Gauge

Mike Kozak
Mike Kozak Posts: 931
edited April 2014 in The Clubhouse
Going to lowes to get speaker wire, is there a big difference between 14 gauge and 18 gauge wire in regards to sound quality for a typical application?
Post edited by Mike Kozak on
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited April 2014
    Go 14.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,066
    edited April 2014
    I know you probably just want to get er done this weekend, but I have found Lowes and HD are high on their audio/video stuff. Maybe try Monoprice online for 14 AWG wire first...
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  • Zentish
    Zentish Posts: 127
    edited April 2014
    Or 12!
    Receiver: ONKYO TX-NR929 7.1 AVR 130wpc
    Mains: 2x Polk RTA 8TL's
    Center: Polk CS245i
    Surrounds: 2x Klipsch RS-41ii (because they fit perfectly over the door and window)
    Rear Surr: 2x Polk M4a '90
    Subwoofer: Speakerlab DAS-SW dual-voice-coil 10" '88 30Hz-150Hz
    Subwoofer Amp: ONKYO A-8019 AMP '85 100wpc
    Display: Samsung 55" UNC55-8000 3D LED
    Console: Xbox360
    DVR: custom MythTV rig w/ 3 tuners OTA
    Zone2: 2x Polk M5b '87
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited April 2014
    I didn't know Lowes was a Audio Video retailer. I suggest going somewhere else for speaker wire. Radioshack has better quality wire if you need to go pick it up and no one else is around (seems to be more common). Or maybe look for a Best buy , they carry Audioquest in the Magnolia section. You can pick up some FLX 14-2 which is the best overall 14 gauge wire dollar for dollar period. I use it in my system with remarkable results. It's not even expensive , it's very underpriced for the value.

    18 gauge is a bit thin of a conductor for a home audio system. 16 gauge is the minimum I would suggest depending on speaker load (ohm) length , and amp power ( watts and current ).
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited April 2014
    I have some rat shack 14 ga flat wire I use for hooking up classic stuff(no 5 way post).
    I put pins on the amp/receiver side for those stupid 70's push connects. The best part is the
    wire rolls up very cleanly in a coil. Seems to work pretty well, too.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited April 2014
    It's not just the Gauge or Gage it's also the length. A short 16AWG is about the same as a long 12AWG.
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited April 2014
    here is my favorite.
    http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2816&seq=1&format=2
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited April 2014
    Just watch out for the copper plated aluminum wires with major brand labels (like RCA) sold in the big box stores.
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  • Jimbo18
    Jimbo18 Posts: 2,337
    edited April 2014
    OP, are you the Mike I bought my Monitor 7C's from a year or so ago? They still sound great, by the way. Seems like you were replacing them with some pretty nice, newer speakers.

    How much wire do you need? I have some that I can let you have but, depending on how much you need, it's either Monster or Monoprice stuff that I don't use any longer. PM me if you want.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2014
    PolkieMan wrote: »
    here is my favorite.
    http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2816&seq=1&format=2

    I second this
    Jake
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  • Mike Kozak
    Mike Kozak Posts: 931
    edited April 2014
    Jimbo18 wrote: »
    OP, are you the Mike I bought my Monitor 7C's from a year or so ago? They still sound great, by the way. Seems like you were replacing them with some pretty nice, newer speakers.

    How much wire do you need? I have some that I can let you have but, depending on how much you need, it's either Monster or Monoprice stuff that I don't use any longer. PM me if you want.

    Hey Jimbo, that would be great, I only need about 10-12 feet.
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,163
    edited April 2014
    PolkieMan wrote: »
    here is my favorite.
    http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2816&seq=1&format=2


    Works great for me too.
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