Which speaker wire to use...

Grimster74

I'll finally be getting around to putting my new speakers in my Toyota Tacoma this weekend. Any recommendations on which speaker wire I should use. I'll be putting a pair of Polk Audio, MMC6500 components in the front doors and a pair of Polk MMC570 5"x7" in the rear doors. I purchased the Polks last week but I've only opened the boxes to make sure all the speakers were in them so I have no idea if Polk sends extra speaker wire or not. To be completely honest with you, not even sure where I'm going to mount the crossovers yet. So, I need recommendations on what speaker wire to use if any and some good suggestions on where to place the crossovers. Thanks.

bknauss

Cheap 12 guage or 14 guage. Home Depot generally has it where the large thing of spools of wire are.

MacLeod

Radio Shack has 50' of 14 guage flat wire for $20.

Generally, speaker wire is speaker wire. The main thing is to use a thick guage.

RCA's are a different story. My philosophy is to buy the most expensive set you can afford. A $80 set will be a lot better than a $20 set.

exalted512

stay away from Monster speaker wire
I use RF wire and am very happy with it...great insulation...never had a problem with it
all my speaker wire for my next system will be from www.knukonceptz.com
speaker wire is speaker wire...speaker wire insulation is usually the deciding factor...monster wire insulation sucks ****
generally though...whatever Wal-Mart has usually does the job
-Cody

LittleCar_w/12s

Yeah, RF wire is great, but their RCA wires are shoddy. Very weak, I had one break and I disected it... it was some really cheap construction.
-Jerry

MacLeod

I usually stick with Tsunami or Streetwires for RCA's (even though Im temporarily running Monster right now). Stinger are also good.

exalted512

I run 2 pairs of RF rca's and havent had a problem with either
one is a pretty **** pair...but they sound great
the other is their TOTL matrix gamma and havent had any problems with it either
-Cody

Grimster74

Okay, next quick question. How well would the Polk MOMO C400.4 drive just the current speakers I've listed. I was going to purchase Alpine amplifiers but decided to hold off on the amps. I figured if I'm going to go threw all the trouble to install the new speakers this weekend I may as well purchase the amp and do it all at the same time. Thanks in advance.

exalted512

id get a single 300.2 and leave the rears running off the deck
-Cody

Grimster74

Another thing I forgot to mention was, I WILL NOT be putting any subwoofers behind the rear seats probally until sometime next year. So, if I will be only running front and rear doors, do I purchase a 4-channel amp. for all the doors, a 2-channel amp. for fronts and run the rears off the head unit, or do I just run all the doors off the head unit until I know exactly what I'm going to do as far as the subs go. In case some don't know, I'm running the Alpine CDA-9835 w/ V-Drive, 26 watts RMS/ 60 peak x 4 channels.

neomagus00

id run the fronts off a 2-channel and the rears off the deck - but that's just personal choice. if you prefer a more enveloping experience, or even the flexibility to try it out, go 4 channel.

wiring: as said, go with the best rca's you can buy, and speaker wire doesn't really matter. i use 14 gauge American Bass wiring, cause it's flexible and well-insulated, and Stinger Expert RCA's.

MacLeod

I always recommend against running anything off the deck. The only thing the deck is good for running is the power antenae.

Get the 4 channel. It will sound better and offer more flexibility in fine tuning.

For $500 though I would go with JL Audios 300/4. A much better amp.

MTXMAN

hell, for $500 i'd run the rear's off of the deck and get the US Amps TU-4360 running 75x4 biamping the components. (and yes you can get it for that price from an authorized dealer... www.speedsound.com) if you still go with one of the other amps i'd still get a 4ch so you can bi-amp the fronts either now or when you get the subs and need less rear fill...


crap.. with as much as i praise US Amps they should be givin me a discount

MacLeod

I agree with MTXMAN on the bi-amping.

Bi-amping will ALWAYS offer better sound quality.

Actually if it were me Id dump the rear speakers altogether and run only the Momos up front.