Speaker wire gauge

[ABNJbassplayer]

I have an old empty Peavey 2-15 cabinet. Just bought new 15 inch speakers that i want to install. There is existing wire in the cabinet, but it's old. Not sure how old. If a want to replace it, what is the appropriate speaker wire to buy? Is there an appropriate gauge I should be using?

[will33]

Inside the cabinet 18 guage is enough, 16 would be ok too. There's really no point in going heavier until you get into long cable runs. Using heavier wire inside the cabinet can actually be worse, stressing things like speaker terminals, jack connections, etc.

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by will33

Inside the cabinet 18 guage is enough, 16 would be ok too. There's really no point in going heavier until you get into long cable runs. Using heavier wire inside the cabinet can actually be worse, stressing things like speaker terminals, jack connections, etc.

+1, feel free to use a run of 2 conductor electrical cord from your local hardware store, cheap and easy to work with.

[ABNJbassplayer]

Thanks! helps a lot.

[will33]

You can do it with a piece of cord off an old lamp or toaster or something, it's the same thing. Although using different colors helps keeping the +'s and -'s and series jumpers sorted out.

[babebambi]

kinda related question ...

putting two 18 gauge together (parallel) makes it what?
effectively a 16 gauge?

[MrDOS]

Originally Posted by babebambi

kinda related question ...

putting two 18 gauge together (parallel) makes it what?
effectively a 16 gauge?

It would be something closer to 15 gauge...

Here's a chart of Wire Gauge Resistance per foot:

Wire resistances Copper wire figures AWG Table Gauge Resistance per foot Current ratings Resistivities at room temp Typical current for mains wiring index back site search acronyms discussion mail to a friend post message

[babebambi]

Originally Posted by MrDOS

It would be something closer to 15 gauge...

Here's a chart of Wire Gauge Resistance per foot:

Wire resistances Copper wire figures AWG Table Gauge Resistance per foot Current ratings Resistivities at room temp Typical current for mains wiring index back site search acronyms discussion mail to a friend post message

great info, thx