Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
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
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,848 Likes: 14
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,848 Likes: 14 |
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#wiretableI 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 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Sure, David; 14 gauge is fine. Check the wire table in Mr. Russell's article .
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
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 No joke, thought they ran 16 gauge wire.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
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.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
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
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
Where's the ::like:: button?
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
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
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Re: Speaker gauge versus length? Splices?
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 95
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 95 |
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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