What speaker wire size?

[Moosefire]

I'm finishing my basement and would like to pre-run some speaker wires before hand but really dont know what size I should be ran.

I imagine a good thing to tell you is what type of unit and speakers I have, but I dont have them....

This is really early and I dont have anything yet. At some point a 5.1 surround sound will be down there to watch movies and such though. Hopefully that helps.....

?

Thanks as always!

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[Vintage Veloce]

Use this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-25-ft-18-2-Gold-Stranded-CU-SPT-1-Lamp-Wire-55798121/205717538
If it is "in wall", you should use something rated for that, but speakers are "low voltage" wiring I think.

 

[Moosefire]

Simple enough! Do you have any recommendations on a wall plate that you prefer as well?

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[Vintage Veloce]

And there is all this stuff if you want something officially for speakers:
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wire-Speaker-Wires/N-5yc1vZc59p

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Simple enough! Do you have any recommendations on a wall plate that you prefer as well?

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I used low voltage boxes and left lots of wire in the wall. Used wall plates with a brush front and pulled what wire I wanted out.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVZ3DWN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But you can change the plates later as you wish.

 

[mike93lx]

I would run 16/2, in wall rated wire. 18/2 is fine for basic, low power setups. If it is something particularly nice or powerful, step up to 14/2.

Other than a passive subwoofer run by a separate amp, 12/2 is not necessary

This is what my standard approach was back when I designed and installed setups for Tweeter

 

[Stuart in MN]

Parts Express is a good place to buy wire and accessories like wall plates, if you want to shop online. https://www.parts-express.com/

 

[Notgrownup]

I got a decent price on 14ga spool so I went with. I know it was a bit overkill but can’t hurt.

 

[mike93lx]

For wall mount speakers, I wouldn't bother with wall plates and would just use a pass-through cover. For something like towers that might need to be moved occasionally, then a good quality binding post would be my choice.

 

[MBfreak]

SONOS is your friend.
No speaker wires needed, just a power outlet.
Rest is WIFI.
I have a basic SONOS setup since 2008. Perfect.

Ola

 

[engineer2]

Also check out "outdoor lighting wire". It's UL approved and typically has heavier insulation.

 

[sherlocktk]

I have used this quite a bit. Its In wall rated and you can choose whatever amps you want. I use 16 gauge for everything @ home as the wattage never really gets that high.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2817

 

[exmaxima1]

I have used this quite a bit. Its In wall rated and you can choose whatever amps you want. I use 16 gauge for everything @ home as the wattage never really gets that high.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2817

Wire for speakers is not spec'd on wattage or amperage, it is based on the resistance. Any series resistance to the speakers will affect the damping factor to the woofers, and shift the crossover network characteristics to the mids and tweeters. The general rule of thumb is to limit the series resistance to 5% of the speaker impedance. For example, 5% of an 8 ohm speaker is 0.4 ohms

16 gauge wire (assuming real copper, not "copper clad aluminum") has a nominal resistance of .004 ohms per foot. To keep the limit under .4 ohms total, the maximum length of wire is 100 feet, or 50 feet of dual conductor speaker wire. For lower impedance speakers, such as the popular 4 ohm automotive types, you would halve that length, or 25 feet.

 

[Jeff95TA]

SONOS is your friend.
No speaker wires needed, just a power outlet.
Rest is WIFI.
I have a basic SONOS setup since 2008. Perfect.

Ola

Can you use SONOS with a 5.1 (or 7.1) receiver? Is there a way to set time delays for each speaker?

 

[boostedhp]

Can you use SONOS with a 5.1 (or 7.1) receiver? Is there a way to set time delays for each speaker?

If you're trying to add Sonos capabilities to the receiver you can use a Sonos Port. I don't have a partially wired partial sonos system, but I believe you can add a Port to the receiver and use certain play speakers as surrounds. There needs to be some "master" unit at the center to control the surrounds, in this case the Port, but you could also use a playbar.

 

[budget76]

i would run at least a decent 14ga wire while you have the opportunity, you shouldn't over power it with what it sounds like your plans are.

i've used lamp cord in a pinch, wouldn't do so regularly just because it tends to be on the thinner side

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Southwire direct bury is the way to go. I ran normal speaker wire years ago down into the basement and up to my satellite speakers, it fights you. This stuff's much better. Just ran some of the 16/2 for a new setup in some built-ins and it worked well. Made in the US, and cheap, too.

Got mine at Menards, they have 11% off right now, great prices. I'd go with the 14/2:

https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?sf_categoryHierarchy=&search=southwire+speaker

 

[mike93lx]

Southwire direct bury is the way to go. I ran normal speaker wire years ago down into the basement and up to my satellite speakers, it fights you. This stuff's much better. Just ran some of the 16/2 for a new setup in some built-ins and it worked well. Made in the US, and cheap, too.

Got mine at Menards, they have 11% off right now, great prices. I'd go with the 14/2:

https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?sf_categoryHierarchy=&search=southwire+speaker

I wouldnt run landscape wire in a wall.

Just get stuff made for it. CL2, preferably OFC

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I would run 16/2, in wall rated wire. 18/2 is fine for basic, low power setups. If it is something particularly nice or powerful, step up to 14/2.

Other than a passive subwoofer run by a separate amp, 12/2 is not necessary

This is what my standard approach was back when I designed and installed setups for Tweeter

X2. Nothing smaller 16 ga. Don't buy into any hyped up stuff like Monster cable, either.

Tommy

 

[Vintage Veloce]

For my high wall mounted speakers, I brought the wires down through the ceiling with a small hole, easily patched if desired.

 

[mustangmike6996]

I like to buy all of the low voltage boxes from HD or Lowes. I saved a **** ton of cash getting the wall plates from Monoprice.

In my situation, it was for RG6 and CAT6 keystones. But the big box stores wanted about $15/wall plate for the plate and 3 keystones of your choice. Monoprice had similar spec, different manufacture for $1-2 each.

Also, that link with the double jacketed Copper/Silver wire will work great. You can add the RCA style connector or strip it for the use of spring style speakers

 

[Showkey]

Can you use SONOS with a 5.1 (or 7.1) receiver? Is there a way to set time delays for each speaker?

The beauty of SONOS is no receiver.........

Sound bar, sub woofer and satellites are linked and fed by the HDMI to sound bar.

I ditched my 7.1 years back and never looked back. One remote keeps it so simple the wife can actually make it work with supervision

Also tried multiple sound bars before finding the SONOS solution.