speaker wire

[forestb]

What do you use for speaker wire and where is the best place to get it?

['65Burb]

I'll be interested to see the answers you get. I think that speaker wire is one of those things where the heavy, stranded stuff is marketed to us like we are all going to have speakers the size of those used in Shea Stadium but really anything over 18 or 20 gauge is overkill.

[61_FL_Apache]

Back in the day, Radio Shack was the place to get average speaker wire. If you need some thing heavier, Monster Cable is your answer.

[Irishbleueyes]

Originally Posted by forestb

What do you use for speaker wire and where is the best place to get it?

65Burb is right, just use standard wire...

[BR3W CITY]

do not use lamp cord, it is not designed for vibrations, and can get brittle and crack. Even the stuff that comes in most "wiring kits" at big box stores is often far too thin gauge, poorly insulated and WILL corrode. People tend to forget about corrosion on cheap wires, and it greatly affects performance.

Good quality auto speaker wire will not be the thin side-by-side wire, most times you'll see it as either 1 thick outer sheath with 2 individual colored wires run twisted inside, each being anywhere from 20 up to 16awg. This stuff is sealed completely and does not corrode, the internal twist helps avoid stretching the cable while running or stuffing it into odd places, and it reduces chafing while having more shielding than cheap wires.

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by Irishbleueyes

65Burb is right, just use standard wire...

Speaker wire is specifically designed for speakers because it is purer wire,without the "filler" metals that will cause static and interference. The better brands of speaker wire are also oxygen free-meaning the wire is actually covered while under vacuum to avoid unecessary oxidation.



Radio shack, WalMart, K mart,AutoZone, O'Reilly's any parts store sells speaker wire. If you're just installing a normal, un-amplified radio and speakers- 22-20 ga speaker wire will be just fine. As with any electrical devise, the more power or "load" the larger the wire should be.

It's not like it's expensive to use the right parts. Of coarse I've seen vehicles wired with Romex, too- suppose that was a good idea at the time.

Just my opinion,based on what I've learned over the years.

To quote my old shop instructor...."why is there never enough time to do it right, but plenty of time to do it over?..."

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Back in the day, Radio Shack was the place to get average speaker wire. If you need some thing heavier, Monster Cable is your answer.

I still do this. They have 16 and 14awg wire I use for most of my 6.5" or less. Monster Cable is hype. Most of the "pro" wire brands are the same wire with a different color housing.

If you are not running amps or anything high powered. then 14awg is about as big as you would need.

14AWG 50', $30. http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2104178

16AWG 100', $30 http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2049736

To be honest, I trust the stuff at Radio Shack over any big box store. But that's just me and I'm getting old.