Speaker wire

[brmann]

This is my second posting on this subject. The first one is evidently floating around in cyberland someplace.

I'm considering running an extension from the stereo output of my HT to (RatShack) outside speakers about 80' away. Premium wire could cost upwards of $100 and I wonder it in this case it would be warranted? I have manufacturer supplied wire just laying around am tempted to just use that. What do you think?

[Chris Blount]

There is some controversy involved in this subject but through many years of reading and "ears on" listening, the best advice I can give you is to buy the best speaker wire that you can afford and don't worry about premium brands. Many people think they can hear the difference between cheaper wire and premium but in reality the difference is VERY small and you probably won't be able to tell.

With that said though, longer 80' runs like you are planning might benifit from good quality wire because you don't want too much resistance between the amp and the speakers which longer runs could create.

Again, buy what you can afford and don't worry about it.

[Neil Derryberry]

Echoing chris... brand doesn't matter. Definitely get a large-gauge wire, though.

[Richard King]

Use a good quality 16Ga or higher TWISTED PAIR speaker cable.

[Neil Derryberry]

Remember that the lower the gauge, the larger the wire.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Speaker wire is like Golf, the lower the number the better the game (or in this case speaker wire) :D

[Lightnin1]

Quad Shield RG-6 works great for those long audio runs. It has a little less signal loss than speaker wire, and is a little cheaper. You can buy simple F connector-to-RCA Jack adapters at radio shack. I have used RG-6 for audio alot and it works great.

[HTguy]

Originally posted by Pro-Com
Quad Shield RG-6 works great for those long audio runs. It has a little less signal loss than speaker wire...

Jason,

RG-6 does work well for line-level audio but it is not speaker wire.

As several posters here have noted, when it comes to speaker wire the thicker the better especially for long runs.

But outdoor speakers are not generally for "critical" listening. So 14AWG or even 16AWG ought to suffice. If the wire you have lying around is at least 16AWG I would go ahead & use it. If it's thinner, buy some new 14AWG instaed. It's not expensive.

[EricG]

Look at www.partsexpress.com for Sound King Speaker Wire. I picked up the 12 gauge stuff.

[Steve Mehs]

I use RatShack 16g. I have 2 25' runs (rears) 2 6' runs (fronts) and 7' for the center channel. Stay away from Monster and those other premiums, you'll be paying way to much for the same thing you can get cheaper.