.. and be careful on major Brand Name they are good but generally overpriced.

For my installation most of my wiring is AXIOM 12awg 1$/ft approx. bulk wire & guest what, it's a very flexible wire much more easy to fish than the cheap 14awg from major hardware store at 0.70$/ft

Personnaly i don't like doing wiring and the worst is remake the job in short on mid-term.

A fairly good quality wiring save time,labor & money in long term.


Cambridge Audio 640r,M100,VP150v3,QS8v3,EP500v3

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