Speaker cable...how long is too long?

ClemmonsHoo

Right now I've got 8' cables, but my system is setup in a bad spot (on a chest o' drawers between the speakers. I know, I know, but I at least have it sitting on an isolation platform that works pretty well.

Knowing that I need a better location, I want to move my system to another wall, but keep the speakers where they are. That would mean running a cable around almost half the 11x12 room my rig is in. The farthest cable would be about 24' max with a little slack left over. Is this ok? Sorry if it's a dumb question.

Also, is there an easy way to get my wires under existing wall to wall carpet, some special device, or trick? I've never done that.

PolkThug

Use some 12/14awg wire and you'll be fine. Do you have baseboards at the bottom of the walls? Thats where I routed my wire.

okiepolkie

Take a look at this chart: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Skynut

I ran a real thin stick under my carpet, taped the wire to it, and pulled it back out to get my wire under the carpet.
You could also try a fish tape you can get in the electrical section at home depot.

ClemmonsHoo

I have baseboards, and I do not mind running them along there, but I have to cross a door opening.

Skynut

ClemmonsHoo wrote:

I have baseboards, and I do not mind running them along there, but I have to cross a door opening.

That is where the thin stick and tape comes into play.

P.HUNT

Skynut- Has the right Idea radio shack or monster both have flat speaker wire made to go under the carpet tape it to the fish tape dont let it twist and run it under the carpet. I have just done the same thing to get ready to install my Buttkickers!

Skynut

That kicks butt.

kingkip

If you have more than about 10' worth of under-carpet run fish tape sucks IMO. It has a tendency to spring back to curled and makes it tough to get under the carpet. A fiberglass rod works better.

Skynut

I bought a cheap chinese carpet installing tool from harbor freight for like $10.00. Now if I want to I just pull up the carpet, run the wire where it goes and put the carpet back on the nail boards.
The tool grips the carpet with spikes and I use my knee to stretch the carpet back.
I actually never really needed this because if the carpet has been down for years it can be lifted and reattached to the nail boards pretty easy.

Under doorways is a different story.

dorokusai

Skynut wrote:

I bought a cheap chinese carpet installing tool from harbor freight for like $10.00. Now if I want to I just pull up the carpet, run the wire where it goes and put the carpet back on the nail boards.
The tool grips the carpet with spikes and I use my knee to stretch the carpet back.
I actually never really needed this because if the carpet has been down for years it can be lifted and reattached to the nail boards pretty easy.

Under doorways is a different story.

It's a carpet kicker or knee kicker.

Skynut

It will move more carpet than I need. I end up with wrinkles if I am not carefull

zingo

As far as the length of the speaker cable, some time long runs have to be made and can't really be avoided, and that's ok. Just make your speaker wire as short as possible, and use something that conducts well, aka larger gauge.