Buyer's Guide
If you have ever tried to get a good quality speaker cable, then you probably found yourself frustrated by the lack of options available. The truth is, there are only two main types of speaker wires - copper and aluminum. And while both are great choices, they each have their own pros and cons. This article will help you decide which type of speaker wire is best for your application.
It is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. The American Wire Gauge Association defines twelve-gauge wire as having an outside diameter of 6 millimeters. Twelve-gauge wire has been around for many years and was originally developed for telephone lines. Today, however, twelve-gauge speaker wire is still widely used for connecting speakers to amplifiers and subwoofers.
If your vehicle's radio or CD player suddenly sounds different after replacing the battery, there may be several reasons why this could happen. One reason might be that the new battery isn't providing enough power to operate all of the components in your car stereo system. Another possibility is that the wires inside your car stereo system were damaged during installation. If you suspect that these issues are causing your problem, contact a professional installer at Skar Audio today!
When it comes to speakers, most people think of using only one type of wire. But, this isn't true. While it's true that most speakers use standard speaker wires, there are other types of speaker wire that offer benefits over others. Here are three reasons why you should consider using these types of speaker wire.
Most people assume that thicker wire sounds better. However, this isn't necessarily true. Some types of speaker wire are designed specifically to deliver superior sound quality. These types of speaker wire are made from materials such as copper or silver plated steel. Because they conduct electricity better, they allow the current to flow through the wire faster. As a result, they produce clearer, crisper sound.
Many people believe that thicker wire costs more. In fact, thinner wire can actually cost less. When you compare prices, you'll see that thin wire is cheaper than thick wire. This is because thinner wire has fewer strands per foot. Therefore, it requires less material to create the same length of wire.
Thin wire is also flexible. This makes it ideal for connecting multiple items. Since it doesn't take up as much space, you can easily connect several devices to each other. This allows you to move around your home while still maintaining a clean look.
If you want to enjoy music through your home stereo system, then you'll need to have a decent set of speakers installed. You may already have a pair of speakers in place, but if they aren't working properly, it could be because they were poorly wired. A bad connection between the power source and the speakers can ruin your listening experience. This is where a quality 12 gauge speaker wire comes in handy. Read on to learn about how to purchase a quality 12 gauge speaker wire.
Look for a product that meets industry standards. When selecting a speaker wire, it's best to buy one that meets ANSI/TIA standard C62. This ensures that the wire is safe for use with electrical devices such as stereos and televisions. If you plan to install the wire inside walls, it should meet UL 60950 safety requirements. Finally, look for a product that is manufactured by a reputable company. Companies like Skar Audio offer products that are built to last. They also provide excellent customer service so that you can rest assured that you've bought a quality product.
Be careful when buying a speaker wire. There are many different types available. Make sure that you understand the difference between them before making a purchase.
A common mistake people make when purchasing speaker wire is to go with the cheapest option. While cheap speaker wires might work fine for short distances, they won't perform as well as those that cost more. Cheap speaker wire tends to break easily. This means that you'll have to replace it sooner rather than later. Investing in a higher priced wire will save you money in the long run.
Make sure that you read the instructions included with the wire. These will tell you exactly how to connect the wire to the device. For example, most wires come with a plug adapter that allows you to connect to any type of wall outlet. Other wires include adapters that allow you to connect to other types of outlets, including ceiling fans.
Speaker wire isn't just used for connecting speakers. It can also be used to connect lights, appliances, and even security systems.
Size matters. The larger the diameter of the wire, the more current it can carry. This means bigger wires mean less chance of overheating and shorter runs. However, smaller wires are easier to work with and they tend to cost less than their larger counterparts.
Plastic insulation. Plastic insulation makes the wire stronger and prevents it from being damaged during installation. But plastic insulation isn't always necessary. Some manufacturers recommend using copper instead of plastic insulation if there's no reason to protect the wire.
Flexibility. Flexible wire allows you to bend it into tight spaces. And this flexibility lets you install it where other types of wire wouldn't fit.
Low price. Wire made from aluminum costs less than its steel counterpart. And since aluminum has fewer electrons, it doesn't conduct electricity as well. That means you can run longer distances with less voltage drop.
Twist ties. Twist ties allow you to easily connect multiple lengths of wire together. They're inexpensive and easy to use. Plus, they prevent the wire from tangling.
Easy to cut. Most twist ties come pre-cut. This saves time and effort. Just pull off the ends of the tie and then push them through the hole in the end of each piece of wire.
Versatile. Many speakers use a variety of sizes of wire. For example, many speakers use 16 gauge wire for low frequencies and 18 gauge wire for higher frequencies.
Wire gauges. There are several different gauges of wire available. These range from 14 to 22 gauge. Each gauge represents a specific number of strands of metal inside the wire. Higher numbers indicate thicker wire.
The right length. The length of wire you select depends on how far away the speaker is located. Longer wires are needed for closer speakers. Short wires are used for farther speakers.
Color coding. Color coding indicates the type of wire. Red is most commonly used for power lines. Black is typically reserved for speaker wires.
12 gauge speaker wire is commonly referred to as "twelve guage" due to its thickness. It is widely used by professional installers because it is strong enough to handle heavy loads without breaking. It is also flexible and durable. When choosing a speaker wire, it's important to consider what kind of speakers you plan to use. For example, if you're planning to run two sets of speakers off a single set of wires, you'll need to choose a heavier gauge wire.
Twisted Pair Wire. Twisted pair wire consists of two insulated copper conductors twisted together. This allows the wire to move freely through small spaces. Twisted pair wire is the most versatile type of speaker wire and is suitable for almost any application. It is also the cheapest type of speaker wire.
Solid Core Speaker Wire. Solid core speaker wire is made up of multiple strands of conductor wrapped tightly together. This makes it stronger than twisted pair wire. Because of its strength, solid core wire is primarily used for running long distances between amplifiers and speakers.
Coaxial Cable. Coaxial cable is a special type of shielded speaker wire that uses a central conductor surrounded by a shield. This protects against interference from outside electrical noise. Coaxial cable is mainly used for connecting equipment located near each other.
FAQs
12 gauge speaker wire is commonly referred to as "spade" wire. It has two strands of copper wires twisted together to create a single conductor.
14 gauge speaker wire is thicker than 12 gauge speaker wire. It's designed to carry more current at lower voltages.
If you're unsure how much current your speakers require, you can measure it with a multimeter.
Stranded speaker wire is better suited for higher-powered amplifiers. Solid speaker wire will handle less power.
Thicker wire means greater resistance. Thinner wire means less resistance. You don't need to worry about this too much though.
If you're using a stereo receiver, you'll probably want to use RCA plugs. If you're using a mono amplifier, you'll want to use banana jacks.
Grounding is important for safety. When you connect your speaker wires to your amplifier, make sure they're connected to something metal like a chassis or a floor.
To check your speaker wires, simply touch each end of the wire to a good electrical source. If the ends light up, then everything is working properly.
Male connectors have prongs that insert into holes in the device. Female connectors have slots that receive the prongs.
Straight plugs go directly into outlets without having to twist anything. Angled plugs bend slightly to reach their destination.
