Just bought my first house and can finally run the speaker wire for the surrounds in-wall. For longer runs should I use 12 or 14 guage? Normally I just use 12 guage but got to thinking about it and wondered how distance factors into it, if at all.
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Hi Pez,
Use 12-gauge. 14-guage might be okay right now, but what happens if you upgrade later to a surround speaker that requires more juice to drive it? The few cents more it'll cost you is far outweighed by not having to redo the runs later..
David - Trigger-happy HTGuide Admin -
Thanks. Also going to do about 3 zones. I love the possibilites for audio in other zones that comes with homeownership.Comment
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I used 12 gauge in the previous house that I owned and wired, and it worked great. David got it right--14 is good enough, but anytime you do something in-wall during construction, you want to do it right with overkill, and future-proof it.
12 gauge is no extra work to run, almost as easy to work with, and costs little more than 14 gauge. But it will be more than sufficient for your current and future needs. Those who a few years ago ran some extra runs of Cat 5e or Cat 6 cabling are sure counting their lucky stars now to add new technologies, for instance.
CHRIS
Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
- PleasantvilleComment
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Originally posted by Chris D
What about 2 vs 4 conductor wire (assuming with with 4 conuctor twisting two pairs together). I know using the 4 conductor with the bring the guage to 9 but can I just go with 2 conductor? Are the advantages worth going with 4 conductor?Comment
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I was going to order some speaker wire from PE and was just thinking...How much does the guage of the wire matter? I was going to buy some of their 10ga OFC wire is that a lot of overkill? Would 12ga be just as good? Just thought I would ask before I purchase. -
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I have 35' of wire to my surrounds is 14 guage wire enough or would 12 guage be better Thanks Rich -
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Hello,
Im considering buying better quality interconnects and speaker wire. I currently have Monster interconnects (about $35 apiece) and 12 guage Monster speaker wire.
I thinking of spending about $750.00 on interconnects.
Will better interconnects be a great difference...
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