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When you’re setting up your home theater or audio system, one of the most important decisions is choosing the speaker wires.
There are a lot of different options available and it can be overwhelming. The good news is that as long as you understand your needs, it’s not that complicated. There are some simple tips that can help you pick the right speaker wires for your setup.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about speaker wires and how to choose the right one for your setup.
Let’s get started!
Speaker Wire Types
There are two basic types of speaker wires, copper and aluminum. The choice of material will depend on the length of the wire and the amount of power it has to carry.
Copper speaker wires are the industry standard. They are more expensive than aluminum speaker wires, but they are better for longer distances. Copper speaker wires are better at carrying power over longer distances.
Aluminum speaker wires are suitable for shorter distances because they have less capacity for carrying power. If your system is going to be under 30 feet, aluminum speaker wires are a good option.
Speaker Wire Gauge
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing speaker wires is the speaker wire gauge. The gauge will determine how much power the wire can carry. The larger the gauge, the more power the wire can carry.
Speaker wire gauge is often expressed in AWG numbers. The lower the number, the thicker the wire is. Thicker wires can carry more power and provide better sound quality. The thicker the speaker wire, the better the sound quality.
However, it’s important to note that the speaker wire gauge is only relevant when the wire is being used with low-impedance speakers. Speakers that have a higher impedance rating (typically above 8 ohms) can work with thicker wires. In this case, the speaker wire gauge is less important for sound quality.
If your speakers are low-impedance and you’re using thinner wires, the sound quality will be affected. This is because thinner wires can’t carry enough power to the speakers.
Speaker Cable Length and Quality
Another important factor to consider when choosing speaker wires is the length.
The longer the wire, the thicker it has to be to carry power efficiently. Speaker cables shorter than 12 feet can be rated as “in-wall,” which means they can be run inside the wall. Longer speaker wires can be rated as “outdoor,” which means they have to be run outside the wall.
Outdoor speaker wires are usually thicker and more expensive than indoor speaker wires. However, they’re also better at protecting against outside interference like the weather. Make sure your speaker wires are rated for outdoor use if you’re planning to run them outside the wall. Otherwise, they can be damaged by sun, rain, and humidity.
If you’re not sure which speaker wires to use, it’s best to talk to a professional. An audio expert will be able to help you pick the right speaker wires for your sound system.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right speaker wires for your sound system is crucial to getting the best sound quality possible. Fortunately, it’s not that complicated. The most important thing is to understand your needs and consider the factors listed above. Once you do that, you’ll be able to pick the right wires easily to get the best sound quality.
