Pro Audio Speaker Wire Gauge Guide

In the case of speaker wires you ll normally see choices of 12 gauge 14 gauge 16 gauge and 18 gauge with the smaller numbers thicker than the larger numbers.

Pro audio speaker wire gauge guide.

A loss of 3 db would mean that half the amplifier s power is being dissipated by the wire not the speaker. The only issue here is this cable tends to be hard to work with and terminate. 14 gauge speaker wire for example is thicker than 18 gauge and offers less than half the resistance to audio signals. Low impedance speaker system example.

That means 12 gauge 12awg speaker wire is much thicker than 18 gauge awg wire so if you re looking for the thickest wire you d want 12awg. Read our in wall wiring guide for more information. More than 0 5db 12 5 loss 12 gauge speaker cable would be required. Naturally thicker wire will cost more than thinner wire.

14 4 cable is another good choice that is easier to terminate and has an effective gauge of 11 awg. The configuration of the wires in the four wire twist will be positive negative positive and negative so the polarities alternate all the way around the four wire twist. Although subjected to debate and discussions audiophiles are convinced that speaker wire has an impact on the quality of the sound output in an audio system. The recommended speaker impedance ratings are usually listed above the speaker wire posts.

I personally run 10awg speaker cable for all of my audio systems in the audioholics showcase home. Image of the rear of a home stereo receiver amplifier. For headphones and short connections to active speakers essentially any cable will do as the power transfer is much lower. It shows some suggested wire gauges for different distances and different impedances.

If not you can follow the general rule of thumb that 12 or 14 gauge speaker wire is needed for long wire runs with low impedance speakers 4 or 6ω. Comparison of size watts and connectors read. It is most evident especially speaker wire gauge guide. Most speakers don t come with speaker wire.

Meanwhile 16 gauge wire is fine for runs under 50 feet to 8ω speakers. For in wall or ceiling speakers you ll need ul rated speaker wire labeled cl2 or cl3. Speaker wire is a vital part of any audio set up because it is used to connect your speakers to the audio amplifiers and tuners. When the sending voltage is increased the current in the speaker cable is lower while delivering the same power to the speaker.

The thickness of wire is measured in gauge often abbreviated as awg which stands american wire gauge and the lower the gauge the thicker the wire. Also attempting to wire two 8 ohm speakers in parallel to an 8 ohm stereo would have the same effect. Four wire 16 gage inwall cable will serve you well wire it as a star quad that means you use two wires positive and two wires negative. You can buy speaker wire with connectors or without.

The following information comes from jbl. It s up to you to select the right gauge thickness and type of wire for your system.