best gauge wire for subs

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=22950
Printed Date: May 09, 2024 at 3:04 AM

Topic: best gauge wire for subs

Posted By: jksharley
Subject: best gauge wire for subs
Date Posted: December 16, 2003 at 10:36 PM

for best output what is the best recommended size for speaker wire for subwoofers, ill be using the wires to carry 1250 watts to two tens if this matters. please help

Replies:

Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: December 16, 2003 at 11:00 PM

Technically it would be 4 guage wire based on the wattage you have indicated.

But total length needs to be considered as well. You must also take some common sense into account. You will not be pushing 1250 watts RMS for 5 minutes, nor 5 hours.

So, based on common sense, the wire guage would be any where from 10-8 guage for normal use. That is also placing a very large lee way for you.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

Posted By: Steven Kephart
Date Posted: December 16, 2003 at 11:40 PM

As was mentioned to me by the CEO of Adire Audio, you don't need to run anything larger than 16 awg wire for subs. I asked him this when discussing my system which uses similar power levels as you have. I did the math and posted how much resistance 5 feet of 16 awg wire has in another similar thread. IIRC the resistance was like .02 ohms or less.

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Posted By: eargasm
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 1:08 AM

i back that up. wouldnt use anything thicker than 12. not worth the trouble. unless of course its one of those spl cars with 12 batteries, 16 subs, and 20,000watts.

-------------
2001 Ford Fairmont
Alpine DVD, screen,
5.1surround processor,
5ch Class-T amp, TV tuner
and centre channel.
Focal 3way Utopia splits.
VDO navigation. Stinger cap.
Soundstream Exact subs.

Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 3:02 AM

This is for Teken:

" You will not be pushing 1250 watts RMS for 5 minutes, nor 5 hours. "

How do you know that he will not be putting out that much power all day long?

I am going to be purchasing an amplfier that does 1050 watts rms, and its for daily use. Meaning, all day all night posted_image

-------------
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp

Posted By: eargasm
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 6:16 AM

pimp, you must know that when an amp plays a big bass note it takes more power than when playing other sounds. unless the car is playing a sine wave for an SPL competition, they won't be playing a CONTINUOUS bass note.

Even if the amp is rated at that, it is unlikely to reach that level except at the peaks of the loudest bass notes, which last for milliseconds.

-------------
2001 Ford Fairmont
Alpine DVD, screen,
5.1surround processor,
5ch Class-T amp, TV tuner
and centre channel.
Focal 3way Utopia splits.
VDO navigation. Stinger cap.
Soundstream Exact subs.

Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 7:53 AM

How do I know? Because anyone who thinks they could actually sit in a vehicle for 5 hours blasting that amount of power continuously would be in the hospital due to ear & brain damage.

The most simple analogy would be, me taking you to an Airplane and sticking your head next to a jet plane engine with no ear protection and letting you hang in there for 5 hours.

Assuming you did not get sucked in, you would be quite deaf, and in serious need of medical assistance for brain trauma.

Bottom line, in competition you will never see anyone who pushes the 150dB barrier sitting in their vehicle for 5 hours at full volume.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 4:14 PM

i see. very nice rebuttle. so what u guys are sayin, is that even though it says 1050w rms, it wont be hitting that? The peak is 2100 i think. now, does that apply to amps that push 300w rms as well?

-------------
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp

Posted By: Geeque
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 4:29 PM

Cant you have that much power but listen to your sounds at say half volume?

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Gary Kline
MECP Master Technician

Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 4:43 PM

ya.. good question. cuz, thats what i do. hell, i usually keep the bass all the way down on the bass knob. I only turn it up when people pull up next to me with a system and think they have something nice. then i shake their cars, and everyone around me. then i smile, wave, and pull away from them :)

-------------
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp

Posted By: eargasm
Date Posted: December 17, 2003 at 5:24 PM

it is good to have that much power in reserve, so that when you get to a loud or bass-heavy bit of music the amp can give that bit extra. if it was a small amp running maxed out and you hit that big bass note it will distort.

so, the moral, power is gooood.