Hi folks. I know speaker wire issues have been flogged to death on this forum, as I've done a bit of digging. I've found various conflicting info on wire lengths. I'm also certain I've been doing a very bad thing by using 16 gauge wire in lengths of nearly 25 ft for each 8 ohm speaker. One thing I'm uncertain of is what I found in the following site: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

If you look at the last two sentences in the paragraph above the wire gauge chart, it states "The wire length is for TWO-CONDUCTOR wire. This includes one wire out to the speaker and one wire back again." So, does this mean that when an 8 ohm load using 16 gauge wire should be be less than 50 ft you should count each conductor? In other words, does my 25 ft two-conductor cable count as 50 ft? I'm thinking not, but I just want to be certain.

I'm thinking of making a trip to home depot for some 12 gauge wire and some stuff to fix my toilet. If nothing else, I'll improve the sound of my leaky toilet.

Thanks!

Alan posted some recommendations a few weeks ago. IIRC it was something like 12 gauge over 25 feet, 14 gauge 10-25 feet, 16 gauge for short runs.

The 12 gauge speaker wire at my Home Depot (Toronto) turned out not to be polarized (ie no way to tell one wire from the other) which was a mega-pain. I went with 12 gauge but would probably go with 14 next time.

The idea of taking cat-5 wire and twisting all the pairs together is interesting but don't know if I'll bother right now.

Axiom sells bulk 12ga cable.

According to my wife, NO. :0

i was waiting for that joke.....

bigjohn

I couldn't help myself

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In other words, does my 25 ft two-conductor cable count as 50 ft?

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No, your 25 ft. two-conductor cable counts as a 25 ft. run.

I'm not sure why Mr Russel phrased it quite that way. I'm guessing he did so, because if you run 4-conductor cable and connect 2 of the conductors to the "+" terminal, and the other 2 conductors to the "-" terminal, the impedance of the wire is changed.

For example, if you have 4 conductor, 16 gauge cable, and connect as stated above, what you have is equivalent, I believe, to 13 gauge wire.

So he justed wanted to be clear that his chart refers to your basic 2 conductor speaker wire.

So, your 25 ft. runs of 16 gauge into 8 ohm speakers is just fine. However, using 12 gauge won't hurt. I use 12 gauge for all my runs, some as short as 6 ft. No biggie.

Thanks for all the responses everybody... even the perverse ones. ;-)

It worked for Ron Jeremy, ha ha ha

Did you notice any ridges on the insulating jacket?

Some mfg'ers don't provide any "indicators" for polarization except a ridge or two on the jacket. It is typically a single ridge that runs the entire length on one conductor. That would allow you to ensure the proper conductors are connected at both the amp and speaker.

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Did you notice any ridges on the insulating jacket?

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Ribbed, for her pleasure?


Sorry, couldn't resist, and it had already gone there.

I was thinking the same thing.

my goodness...a guy tries to give some sound advice - pun intended.....SHEESH!!!! LOL