Does it matter what size speaker wire I use? My amp wiring kit came with 12 guage speaker wire, but it was only enough to reach one rear speaker. So my buddy had some smaller wire (not sure what gauge) and we used that for the front speakers and the other rear speaker. Will there be more power running through that 12 guage, in turn having better sounding speakers? We arent sure if it really matters.
Speaker wiring ?
- Thread starter 19stang66
- Start date
iskwezm
10 Year Member
most speakers come with 16GA or smaller,if your running a amp, youll notice the wire gets a little warm.I usually run 14 GA or bigger anytime i install or sell anything.
Yes it does matter, smaller wire will build up resistance
Yes it does matter, smaller wire will build up resistance
Mr. Rustypwnz
Advanced Member
How much juice are you running to the speakers, amp, or just head unit? I also say 12 gauge or bigger, for speakers with amps running more than 200 watts.
Josh
Josh
Mr. Rustypwnz
Advanced Member
I would run 12 gauge to the 6x9's and the 6 1/2's, and 10 gauge to the sub, you could also run 14-16 gauge to the 4 speakers, but you really need at least a 12 gauge for the sub, so you keep everything nice and cool.
Josh
Josh
Sleepycow
New Member
You can run a 16 from the head to the amp as the on/off or radio signal wire, and I'd run 12's to the sub since it'll be getting the most juice. 14s are nicer for the 4 satellite speakers, because it'll keep the wiring cooler than 16s, and cooler wiring means less resistance and clearer sound. Of course you can take this too far and go way over the top, in which case it's just plain silly.
How are you splitting up the power? Is it a 600W amp with 4 satellite outs and a seperate sub out, or do you have a seperate amp for the sub? I recommend, to music gurus who can't live without it like myself, having a seperate sub amp if you can afford it, because you can get better control of crossover frequencies and the fine adjestments that can in my opinion make or break a sound system. Also, if you push it too far and blow out the sub amp, you still have your satellites working.
How are you splitting up the power? Is it a 600W amp with 4 satellite outs and a seperate sub out, or do you have a seperate amp for the sub? I recommend, to music gurus who can't live without it like myself, having a seperate sub amp if you can afford it, because you can get better control of crossover frequencies and the fine adjestments that can in my opinion make or break a sound system. Also, if you push it too far and blow out the sub amp, you still have your satellites working.
