Speaker Wire...help sorting thru the junk

Polk12
Polk12 Posts: 11
edited August 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I am looking for 12 AWG speaker wire and not sure what to buy...I looked at some of the other speaker wire posts and I checked out monoprice.com based on others comments. My speakers are the entry level RM10 and PSW10 sub. No receiver yet..but is this link to speaker wire on monoprice.com junk or not?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2747&seq=1&format=2

Thanks for your input...also any recommendations on banana plugs, where to buy and how much to spend?
Post edited by Polk12 on
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,932
    edited July 2009
    I really like these bananas, and they are fairly inexpensive. They use a gold plate over a copper base metal.
    eKs BFA Banana Plugs
    http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=Connectors#

    This Belden 5000 series is pretty good speaker cable for .64 - .68 cents a foot (depending on outer jacket color). It's got nice beefy copper strands instead of the 250-500 ct you get in most of that clear PVC wrapped stuff, and it looks a little classier.
    Belden 5000 series
    http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

    If I was going to use Monoprice cable, I'd use this one. The 'in-wall' label just means it'll pass code for in-wall installation.
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2816&seq=1&format=2
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,563
    edited July 2009
    You do not need 12g wire for those speakers. Use Beldon, Liberty or any custom high quality speaker cable and call it a day.

    I suggest 16-2 or at best 14-2. It's all you need,

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Polk12
    Polk12 Posts: 11
    edited July 2009
    mantis wrote: »
    You do not need 12g wire for those speakers. Use Beldon, Liberty or any custom high quality speaker cable and call it a day.

    I suggest 16-2 or at best 14-2. It's all you need,

    Dan

    Good to know. Am I right that it wouldn't hurt to use 12g wire? To have it in place just incase I upgrade my speakers in the future?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,260
    edited July 2009
    it won't hurt.
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  • MHAMBONE
    MHAMBONE Posts: 51
    edited July 2009
    Say I have a 7.1 receiver. I have some old 12 ga monster cable for the main speakers. Does it matter if I was to use 14 or 16 ga for the satelites and center? Or, should I have the same gauge on all speakers?
    Mike

    Pioneer SC-05 Receiver
    Polk SDA-2b
    Polk RTA 11TL w/RDO-198's
    Polk RT25i Satelite Speakers
    Polk CS 400 Center Speaker
    Polk PSW 350 Sub Woofer
    Samsung 46" 1080p LCD TV
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,932
    edited July 2009
    If the distances are reasonably short, like in most home theater environments, it won't matter. I've got a 5.1 setup with all in-wall RT85's and I'm running 16 to the front and center, and 14 to the rear.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,932
    edited July 2009
    duplicate post...........
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,563
    edited July 2009
    Polk12 wrote: »
    Good to know. Am I right that it wouldn't hurt to use 12g wire? To have it in place just incase I upgrade my speakers in the future?

    It wouldn't hurt but it's totally unnecessary. 14g wire can run any speaker no matter how high end they are as long as the runs are shorter then 50 feet. Once the runs get over 50 feet then I would suggest a heavier gauge.
    This is exactly what you need for today and into the future.

    http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Jfum1Ouwoam/p_70314260/AudioQuest-FLX-14-2-14-Gauge-In-Wall-Speaker-Cable-60-feet.html

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Polk12
    Polk12 Posts: 11
    edited July 2009
    Mantis, Thanks for the info...I will be purchasing your recommendation this weekend!! got a good site to buy banana plugs?
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,932
    edited July 2009
    That's basically no different than the Monoprice 14AWG CL2 rated cable which is just $12 for 50ft. In fact, it's probably the same wire in a different jacket, but it's your money.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited July 2009
    canare 4S11 is a good wire.Its 14ga quad so double the runs and that makes it 11 ga.It can be found for 1.19/ft.Great value for a good speaker cable.You may be able to find it a little cheaper but here is a link>>>http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/product_view.cgi?products_id=535
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
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  • potee
    potee Posts: 610
    edited July 2009
    Lasareath wrote: »
    Welcome to Club Polk!!!

    Here's my next speakers cables, maybe you should try them.

    http://www.mitcables.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&Itemid=29&category_id=419&product_id=541

    I just viewed your web site. Awesome job on those speakers I envy you as I can just imagine the time and patients it took. KUDOS.
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  • Klipsch_Fan
    Klipsch_Fan Posts: 26
    edited August 2009
    Sure buy it, or something equivalent in price. You don't need fancy expensive speaker wire. Maybe if Your hooked up to some electronic gear that measures whatever it measures, lol. I'm not an electronics guy, but You ears won't know the difference. Many a test has been done in the past, and well......no comment. :rolleyes:

    Fred
    _______________________
    Klipsch "A Legend in Sound" :)
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,563
    edited August 2009
    dragon1952 wrote: »
    That's basically no different than the Monoprice 14AWG CL2 rated cable which is just $12 for 50ft. In fact, it's probably the same wire in a different jacket, but it's your money.

    Careful posing comments like this , there is some truth to this and a lot of which is not true. I'm not going to get into it but not all 14g in wall rated wire performs the same. I have ran miles of it to just about every kind of speaker made, there is a difference.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,563
    edited August 2009
    Polk12 wrote: »
    Mantis, Thanks for the info...I will be purchasing your recommendation this weekend!! got a good site to buy banana plugs?

    I really like Audioquest banana plugs. They are like a sleeve style or gator style. They hold in but don't make you work to get them out like Monster cables type design.

    You can buy them anywhere. But here is a link to a site I would buy from.http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQCFBFA. You don't need to buy these but I switch out my wires so much it makes sense for me to own them. They are re useable. They make a crimp on version thats a bit cheaper but it's one and done.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,121
    edited August 2009
    mantis wrote: »
    Careful posing comments like this , there is some truth to this and a lot of which is not true. I'm not going to get into it but not all 14g in wall rated wire performs the same. I have ran miles of it to just about every kind of speaker made, there is a difference.

    Dan


    Dan,

    I used this in my system -
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=4037&seq=1&format=2

    I have the fronts bi-amped with it ( 2 conductors for the highs and 2 for the lows - running to the Sunfire 405 X 5) . What is your opinion on this?? Good or bad??

    Anyone else use it??
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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