Speaker wire strand count

[Chris]

I'm thinking of buying some 12 gauge speaker wire & was hoping someone
could tell me if the strand count is important. The info is as
follows:

0.20mm*65C*2F

(65 strand, not 259 strand)

PVC jacket: 4.0*8.0mm

I have no idea what any of this means. Is the 65 strand count
detrimental? I would think there'd be less resistance because there's
less surface area, although the wire would be stiffer.
It costs $17.99 Cad. for 50ft.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Sofie]

Chris:
Nothing to be concerned about....... either will work just fine.
By the way..... unless you are using a 1000 watt amp driving speakers
located over a long distance.... say 100 feet or more..... 12 gauge is
over-kill, big and hard to handle, inflexible, and the ends will not fit
into standard speaker terminals without pin adaptors or pigtails.
Usually 16-2 zip cord will work just fine... available at any hardware
store. I have also been able to find 14-2 zip cord that is used for
outdoor low-voltage lighting..... works great..... and who cares about all
the hype about the strand count or whether or not it is Oxygen free copper,
or double bi-radial wound, braided, special dielectric etc, etc...... we
are just running speakers here.

 

[Chris]

Chris:
Nothing to be concerned about....... either will work just fine.
By the way..... unless you are using a 1000 watt amp driving speakers
located over a long distance.... say 100 feet or more..... 12 gauge is
over-kill, big and hard to handle, inflexible, and the ends will not fit
into standard speaker terminals without pin adaptors or pigtails.
Usually 16-2 zip cord will work just fine... available at any hardware
store. I have also been able to find 14-2 zip cord that is used for
outdoor low-voltage lighting..... works great..... and who cares about all
the hype about the strand count or whether or not it is Oxygen free copper,
or double bi-radial wound, braided, special dielectric etc, etc...... we
are just running speakers here.

Thanks. I'll check th Home Depot. I've got a Harman Kardon AVR325
(50W x 7 & binding post terminals) & I have to run the surround
speaker wires around the room, so the run is about 40-50ft.

Chris

 

[Bruce Rowen]

You can save a few bucks by buying 50 or 100 foot extension cords
at the discount stores. Look for the cords that use the 12 gauge zip
cord and
have the "triple" outlet blob at the end. I have found these to be the
cheapest
per foot compared to the bulk zip cord wire. Compare prices before you
buy.

-Bruce

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

Chris:
Nothing to be concerned about....... either will work just fine.
By the way..... unless you are using a 1000 watt amp driving speakers
located over a long distance.... say 100 feet or more..... 12 gauge is
over-kill, big and hard to handle, inflexible, and the ends will not fit
into standard speaker terminals without pin adaptors or pigtails.
Usually 16-2 zip cord will work just fine... available at any hardware
store. I have also been able to find 14-2 zip cord that is used for
outdoor low-voltage lighting..... works great..... and who cares about all
the hype about the strand count or whether or not it is Oxygen free copper,
or double bi-radial wound, braided, special dielectric etc, etc...... we
are just running speakers here.

Uck..... Now you've opened a can of worms.

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[Bill Janssen]

The higher strand count will be more flexible, and probably more expensive.

Bill K7NOM

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

I like the higher strand counts because there is more probability of one of
those strands finding its way to where it does not belong and resulting in
another need for amplifier repair. Doesn't everyone know that Monster Cable
is just a NESDA project?



Leonard Caillouet

 

[Asimov]

"Leonard Caillouet" bravely wrote to "All" (03 Dec 03 07:46:51)
--- on the heady topic of "Re: Speaker wire strand count"

You're such a cynic! But it's quite true as it happened to me this week.
It resulted in fireworks when a fine strand found its way across the ac
line. The equipment fuse didn't even blow but one could clearly see the
charred remains of the explosion.


LC> Reply-To: "Leonard Caillouet" <[email protected]>

LC> I like the higher strand counts because there is more probability of
LC> one of those strands finding its way to where it does not belong and
LC> resulting in another need for amplifier repair. Doesn't everyone know
LC> that Monster Cable is just a NESDA project?

.... Resistance Is Futile! (If < 1 ohm)