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Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
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Author:  jamkaraoke [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
The bar I host at every Saturdays has closed for this week to go under some renovations.   So I was instructed to take all my equipment home.  
I should be back in action this Saturday but this break gave me an idea to replace some speaker wires when I do set up and leave my powered mix and speakers set up ( I share the Amp/Speakers with a DJ that works there also --it just saves a lot of hassel setting up and tearing down)  NOW to the question

I would like to run a new cable from the powered mixer to the speakers.
I would estimate less than 20 total feet as I will run the cable along the wall to the speaker.   The cable that was there was the DJ's and I would guess a 16ga cable as it appeared to be THINNER than the 14 or 12ga cable I'm familiar with.  The cable seemed to work fine with no problems  but in replacing it should I get a heavier 14ga cable ???- Since it is no more tha a 20ft run will there be any beneift?

The pros of the lighter cable are ...its LIGHTER and less expensive ( not that the extra $15 for the heavier cable will break the bank )  Another pro is it easier to work with since it is thinner and lighter.  I always understood that a heavier cable would be BETTER over longer lengths ...but 20ft  I'm not sure it is required. :talk:  :thinkin:
Author:  Lonman [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
For a 20' run a 14 guage cable should be fine.  If you can find a 12 guage for the same price, i'd go with 12 personally, but 14 should do fine.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
It will all work -- assuming you don't have some insane amount of power --  it is just a question of how much power you can afford to drop over the cable run.  It all depends on the power you are running, and the impedance of your load.

If the load is 8 ohms, 16 gauge will work fine up to 40 feet or so. You will lose only 4% of your power.

If your load is 4 ohms, then 40 feet of 16g wire loses about 8% of your power. Probably more than you want, but if you are in a small room it may be acceptable.

Contrast that with 14g wire, which drops 5% at 4 ohms over 49 feet. 13g is what I use, and it drops 4.3% in the same situation.

There are cable loss charts like the one I am looking at out there if you look.
Author:  Dennisgb [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
It really depends on how much power (watts) is going through the cable and the load resistance. If the load is 8 ohms at 100 watts, and your only running 20 feet, probably not a problem.

If however, your running 1000 watts at 4 ohms, you start to push the amperage rating of 16 gauge wire, to the point where it could be a problem.

As the resistance of the load decreases, loss increases. i.e; 8 ohms at 100 watts 20 feet on 16 gauge = 96.1 watts at the speaker

4 ohms at 100 watts 20 feet on 16 gauge = 92.4 watts at the speaker
2 ohms at 100 watts 20 feet on 16 gauge = 85.7 watts at the speaker

The amp draw also goes up as the resistance goes down.

It's always better to go with larger wire if you can afford it. Reduces losses, and you can use it in more places.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
good questions ... :shock:
I'm runninng 1 side of the powerd mixer ( 8ohms) to 1 (8ohm) speaker and daisy chained to another ( 8ohm)-........ so whats that 4ohms ?  but it is still 8ohms from the powered mixer ?  

I have 1 short cable that connects speaker A to Speaker B
Author:  Lonman [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
jamkaraoke @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:45 pm wrote:
good questions ... :shock:
I'm runninng 1 side of the powerd mixer ( 8ohms) to 1 (8ohm) speaker and daisy chained to another ( 8ohm)-........ so whats that 4ohms ?  but it is still 8ohms from the powered mixer ?  

I have 1 short cable that connects speaker A to Speaker B
Once you connect the second speaker be it daisy chained or piggy backed from the amp, the load becomes 4 ohms.
Author:  sidewinder [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
Biggest wire you can get won't hurt.  Can only help.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
jamkaraoke @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:45 pm wrote:
good questions ... :shock:
I'm runninng 1 side of the powerd mixer ( 8ohms) to 1 (8ohm) speaker and daisy chained to another ( 8ohm)-........ so whats that 4ohms ?  but it is still 8ohms from the powered mixer ?  

I have 1 short cable that connects speaker A to Speaker B

Then that is a four-ohm load. I recommend 14 gauge or better, 12 or 13 gauge if you are pushing more than 1000 watts.
Author:  sidewinder [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Speaker Cable 12/14/16 gauge
12 gauge can handle longer runs.   Not every bar is 15' wide.  I play one that has the speakers set 40 feet apart.
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