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#23354 - 05/18/04 06:12 PM 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
cbell2112 Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 31
Loc: Mt Pleasant, SC USA
Hey I'm building a house and have to decide on 12 gauge wire for surrounds in the next 2 days so I can get them to pull the wire. Should I just run out to Radio Shack or Best Buy and buy some or is there more I should know about this. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your input!

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#23355 - 05/18/04 06:33 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
bestbang4thebuck Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/20/03
Posts: 668
Loc: Maryland
Likely the wiring will need to meet "In Wall" electical code specifications, assuming you meant for these cables to be run in the walls, ceiling or flooring. Cable not designed to be In-Wall may still meet electical code In-Wall if it is run through the proper conduit. I suggest you check with someone who knows your local codes.

Assuming you are not looking for exotic cable, a home improvement store may have bulk reels for sale at a savings over cut wire.

[This message has been edited by bestbang4thebuck (edited May 18, 2004).]

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#23356 - 05/18/04 06:34 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
Jason J Offline
Desperado

Registered: 09/02/02
Posts: 615
Loc: Northern Garden State
There have been some posts online recently about Home Depot offering some decent 12 gauge electrical wire that is perfect for speaker wire. Here's an "Absolute Sound" review of the 14 gauge Home Depot wire:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter/147/cable_survey2.html

Otherwise, the regular stuff should do just fine.

Good luck!!

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#23357 - 05/19/04 03:20 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
cbell2112 Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 31
Loc: Mt Pleasant, SC USA
I was also wondering if 12 gauge is more overkill for surrounds. Can I just use 16 guage. I will be using the 770/950 combo with Axiom speakers.

For the in ceiling speakers which will be run off the last 2 channels of the 770(surround will only be 5.1) can I just run 16 gauge?

Thanks

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#23358 - 05/19/04 05:07 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
Wayne Charlton Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 203
.

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#23359 - 05/19/04 05:53 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
NEO Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 04/05/04
Posts: 35
Loc: Wichita KS USA
How long will the wire run be? Pushing 200 Watts from your 770 I would say with a run up to 10 ft you could go with 16 gauge OK, for a 15 to 20 ft. run 14 guage, and 20 to 30 ft needs to be 12 guage. This is for a maximum power drop of .5 db over the given length of wire. For less power the guage could be reduced. System damping factor (including the empidance of speaker wire) needs to come out to at least 20, but the higher the better, so I would err to the side of bigger wire if it were me.

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#23360 - 05/19/04 06:04 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
cbell2112 Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 31
Loc: Mt Pleasant, SC USA
OK 12 guage it is. How about my ceiling speakers in various rooms? We are talking pulls of 100+ ft for some of them. I got the guy running 16 guage. Usually they run 18 guage. I'm not going to be putting in real high caliber speakers in the other rooms.

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#23361 - 05/19/04 06:09 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
gonk Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/21/01
Posts: 14054
Loc: Memphis, TN USA
FWIW, I was looking at the manual for a Niles speaker distribution hub, and there they recommended 14ga for runs in excess of 80ft and 16ga for the shorter runs.

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[This message has been edited by gonk (edited May 19, 2004).]
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#23362 - 05/19/04 09:31 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
cbell2112 Offline
Gunslinger

Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 31
Loc: Mt Pleasant, SC USA
OK I think I'm clear on that particular subject. I'll be running the surrounds through the walls. Should I run the speaker wire for the sub and the 2 front speakers throught the wall as well or just connect them to the amp directly? My wife would like this all to be very clean looking.

Also, what other in wall wire runs should I make while I have a chance? Future use type of stuff.

Sorry for all the questions but the most of the wiring will be done tomorrow.

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#23363 - 05/19/04 10:23 PM Re: 12 Gauge Speaker Wire for surround
curegeorg Offline
Desperado

Registered: 11/15/03
Posts: 1012
Loc: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
you could run the front l/r through the walls, but i wouldnt if its not needed. sub i wouldnt either. center i wouldnt unless you have a pull down type screen for tv... there will be more .1s in the future, ceiling and floor would be the next logical progression rather than farther back.
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