finallygotmyheresies Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 I need a pair of 25' speaker cables. These would be the longest i have ever used so I'm mostly concerned with heir gauge being sufficient. Would a 12 or 14 from monoprice be ok? I currently have a 8' pair of DIY StarQuad 4S11 but I dont want to spend that much on making these. Cheap but works is my goal. I've looked at lamp cord but it just seems too small for 25'. I run Cornwalls off a Panasonic SA-XR700 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 12 gauge from mono price will be fine just make sure its copper and not copper coated something 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) DON'T Check price for equivalent at Wal-mart; sometimes less expensive, but more than likely Copper Clad Aluminum. Edited November 20, 2013 by Sancho Panza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philly0116 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Check price for equivalent at Wal-mart; sometimes less expensive. Would the wire at walmart be oxygen free? For what its worth, the monoprice wire is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) Don't know, but can't imagine it would not be. You're right, buy MONOPRICE. Edited November 20, 2013 by Sancho Panza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philly0116 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 I need a pair of 25' speaker cables. These would be the longest i have ever used so I'm mostly concerned with heir gauge being sufficient. Would a 12 or 14 from monoprice be ok? I currently have a 8' pair of DIY StarQuad 4S11 but I dont want to spend that much on making these. Cheap but works is my goal. I've looked at lamp cord but it just seems too small for 25'. I run Cornwalls off a Panasonic SA-XR700 Lowes sells speaker wire by the foot. That may also be an option for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Some Wal-mart speaker wire says oxygen free; other not. So may only be CCA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Scrappy, I don't think he needs 12 gauge for that setup. 14 should be more than enough. +1 on Monoprice.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I need a pair of 25' speaker cables. These would be the longest i have ever used so I'm mostly concerned with heir gauge being sufficient. Would a 12 or 14 from monoprice be ok? I currently have a 8' pair of DIY StarQuad 4S11 but I dont want to spend that much on making these. Cheap but works is my goal. I've looked at lamp cord but it just seems too small for 25'. I run Cornwalls off a Panasonic SA-XR700 Lowes sells speaker wire by the foot. That may also be an option for you. I don't know what Lowes seller, but Home Depot used to sell 12 ga speaker wire in the 1990's that was guaranteed to turn green. Really lousy stuff. Home Depot also sells in wall speaker wire (grey sheeth) that I have had for almost 20 years and it is still good, no oxidation, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrench722 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Here is a little somthing about speaker wire. http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) The 5% assumption is correct, but the wire chart needs to be compensated for amplifier output impedance and connector resistance, it's worthless as is. Edited November 21, 2013 by djk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin_tx_16 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I vouch for Monoprice.com as well. They are my go-to source for all things cables these days. And like tigerwoodKhorns, experience with Home Depot cables is hit or miss. I ended up replacing it all after mine turned green within a year or two. Next round was also Home Depot and was perfect (to this day). Go with Monoprice and know you're getting great cables at a fantastic price. Also, while you're there, buy everything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finallygotmyheresies Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thanks for the comments. I placed a order this evening for 50' of their 12awg speaker wire. It only cost $14!! Their stuff is so cheap I wound up replacing my HDMI cables too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrench722 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I get some pretty good deals from these guys. http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Install-Bay-IBSW12-250-Value-Line-Speaker-Wire-12-Gauge-Clear-250-Each-IST13-IBSW12-250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo33 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 My 10 year-old 14-gauge 25ft Radio Shack speaker cables work just fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I vouch for Monoprice.com as well. They are my go-to source for all things cables these days. And like tigerwoodKhorns, experience with Home Depot cables is hit or miss. I ended up replacing it all after mine turned green within a year or two. Next round was also Home Depot and was perfect (to this day). Go with Monoprice and know you're getting great cables at a fantastic price. Also, while you're there, buy everything else I just bought a 30' CAT 6 cable from Monoprice for $5. I was explaining to my brother in law what monoprice sells. Monoprice sells all of the stuff that they try to sell you at an Electronics store that they mark up 200% or more and really push to rip you off. Cables, wall mounts, connectors etc. Last time I bought a laptop the salesboy (much too young to be called a man) lookd like he was either angry or going to cry because I did not want a warranty that was 25% of the price of the computer. I didn't buy any cables either. My brother sold cars 25 years ago and after work the salesmen would brag about who ripped their custome roff the worst. Don't be a chump for these sleezes to brag about while they do bong hits after work, get all of your accessories at Monorpice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) The 5% assumption is correct, but the wire chart needs to be compensated for amplifier output impedance and connector resistance, it's worthless as is. Do you have the wire chart, or graphs, that are correct? Your statement is worthless as is. Edited November 21, 2013 by Don Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 For 25' you don't need 12ga. You could probably use 16 ga. But.......... I use Home Depot low voltage outdoor lighting wire in the black shield (sold in bulk on those big rolls). I have used it for years and it doesn't turn green. It's heavy duty (can be buried) it's multi-stranded copper and costs less than most 12 ga. speaker wire. Basically 12 ga. zip cord same as what PWK used to recommend only heavier gauge. I have some of the "turn green" Home Depot speaker wire. The low voltage lighting wire is not that. I have also purchased a lot of cables from Monoprice and have been happy with their products too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 "Do you have the wire chart, or graphs, that are correct? Your statement is worthless as is." The output impedance of amplifiers varies enough that a chart would be worthless. I suggest calculating a DF of 20 (5%) based on the DF of your amplifier and the minimum impedance of your loudspeakers in the 100hz~500hz range. Years ago I did this for some 4Ω loudspeakers I owned, and with the amplifier I owned, and it calculated out to no more than 15 foot with 16ga wire. YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 My 10 year-old 14-gauge 25ft Radio Shack speaker cables work just fine. Actually, several hundred million years old. I'm a big fan of zip cord from Home Depot. Worked for PWK, works for me... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.