long wire runs

What's better, Longer RCA cable runs or Longer speaker wire runs?

I'm completely re-doing the set up in my Boat (yes boat, couldn't figure where to put this question), and the biggest problem I have is routing the wires. It's next to impossible to set up an audio system in a boat without long wire/cable runs due to the lack of ways to get wire from one side to the other (you have to route around the front or rear of the boat to get to the other side).

I have the opportunity to put my head unit, EQ/line driver and Amps just about anywhere but currently they are installed on the passenger side of the boat out of my reach. I can move my Line driver over to the driver side to give me volume control but that would mean long runs for the RCA cables. If I move the head unit with the line driver it'll shorten the distance between the two but have a long RCA run to the Amps. If I move everything over then I'll have long Speaker wire runs.

I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do this. Easiest way is just run long RCA cables but I don't mind redoing the whole set up to do it the right way. Moving the amps over to the driver side will also shorten the power runs to the battery.

Thanks

If I had an option I would go with longer speaker wires as opposed to longer signal wires. Signal wires are susceptible to noise/interference so it is always nice to keep them as short as possible.

Depending on the length of the run and the power of the system you may need to use thicker speaker wire for optimal results.

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Kevin Pierson

Thanks KP,

I've been drawing out all my options and it's probably best to move everything and go with the longer speaker wires. I hadn't thought about using heavier gauge wire so thanks for reminding me.

Isn't there a chart somewhere that shows the gauge of wire in relation to the length?

Found it, thanks: Wire Gauge Chart

And I'd go with longer RCA/signal runs for lower cost, weight & power loss.

BUT that does assume negligible interference and signal loss...

If noise is a problem, then the usual "short" low power (signal) path and longer "overwhelm with power" runs....


Maybe I'm too used to using relays? (IE - often used to minimise heavy wiring even when losses and switch capacities are fine...)