Find solution
What gauge for speaker wire??

What gauge speaker wire should I use?

  • I am running 50 feet of speaker wire (each speaker) from my amp inside my house out through the wall to outdoor speakers underneath my patio. The speakers are 100W and the amp is a surround sound rated at 75W per channel. Would 16 gauge be sufficient or should I use 14 gauge?

  • Answer:

    I recommend 16ga up to 80ft, then use 14 gauge. This is the method we use when we handle our installations. We also use professional grade cable.

dotnetwa... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

If you go in - wall, you need CL3 or in-wall rated coating on the speaker wires. "Carol" now makes good 12 ga or you can use 4-conductor, 16 ga where you twist 2 of the wires for the "+" and two of the wires for "-". For that long of a run, use 12 ga. There is a roll-off of high frequency sounds with long runs of speaker wire. Thicker wire reduces the effect. Mono price is good, or a speaker building site like www.partsexpress.com sells decent spools of speaker wire.

Grumpy Mac

16 gauge will work, but I would spend a few bucks more and get 14 or 12 gauge. Don't buy it at an audio retailer, you'll pay a fortune. Monoprice has excellent wire at very low prices, less than $30 for 100 feet of 12 gauge. http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239

Bytefield

14 would be fine but if your budget allows go for 12 gauge. Dayton audio sells a 100 ft roll for 55-60$.

Cody

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.