Speaker wire size

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=61624
Printed Date: May 09, 2025 at 1:42 PM

Topic: Speaker wire size

Posted By: hurtado_roberto
Subject: Speaker wire size
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 11:53 PM

I was wondering what size wire I should buy for home audio in-wall speakers. The longest run will be about 50 feet. I'm not sure which speakers I'll end up buying and how many but they shold be between 50w and 100w RMS at 8ohms.

Does anyone know of a page with a table for sizing speaker cable like the "Power and Ground" page in this site?

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Poly Dollies

Replies:

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 12:11 AM

16 gauge. That's the only number you need to know.

Use the speaker wire gauge table, and figure amperage by using Ohm's Law. You'll find that the current will be quite small in comparison to what a 16 gauge wire will safely handle. Remember, your dealing with 110 volts with home audio....and volts X amps = power. The more voltage there is, the less current the wires have to conduct.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Posted By: 03taurus
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 7:49 AM

I thought that the signal going to home speakers was pretty much the same as audio speakers. The voltage is just for the input power on the amp not the output. I could be wrong, but I am almost positive.

Anyways, like mentioned look at the chart. It all depends on how much power loss you want to have. Sure you can run 2 gauge if you can afford it. My Infinity 750 home theater system came with something like 20 gauge. I upgraded to 16 gauge, and I am running 100 X 7 from my Yamaha unit. My back 2 speakers have about 30 feet of wire. Just compare the price of 16 gauge and 14 gauge and see if you want to spend the extra dough. Have fun with it, I know I did.

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 7:33 PM

You're right, taurus. It hit me later what a goof that was but I forgot to go back and delete it. Thanks for setting it straight.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Posted By: Steelcity
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 11:46 PM

Is 16 guage appropriate for running a 350 watt sub woofer in a car?

Posted By: Steven Kephart
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 12:03 AM

It's more than adaquate. That's what I use with almost 4 times that power.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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Posted By: Teslank
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 1:16 AM

lol i use only 12 gauge and thats because i dont want to put power/ground wires on my sub posted_image

Posted By: Steven Kephart
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 1:55 AM

Larger wire looks cool, but isn't needed. Heck, I was planning on running 8 awg wire to my inverse mounted sub where it was visible. However now my plans have changed. Since I will be the one building my sub, I decided to not run the tinsel leads through the cone or add terminals. I will instead just run the speaker wire inside the enclosure and run the leads through the dust cap. I figure that should look really trick. posted_image Of course now I will be using the 16 awg wire again.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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Posted By: speedwayaudio1
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 2:15 AM

I run 8awg on my inverted subs. I know it's way over kill, but wtf it"s car audio and overkill is fun.

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Big Dave