Speaker Wires

[l008com]

I'm stockpiling everything I need to install a stereo in my boat this spring. One thing I don't have yet is speaker wires. How can I determine what gauge wire I need? Also, do I need to use wire that is deemed "speaker" wire? I know there is a difference between marine grade cable and regular cable, is there such a thing as marine grade speaker cable?

I ordered a 100' spool of 14 gauge two connector marine grade cabling last year. And I have lots of leftover. Can I use that? Will it sound ok, or do I need "cleaner" copper? The stereo puts out 40 watts peak per channel.

Also, anything else I should know about wiring speakers in a boat? I already planned on running the speaker cables under the left side of the boat (all of the power cables are under the right side) to avoid any possible interference.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Speaker Wires

Can I use that? Will it sound ok, or do I need "cleaner" copper? The stereo puts out 40 watts peak per channel.

You can use pretty much anything you want. There is no such thing as "cleaner" copper, no matter what the hype people say about "monster cable", and even if there was, you could never tell the difference in a boat.

14 gauge is plenty. You are only looking at a couple amps max with 40W into 8 ohms.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Speaker Wires

Yeah, what he said!

You, nor anyone else, will ever hear the difference on a boat. (Especially at 40 watts peak!) Modern radios are shielded from most interference (imagine the electrical loads in a car versus your boat) however, good call on running wires on opposite side.

 

[l008com]

Re: Speaker Wires

Hmmm I posted a reply but it seems to have disappeared.
What I said was, I know monster cables are BS but, marine cables are tinned to resist corrosion. Doesn't that increase resistance?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Speaker Wires

Doesn't that increase resistance?

Not enough for it to matter. The resistance would really only matter at the connections. And get rid of any notion of "skin effects" out of your head. That is the hype that Monster Cable is trying to sell.