Wire Guage and more

sborras83
sborras83 Posts: 1
edited September 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
New to the HT arena. After listening to a couple of different speakers (Energy, Klipsch and Polk) and given my budget $1000. Decided to go with the following:

monitor 60 series 2 - Front
cs2 - Center
monitor 30 - surround
BIC F12 - Sub
Yamaha rx-v667 - receiver

Room dimensions are 20x16 opening to my kitchen.

Everything should arrive sometime this week. I already ordered 14awg wire from monoprice and then upon reading see that most of you recommend 12 guage. First noob question is will it make that much of a difference to me if I have 14 guage? I mean its only $30-40 so if it really makes that much difference I will get the 12. Second is since I am not using a 7.1 setup should I bother with bi-amping my m60's once I hook them up? or is this something that is not necessary.
Post edited by sborras83 on
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited August 2011
    The 14 awg is just fine unless you're making really long runs, and I wouldn't even bother with the Bi-wiring, just replace the brass jumpers with speaker wire, it sounds better.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited August 2011
    Bigger is better with inexpensive wire. As you said, the cost difference is negligible.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited August 2011
    your fine with that 14gauge unless you plan to run it like 70feet.
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 803
    edited August 2011
    I dont know if it is still on sale, but Parts Express had some 25 foot coils of 10 AWG speaker wire on sale for about $9 a roll. I used it and it sounded much better than the 16 AWG wire I purchased a Lowes.

    Only problem is that it is dificult to hide speaker wire that is 7/8" wide!
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • HTguru1982
    HTguru1982 Posts: 1,066
    edited August 2011
    newbie308 wrote: »
    I dont know if it is still on sale, but Parts Express had some 25 foot coils of 10 AWG speaker wire on sale for about $9 a roll. I used it and it sounded much better than the 16 AWG wire I purchased a Lowes.

    Only problem is that it is dificult to hide speaker wire that is 7/8" wide!

    Do you have a link? Only thing I could find for that price is a 50ft roll of 14ga wire. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=109-160
    Display: Sony 42" LCD
    Sources: Harman Kardon DVD-27,
    Panasonic DMP-BDT110 blu ray player
    AVR: Sony STR-DA2400ES
    Amps: Sonance Sonamp 260(fronts),
    Kenwood KM-894(surrounds)
    Fronts: NHT 2.5
    Center: NHT VS-1.2A
    Surrounds: NHT Super One
    Subwoofer: SVS PB10-ISD
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 803
    edited August 2011
    I just looked, and the wire was a special factory buyout. They no longer have any in stock! Sorry!
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • djperez81
    djperez81 Posts: 388
    edited August 2011
    You should be fine with the 14 guage, your really not going to be able to hear the difference between the 2. I wouldnt bother bi-amping either. If you have a few extra bucks get a decent sub cable.
    Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.
    -Jimi Hendrix
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    #9 reported for spam.
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited August 2011
    Good buys and good cable at monoprice....but they only go down to 12ga

    http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    We all know this forum is not for advertising b.s. and scams don't we? lol

    #10, REPORTED
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    dekuda wrote: »
    Good buys and good cable at monoprice....but they only go down to 12ga

    http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239

    I just got 16 pairs of their banana plugs and they rock! nice build quality and work really awesome! easy to use. only gripe is having to strip 12 gauge down so it'll go in, then you have to make sure it's the correct length or you have to keep trying... can be annoying, but they clean connections up nicely:biggrin:
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,635
    edited August 2011
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The guide prepared by Roger Russell is a good reference to use.


    You again? :rolleyes:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited August 2011
    Mr. Sharpe wrote: »
    We all know this forum is not for advertising b.s. and scams don't we? lol

    #10, REPORTED

    There is nothing wrong with helping members find good products at good prices. No BS or scam here. Maybe you should check out threads in the clubhouse where good online buys are advertised all the time........ report me all you want :rolleyes:
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    No, I reported a spam post. I didn't mean it to look like I reported you. I am sorry. it was something about Lighting and something else. I don't report a post unless it's worth reporting:)
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The guide prepared by Roger Russell is a good reference to use.

    http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable

    FORGET THAT! 10 gauge 8 feet away!
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited August 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    You again? :rolleyes:

    He's kinda like that chick you used to date in high school, the ugly one you were embarassed to be seen with, who keeps showing up when your with your new gorgous girlfriend.:tongue::biggrin:


    Just playin' with ya X....
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,635
    edited August 2011
    Like riding a moped? :tongue:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,818
    edited August 2011
    I have no idea what gauge my cables are and could care less. If gauge is what you're basing your decision on, you're already lost.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,495
    edited August 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    I have no idea what gauge my cables are and could care less. If gauge is what you're basing your decision on, you're already lost.

    You should read the AWG. It's worth the time.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,818
    edited August 2011
    Why? It's not going to tell me how it sounds.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited August 2011
    Everyone knows you MUST spend at least $800.00 for speaker cables to really hear your system !!!!!
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    I didn't know that. I do appreciate that though:biggrin:
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited August 2011
    Keiko wrote: »
    audioholics . com / education? Boy! That some snake oil in and of itself right there.

    crying.gif

    Why is it you feel that way? I read the site and found it quite informative. And most of it happens to be true.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,818
    edited August 2011
    And most of it happens to be true.

    Why is it you feel that way? Is it because you read it there and their mantra aligns with yours or it is from your own personal experiences?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    vroom vroom... chill mode.
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited August 2011
    How is it that every thread that haves something to do with cables ends up being a rant/rave with the question of validity for cables? ( I try to stay away from these threads,LOL). Getting back to the OP's question, I think if you are going to make some speaker runs why not get the lower guage? Looking at Monoprice, the differance in price is not much and it is OFC. Even if you can not tell the differance why take a chance especially on long runs.
    If you have tried upgrading cables and you do not notice a differance ,fine, sell them.
    If you never have tried you will never know. :wink:
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,818
    edited August 2011
    dekuda wrote: »
    How is it that every thread that haves something to do with cables ends up being a rant/rave with the question of validity for cables?

    Because they think they are going to save us from ourselves based on either a lack of experience or something they read.
    If you never have tried you will never know. :wink:

    Bingo!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,495
    edited August 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Why? It's not going to tell me how it sounds.

    Cool skip it then.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited August 2011
    Op, go to signalcable.com. Quality cables at a reasonable price.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
    edited August 2011
    thsmith wrote: »
    Op, go to signalcable.com. Quality cables at a reasonable price.

    Yes, they make pretty cables and they're not expensive what that quality.
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter