Choosing The Right Speaker Wire

The sound quality of your audio system depends on a few factors. One of them is the speaker cable used. Even superior speakers will not sound at their best with poor cables. The problem is that speakers usually do not have speaker wires included. Buyers should select from available options, but the number of options out there can confuse anyone. To come up with the appropriate cables for speakers, you have to choose based on cable thickness and length.

Cable Thickness

Thickness of speaker wires is determined by the AWG or American Wire Gauge or simply “gauge.” Thick cables have low gauge and have greater efficiency in transmitting audio signals. Speaker cables in the market generally are available as 12-gauge, 14-gauge, and 16-gauge cables. There are several factors that determine which type of wire gauge to pick. These factors are the quality of your speakers and the kind of components you have. The sound quality you wish to experience is another important consideration. Of course, there is nothing more compelling than your budget.

Generally, the distance between your receiver and speaker determines the right cable thickness. Signal loses strength with distance due to resistance. Long wires have high resistance. The resistance can be reduced by choosing thick wires for long distances.
A thicker speaker cable is needed if you wish to have a high quality surround audio setup. If you want to experience that 5.1-channel surround sound so you could enjoy your movies and music even more, you need thicker cables. Thick cables are also necessary if speakers have to run long distances. Thick wires reduce chances of signal loss. As a result, thick wires offer better sound quality.

However, if you are on a budget and your speakers are close to the receiver, thin cables should do fine. Standard 16-gauge wires are fine for such purpose. The advantage of thin cables is their lower cost and ease of use.

Cable Length

The length of wire needed is another factor that influences buying decision. Some people do not know the length of cables to buy. This should be easy. You can get a measuring tape and run it from your receiver to your speakers. Make sure to run the tape along the intended cable path to come up with precise measurement. If you don’t have a measuring device, you can use a string. Add an allowance to the resulting measurement.
The length of cables to all your speakers should be the same so that all wires have the same resistance. Meaning, all cables shall input the same signal strength to the speakers. The result should be equal audio output from all speakers. In some cases, it may be inevitable for cables to vary in length. Variations of a few feet may be forgivable. To avoid such disparities in length of cables needed, place the speakers at equal distances from the receiver.

Quality

Aside from the gauge and length, the overall quality of the cable is another consideration. High quality cables have good construction and have high quality metals for better conductivity and signal transmission. Better wires also have superior shielding against interference. Hence, someone looking for the apt cables for their audio systems should also consider these properties.

By: Cedric Loiselle

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