Question about speaker wire

[Intercooler 10+ year member]

So just about to the point where my mounts will be here to finish putting up the other four 1000's and need to look into a spool of speaker wire. All runs will be about 25' or so. Doesn't it matter if it is oxygen free? Any certain size or flavor to be on the look-out for?//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blackeye.gif.66a1670f5aaf7f406e783a63e3387dc5.gif

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[BrianChia 10+ year member]

Oxygen free copper is the material of choice. Other than that, get as low gauge as possible.

Don't pay overinflated prices for Monster or other boutique cables because a majority of the price goes towards marketing. Just look for good thick insulation, real copper wires (not aluminum), and look for a stranded design that is flexible yet not so thin that the strands tend to break from twisting, connecting, and disconnecting from terminals.

I've used all kinds of wire for speakers- extension cord/power cable, lamp cord, zip cord, auto power cables, and most people will not be able to tell a difference as long as you use a low gauge to minimize any resistance. Try to get 14 AWG or thicker. I would personally use no thinner than 12 AWG for 25' runs and 10 AWG for 30' or longer, but that is probably overkill.

Blue Jeans Cable is a reliable no BS cable seller that sells 12AWG for $.38/ft and 10AWG for $.57/ft. They also sell RCA cables, component, HDMI, and others at unbeatable prices.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com

Home Depot will occasionally have some specials. I've seen RCA brand 12 AWG speaker wire (zip cord style with the clear insulation) for around $40 for a 100 ft. spool.

Automotive power cables can sometimes be found for real cheap too. I picked up some 14 AWG copper "primary wire" for and I think it was $8.99 for 50 ft. That is single wire only though. I use it for internal wiring on speakers.

If you have Cat-5 lying around you could also try something like this:

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/CAT5.html