Speaker Wire?

[Augus7us]

Hey Guys,

I'm getting ready to hang insulation and button up my walls finally and I wanted to run some speaker wire to a few areas in the shop. I realized at that point I didn't really know what the right wire would be.

I'm looking for general purpose here as I have no idea what types of speakers I would hook up. Also is there anything else I should run for sound or tv? My plan is to have audio and a tv in a couple different spots in the shop.

Thanks!

 

[DGersic]

When I did my house, Menards had spools of Monster Cable in stock. A bit over hyped, yes, but it’s nice speaker wire, and readily available.

Everything else depends on what you want to do. I’d pull in some Cat5 or Cat6.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[The Cobbler]

lamp cord wire

 

[engineer2]

I've used low voltage outdoor lighting wire (landscape lighting cable) for the following reasons:
Inexpensive
Comes in a variety of lengths and gauges
Thick insulation
Weatherproof
UL listed

 

[Bad Habit]

If its going in the walls it needs to have a "CM" rating. Lamp cord does not. You can find cheap CM rated speaker wire. Don't waste your money on anything with the Monster name on it

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[fivespdcat]

If you're running in wall there is special speaker wire for it. You can buy it at Lowe's or HD, mine has a yellow jacket.

 

[Augus7us]

When I did my house, Menards had spools of Monster Cable in stock. A bit over hyped, yes, but it’s nice speaker wire, and readily available.

Everything else depends on what you want to do. I’d pull in some Cat5 or Cat6.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

I'd have to look at the price but I'm going to guess it will be impractical to use monster cable for where I want to run it. I am running cat 6 to my switch closet and where I'm placing come cameras. I'm debating on running drops in the wall as pretty much everything is wireless now. That and I already have so many holes I have to make in drywall for outlets I just cringe at the though of adding more for something that probably will not be used.

lamp cord wire

Does it matter the size of the speaker? If my memory of my car speaker days is accurate, I have in the past fried this type of wire with larger sub woofers. And I'd like to be able to use the home speaker stacks with the sub in them. Or am I thinking of something else?

 

[Augus7us]

If its going in the walls it needs to have a "CM" rating. Lamp cord does not. You can find cheap CM rated speaker wire. Don't waste your money on anything with the Monster name on it

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

If you're running in wall there is special speaker wire for it. You can buy it at Lowe's or HD, mine has a yellow jacket.

Ok yellow jacket with CM on it, thanks!

 

[JeepJohn62]

Speaker wire should be at least #16 gauge and #12 is better for passive speakers. If you have powered speakers, then cat5 will work.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Marctrees]

"If they are powered speakers..."

Doesn't that use low level and need SHIELDED audio cable w like RCA connectors ?

I dunno, just asking.

Otherwise w non powered "Normal" speakers I do know anything larger than like #14 is not needed for 99.9% of situations.

The Monster cable type stuff is BS... like running #8 to a 20a recept 10 ft away from panel.

I like the durability of LoE outdoor light cable, but if made in china all bets are off.

Color code before install if you want... I prefer to just ring out and mark after pulling.

TV signal IDK.

Here's an idea - Multiple placed large screens looping quality pole dancer videos could give the ambiance of suspended "GoGo girl" cages w/o the other usual hassles.

Something to think about.



Marc

 

[seanc_mt]

I used this wire... Here And these speakers Here with a decent 7.2 amp anything above 30% you cant have a pleasant conversation

I have HDMI buried for a projector but if i was going to do it again i would use flexible conduit for "future proofing"

 

[jkeyser14]

I used 12 AWG UL listed in-wall rated speaker wire in my walls. The in-wall rated wire had an additional jacket to make pulling easier and add extra protection against damage from cable staples.

 

[JeepJohn62]

"If they are powered speakers..."

Doesn't that use low level and need SHIELDED audio cable w like RCA connectors ?

I dunno, just asking.

Otherwise w non powered "Normal" speakers I do know anything larger than like #14 is not needed for 99.9% of situations.

The Monster cable type stuff is BS... like running #8 to a 20a recept 10 ft away from panel.

I like the durability of LoE outdoor light cable, but if made in china all bets are off.

Color code before install if you want... I prefer to just ring out and mark after pulling.

TV signal IDK.

Here's an idea - Multiple placed large screens looping quality pole dancer videos could give the ambiance of suspended "GoGo girl" cages w/o the other usual hassles.

Something to think about.



Marc

Yes. Shielded rca would be best for powered speakers. I guess I was thinking you could get away with shielded cat5 if you wanted.

But small gauge wire is inefficient for regular speakers. Maybe he wants a Carver 1000w amp with giant Peavey cabs? Not sure.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[exmaxima1]

Buy some cheap outdoor extension cords and just use 2 of the wires.

 

[GRivera]

Watching closely as I will be adding speaker wires before I close up too.

Does TV need coaxial to receive a FIOS signal or is CAT 6 capable of a signal?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Watching closely as I will be adding speaker wires before I close up too.

Does TV need coaxial to receive a FIOS signal or is CAT 6 capable of a signal?

Fios needs both CAT5 cable from the ONT and coax from the ONT to the wireless router and each set top box.

Tommy

 

[MadMechMaster]

I see that Menard's is now carrying "speaker cable". 16 and 14 ga
https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electronics/audio-video-home-networking/audio-video-cables/southwire-14-2-100-direct-burial-speaker-cable/94642m302/p-1513154667175-c-6297.htm?tid=-4321590475874961816&ipos=110

 

[exmaxima1]

I see that Menard's is now carrying "speaker cable". 16 and 14 ga
https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electronics/audio-video-home-networking/audio-video-cables/southwire-14-2-100-direct-burial-speaker-cable/94642m302/p-1513154667175-c-6297.htm?tid=-4321590475874961816&ipos=110

That's a pretty good deal if the wire is really copper. When you cut it, see if the strands look silvery on the ends---if so, it's CCA (copper clad aluminum), and it would be the equivalent of 16 awg.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I used this wire... Here

Sweet price!

 

[curiousB]

As previously stated it MUST be CL2 rated wire (or CL3 which is 300V instead of 150V) which means conductors and a jacket. Lamp cord, extension cords are not CL2 rated....


http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/inwallrating.htm

 

[TriumphFan]

What about outside speaker wire? I've seen rated for burial wire but I need to run on the outside of my hardiplank.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I ran a few hundred feet of this monoprice 12-2 speaker wire in the house - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2817

 

[Angelfire]

Sweet price!

It'll probably work just fine but CCA is not ideal. Basically aluminum wire with a thin layer of Cu on it.

I used this which is pure Cu but is now way more pricey than what I paid unfortunately:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001WHQ9C8/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Only 14ga but works well for my system.
Cheers.

 

[ArcticGabe]

I ran a few hundred feet of this monoprice 12-2 speaker wire in the house - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2817

This! Get the Monoprice cable. It's pure copper (not CCA) and its CL2 rated for in-wall use.

If you're putting this in a garage, then 16 ga is perfectly fine. If you are putting it into an audiophile listening studio, then you should put more consideration into your speaker cable selection.

 

[RKA]

3rd on the monoprice cabling.

 

[exmaxima1]

If 14awg does the job (and it likely will for this application), Parts Express currently has a good deal:

https://b2b.parts-express.com/jsc-wire-14-awg-2c-audiophile-grade-speaker-cable-100-ft-cl3--100-762

 

[Augus7us]

Thanks for the replies all. I think I'm going to order the mono wire from amazon.

So out of curiosity when would I need 12 over 14? I'd like to cover my bases but I'm not going to run a 1000w amp to a wall of 18's or anything crazy.

 

[Cryptic1911]

well, you'll never really hurt the wire because with the wattage a normal home stereo pushes, but I like to over size just because it has less power loss over longer distances.

quick numbers from a website with a smaller 16ga wire - at 120w, 1ft you'd end up with 119.76w, 25ft 114.2w, 50ft 108.83w, so that's roughly ~12w / 10% drop at 50ft. With 12ga at 50ft you still have 115.38w. If you do 14ga at the same 50ft, its like 112.79w. It's fairly close, and obviously with less wattage there would be less loss over distance. I just like to overkill and be ready for future upgrades. For example, I now have multiple subs the size of refrigerators and a 3000w amp powering them lol

 

[rjprice]

I just ran over 400 ft in my shop. 12ga for 6 speakers. GLSAUDIO.com. Best deal on awesome wire. 12ga, 500ft, $150 free shipping. I don't work there...

 

[csi123]

Does it matter the size of the speaker? If my memory of my car speaker days is accurate, I have in the past fried this type of wire with larger sub woofers. And I'd like to be able to use the home speaker stacks with the sub in them. Or am I thinking of something else?

It isn't the size, it is the ohms that matter. Less ohmns -> more current -> smaller gauge.

Anyway subwoofer can actually get away with larger gauge because the signal is at the line level, the amplification is at the subwoofer so there is very little current going thru the wires. You are probably thinking about passive subwoofers which are more common for auto application.

 

[Augus7us]

For example, I now have multiple subs the size of refrigerators and a 3000w amp powering them lol

We're going to need some pictures of this!!!

It isn't the size, it is the ohms that matter. Less ohmns -> more current -> smaller gauge.

Anyway subwoofer can actually get away with larger gauge because the signal is at the line level, the amplification is at the subwoofer so there is very little current going thru the wires. You are probably thinking about passive subwoofers which are more common for auto application.

Ok if I think I'm understanding you correctly and what you're saying makes sense.

I have a sizable order to place on amazon and their prices are on par or cheaper than everyone else so I think I'm going to buy a spool or 12awg since its not much more than the 14awg. Thanks for the help, this was educational!

 

[exmaxima1]

I just ran over 400 ft in my shop. 12ga for 6 speakers. GLSAUDIO.com. Best deal on awesome wire. 12ga, 500ft, $150 free shipping. I don't work there...

That's CCA wire---aluminum. Electrical equivalent to 14awg copper. And it's not CL-2 rated for in-wall use.

 

[DGersic]

I'd have to look at the price but I'm going to guess it will be impractical to use monster cable for where I want to run it. I am running cat 6 to my switch closet and where I'm placing come cameras. I'm debating on running drops in the wall as pretty much everything is wireless now. That and I already have so many holes I have to make in drywall for outlets I just cringe at the though of adding more for something that probably will not be used.







Does it matter the size of the speaker? If my memory of my car speaker days is accurate, I have in the past fried this type of wire with larger sub woofers. And I'd like to be able to use the home speaker stacks with the sub in them. Or am I thinking of something else?

This isn’t the “special” over hyped and over expensive Monster cable. Just good sized spools of decent quality speaker cable branded Monster.

Just checked their website. Doesn’t look like they sell it any more.





Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Notgrownup]

I just ran 14g speaker wire that I got for a spool at Lowe’s....for what I use in terms of audio equipment, it will serve its purpose for a long time. I did run RG6 as well in a separate hole for my antenna.

 

[ArcticGabe]

If you do chose to buy larger wire, make sure whatever you are going to wire it to will be able to accept it. For my old garage, I put 12 gauge in the walls to the speaker locations, but the wall plates would only accept 16 gauge easily. I had to trim out several strands of wire at each connection point to make it fit, which significantly negated the benefit of the larger wire. Besides, the runs were only about 15 ft each and my amp was only 80W anyway, so the larger wire was a complete waste of money.

 

[exmaxima1]

If you do chose to buy larger wire, make sure whatever you are going to wire it to will be able to accept it. For my old garage, I put 12 gauge in the walls to the speaker locations, but the wall plates would only accept 16 gauge easily. I had to trim out several strands of wire at each connection point to make it fit, which significantly negated the benefit of the larger wire. Besides, the runs were only about 15 ft each and my amp was only 80W anyway, so the larger wire was a complete waste of money.

Don't sweat it, it makes no difference at all. The resistance of the wire did not measurably change, so no ill effects. Note that the wire in the actual speaker voice coil is rarely thicker than 25awg, so it will burn before any speaker wire would.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Don't sweat it, it makes no difference at all. The resistance of the wire did not measurably change, so no ill effects. Note that the wire in the actual speaker voice coil is rarely thicker than 25awg, so it will burn before any speaker wire would.

I wouldn't worry about wire burning at all. Most amps speaker outputs are only 40V max, and about 28V at RMS. An 80 watt, 8 ohm amp flows less than 2 A.

Tommy

 

[exmaxima1]

Thanks for the replies all. I think I'm going to order the mono wire from amazon.

So out of curiosity when would I need 12 over 14? I'd like to cover my bases but I'm not going to run a 1000w amp to a wall of 18's or anything crazy.

It's all about the length of the run and the impedance of the speakers. The wire resistance should not be more than about 5% of the speaker impedance. There's plenty of easy charts available (if you don't want the math) that give the maximum distance relative to speaker impedance.

BTW, the rationale for thicker wire is not for power capacity, it is to minimize series resistance to the speaker. Any series resistance affects the damping factor of the amplifier, and could shift crossover points in the speakers.

 

[Cryptic1911]

We're going to need some pictures of this!!!

Well, this one isn't mine, but to show you what they look like finished. It's like ~24x24x48 if I remember correctly, and thats an 18" speaker in it. box is tuned to ~16hz? It's been a while since I built the two that I have. Actually going to swap them to different vbss boxes and add an additional two lol. They put out absolutely thunderous bass. I've had shampoo bottles falling off the shelf in the bathroom during mad max, and at one point I could feel the hair on my head jiggling during one of the transformers movies

 

[Grimpala]

I bet your neighbors are happy.