noob ? re: speaker wire gauge

[Tecumseh]

Hey all,
Just in the process of finishing my basement and want to run speaker wire
through walls and joists.
What size of wire is best and are there actually different types?
I have 5T Psb speakers and the matching centre.
The A/V receiver will most likely be the 110W/channel Pioneer mid-range 914
model and there will be two in-walls in a room about 35 feet from the
source.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Take Care
Tec

[Robert Morein]

"Tecumseh" > wrote in message
...
> Hey all,
> Just in the process of finishing my basement and want to run speaker wire
> through walls and joists.
> What size of wire is best and are there actually different types?
> I have 5T Psb speakers and the matching centre.
> The A/V receiver will most likely be the 110W/channel Pioneer mid-range
914
> model and there will be two in-walls in a room about 35 feet from the
> source.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Take Care
> Tec
>
>
14 gauge is the most common choice when both quality and economy are a
consideration.
You have happened on a controversial topic; some would say 16 gauge is
adequate for 35 feet, while others prefer exotic solutions.

I suggest 14 gauge zipcord, of any brand you may happen across.

[Joseph Oberlander]

Tecumseh wrote:
> Hey all,
> Just in the process of finishing my basement and want to run speaker wire
> through walls and joists.
> What size of wire is best and are there actually different types?
> I have 5T Psb speakers and the matching centre.
> The A/V receiver will most likely be the 110W/channel Pioneer mid-range 914
> model and there will be two in-walls in a room about 35 feet from the
> source.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

35 ft means about 50-60 ft after running with the phone/tv, so
you'll need at least 12 or 14 gauge to keep losses to acceptable
levels.

[Arny Krueger]

"Tecumseh" > wrote in message


> Just in the process of finishing my basement and want to run speaker
> wire through walls and joists.
> What size of wire is best and are there actually different types?

The "one size fits all" speaker wire is 12 gauge stranded low voltage wire
sold by home improvment stores.

> I have 5T Psb speakers and the matching centre.
> The A/V receiver will most likely be the 110W/channel Pioneer
> mid-range 914 model and there will be two in-walls in a room about 35
> feet from the source.

I generally estimate wiring at twice the point-to-point distance, with
additional allowance if the route is obviously circuitous or goes up and
down walls a lot.

It's OK to use standard electrical staples to fasten the wire down where
needed. They are U-shaped/ Or, use the fasteners with their own pre-attached
nail. If you want a nice-looking job, terminate each end with wall plates
with dual binding posts or banana jacks.

[Ian S]

I'd use 14 gauge within your HT room and 12 gauge for the run to the second
room. There is no harm - unless your budget is extremely tight - in being
conservative and using the heavier 12 gauge throughout. The wire is unlikely
to be a significant cost in the overall project.

[[email protected]]

I always go one gauge heavier than I imagine it would really ever need,
plus there are more attractive and rugged options than the low voltage
stuff sold at Home Dopot. I am fond of heater cord but there are
several types of wire that are more appealing and longer-lived than the
plain PVC stuff. One good source for me has been the cord reels used
by vacuum cleaners, vac-sew stores stock replacements if you look
around or for smaller lengths you can raid garage sale dead vacs which
sometimes have nearly new cords or the vac stores throw out whole cord
lengths because the molded plug is bad. Older vacs had a very tough
cloth covered cord that is washable, if you scrap the first and last
six inches where water may propagate into the insulated wire ends, Of
course several days' drying is mandatory.

[Tecumseh]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I always go one gauge heavier than I imagine it would really ever need,
> plus there are more attractive and rugged options than the low voltage
> stuff sold at Home Dopot. I am fond of heater cord but there are
> several types of wire that are more appealing and longer-lived than the
> plain PVC stuff. One good source for me has been the cord reels used
> by vacuum cleaners, vac-sew stores stock replacements if you look
> around or for smaller lengths you can raid garage sale dead vacs which
> sometimes have nearly new cords or the vac stores throw out whole cord
> lengths because the molded plug is bad. Older vacs had a very tough
> cloth covered cord that is washable, if you scrap the first and last
> six inches where water may propagate into the insulated wire ends, Of
> course several days' drying is mandatory.
>


Thanks all....
Even you CALCERISE ;-)
Very much appreciated
Take Care
Tec