hdgamerdude Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I FINALLY completed my F3, C3, S3 system so wen tto BB to buy some speakers. But they ranged from 15-120 for the same length. does it really matter or make a difference? what do I want to look for feature wise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 They matter enough that you need them and need to be hooked up correctly and the right gauge or the legnth of run. Go to Home Depot, Lowes or Radioshack and buy some basic speaker cable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_wire#Wire_gauge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hifi jim Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Well you are sure to get responses on both sides of the fence on this one. In my experience, most cables the box stores sell (Monster Cable, etc.) offer little performance improvement over generic interconnects and zip cord. Most any cable will sound different from another but to realize an improvement, I think one must spend a bit more and often the system (i.e., the equipment, the source, and the room acoustics) may not justify the expense. My favorite cables are Kimber and Nordost and both offer excellent products at their entry levels. Buying cables used on Audiogon are a great way to save money and as a bonus they are already burned in (something that some cables take a very long time to do). Having said that, you can still obtain excellent results (as many members here do) using your garden variety 16 or 18 gauge zip cord. At the very least I'd suggest using zip cord before you purchase something better just so you have a reference to compare to. Then, should you upgrade you will appreciate the difference between cables more easily. I recently bought some Kimber 4tc for my brother to upgrade his old Monster Cable and he was quite beside himself in the difference heard. He was not a believer, now he is. Compare for yourself and decide. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I get mine at Lowes or Parts Express. 16 gauge is fine for most home uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I don't know how long your runs are, but I use 12 ga for everything. I'm in the camp that I can't tell the difference - I just get ones that are sturdy and reasonably priced, which IMO includes Carol Cable (think I got that at Home Depot - probably also at www.partsexpress.com). www.monoprice.com might have some. And you might stumble on a good deal at www.accessories4less.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I also used 16 gauge. I did buy Monster, but only because I was stationed in England, and that's all they had locally on base. But I don't see the need for Monster. Acoustic Research is almost half the price, and you won't notice any difference in sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdgamerdude Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 the center channel is 3 feet, left/right front channels about 6 feet, sub woofer and surround speakers run up inside the wall over the top of the ceiling and then down the other side of the wall so about 30 feet each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InVeNtOr Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 well to join the battle.....i use all 12awg...regardless of the length. i personally go to www.monoprice.com and buy 100ft for $24. link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Gvozdjak Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Where did you get your S3s from? I have the same setup but looking for S3s for the sides. I have B3s for the rear. I would recommend 16 guage wire or thicker. Radio Shack would work http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102569 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdgamerdude Posted December 9, 2008 Author Share Posted December 9, 2008 s3's i found on craigslist. only place i was able to find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobie1dog Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 One thing you will find out with Monster cable is that after several years it will turn green inside with the corrosion that builds up in it.....it's very low quality wire unless you get their higher grades. I've torn out quite a bit of it lately on different jobs. Also just for fun, borrow someones really high grade interconnect or speaker wire and put it in just the left channel...then switch back and forth channels to see if you hear a difference from your old cheap stuff you still have in your right channel( get some other people to listen as well). Let us know what you find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Get a 100' or 200' roll of 14 gauge and you'll be set. 14 gauge for your longer runs and you will have peace of mind that you're not restricting anything. Home Depot sells 200' rolls for.....if I remember correctly.....$75.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eskimo1 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Get a 100' or 200' roll of 14 gauge and you'll be set. 14 gauge for your longer runs and you will have peace of mind that you're not restricting anything. Home Depot sells 200' rolls for.....if I remember correctly.....$75.00. Monoprice sells in-wall rated 14 ga for $54 on a 250' roll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I use at least 12 gauge cable on every speaker, Home Depot for the long surround speaker runs and generic fine-strand "home theater" for the center speaker. For the main speakers, I decided not to hold back and went for 8 gauge for the woofers and 10 gauge for the tweeters, both knukonceptz Karma Kable, in a bi-amped setup. Having said that, 14 gauge is probably all you need. It will sound a bit better than 18 gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdgamerdude Posted December 9, 2008 Author Share Posted December 9, 2008 wait, so what causes the monster cables to turn green? what makes them a lower grade wire? So is 14 gauage better then 18? Woudl that mean 12 is better then 14 and would sound better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesV Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 wait, so what causes the monster cables to turn green? Oxidation will do that to any speaker wire, not just Monster. So is 14 gauage better then 18? Woudl that mean 12 is better then 14 and would sound better? Yes, to the point that the lower the number the thicker the wire will be. Just make sure that you use the proper wire ga for the proper run that you have. That was posted by Groomlakearea51 on the first page, take a look at that link and ask any questions after that. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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