Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater I Finally Did It!!!!!!

I forgot to add this to my last post. 14g vs 12g....

I have to run about 35 feet of wire to each surround. In a recent article I read, Alan Lofft said "For cables runs of less than 25 feet, 14-gauge cable is ample. For speaker cables shorter than 15 feet, 16-gauge is fine. Long runs of 25 feet or more require 12-gauge." I am also going to use new wire for the fronts. If I choose 14 gauge for the surrounds, should I use 14g for ALL speakers? Or can I mix the gauges based on the varying lengths required? Where do I come up with these questions? Any thoughts?

Thanks, John

Michael, you better plan on taking Tuesday off as well; it is going to be difficult to spend a day at work when you could be enjoying the speakers instead.

I think 14 gauge wire would be fine for your surrounds. That is what I use and have no problems. For the front three speakers I would not use 16 gauge wire. Most of the sound comes from the front three speakers, so you don't want to skimp on skinny wire. I would use 12 guage wire up front.

I used 12 and 14 gauge wire for various speakers, mainly because it was available and met my criteria for in-wall or under-carpet use, etc.

There's a tendency to shy away from smaller gauge speaker wire. However 16 gauge wire is rated for 13 amps at 115VAC and 1560 watts, *continuously*. It's safely used as AC extension cord for fairly high wattage devices. It seems 16 gauge wire could carry much lower loads typical of speakers. Those likely average around 1-2 watts with very brief peaks around 100-200 watts.

I use 12 gauge for the signal going to the speaker and 18 gauge for the signal coming back, after all by that pointt you've already heard the sound so there is no point in spending the extra money

Heavier gauge for longer runs.
Lesser gauge is fine for shorter runs.
Not the reverse.

In reply to:

---

I use 12 gauge for the signal going to the speaker and 18 gauge for the signal coming back, after all by that pointt you've already heard the sound so there is no point in spending the extra money.

---

Ford,

What type of setup do you have which has signal coming back to the receiver from the speakers?

Just wonderin'...

WhatFurrer

Well, Fed Ex tracking info is showing the package as "delivery attempt" as of this morning. Those b*stards are trying to make me take two days off of work now. Re:wire - I took a look at Home Depot's website and didn't see that they even sold 12 gauge (only 500ft of 14 or higher). Maybe they have it at the store even though it's not listed online. This is going to be a tough day at work.

I just knew I shouldn't have tried to be funny.

I never saw 12g wire at Lowes or Home Depot. I just bought 100 ft of 14 g for $25. I'm going to check Radio Shack on the way home, but I think their 12g is 99 cents/foot!!!

The last time FedEx tried to deliver something to my house (Dell PC) they attempted to deliver it 2X. Finally, I decided to get it myself and I drove to Allentown, PA to pick it up at their dist. center.(I live in NW NJ)

Hope you get them soon.