Page 1 of Anyone know about speaker cabling?

I need to extend the speaker cabling on my surround system (for the rear speakers), and the manual kindly informs me that I need 20AWG cabling. After a quick Google search I`ve discovered this is the gauge measurement, and 20 AWG = 0.5 mm2.

I can only really find 16AWG cabling out there to buy (16 AWG = 1.5 mm2). Will this work on my system, and will it damage the speakers/system? It says in the manual that using something different could cause damage. Would it?

Thanks!

Jme

There is no risk of damage by using a lower AWG cable but the sound purists will say you risk losing audio quality particularly if it is also not oxygen free. Frankly, I have never worried about using lower AWG speaker wire for surround loudspeaker extension purposes as the sound quality is less demanding than the front channels.

Lower AWG equates to greater cross-sectional area therefore lower impedance.

16AWG will be better than 20AWG, but you probably won`t notice.

Thanks for the advice.

I`m needing to replace one of the rear speakers with a longer cable. As my current cables are 20AWG, and the one I`m looking at buying is 16AWG, will this cause a problem (technically or audibly)? Would it be best to purchase a pair of the cables, and us them instead.

Incidentally, these are the ones I`m considering - do you think they`d be ok?: www.kenable.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/1363?osCsid=2e49fa51c2bdc341c39a2afba2b50185

Thanks! Jme

This item was edited on Thursday, 6th September 2007, 13:57

Ideally you should match cable runs with same cable type & length.




I consider myself an optimist, albeit an optimist with cynical tendencies and a dark side that Lucifer himself would find a little creepy. (Perhaps you've noticed.) You don't normally associate cynicism with an upbeat pov. But I have exactly that combination and will defend it.

I hate answering the phone at work - It disturbs my sleep.