Speaker wire size for 3k Rms

[AudioMan4Life]

Im currently running 12ga ofc to my subs running just over 2k daily with amp wired at 1ohm I have had zero issues. ..im going up to 3k Rms on the subs its a really short run about 4' total between the subs and back to the amp...my question is do I need bigger wire on the subs than 12ga for 3k rms?

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[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Not sure if its necessary, but I would run bigger. Why not? Use some 8 gauge if you've got it laying around.

 

[AudioMan4Life]

I do have some 8ga I just dont know if 12ga will hold anything back at 3k

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

12awg is just fine..

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I like 8 gauge cuz it looks cooler. Youll be chasing tenths on the meter going from 12 gauge ofc to 8 gauge. Not gonna be noticeable by ear though.

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

how many amps is your amplifier pushing to your subs?? Yes AMPS, you need to clamp your amp, find the voltage/amps going to your subs. This is what will determine wire size needed ...

12ga is fine for up to 20 amps, 10 ga up to 30 amps, then 8 ga beyond that ....

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

how many amps is your amplifier pushing to your subs?? Yes AMPS, you need to clamp your amp, find the voltage/amps going to your subs. This is what will determine wire size needed ...
12ga is fine for up to 20 amps, 10 ga up to 30 amps, then 8 ga beyond that ....

That's at 20'. Not at OP's 4'.

OP, you will not notice anything, nor will your equipment.

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

That's at 20'. Not at OP's 4'.
OP, you will not notice anything, nor will your equipment.

It's actually at 8', but is a good rule of thumb for any distance up to 10' ....

 

[TheFiverMan 10+ year member]

12ga wire is fine. Ive ran 5k setups with 12ga. Works fine.

 

[bmk6795 10+ year member]

There was a mod on here a few years ago who did a sub wire swap from 12g to 8 or 4g, I forget, nothing whatsoever changed. Didn't gain any on the meter no heat differences, nada. Not saying it's like that in all aplications, but id leave the 12g since it's already there.

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

Exactly my point with getting his amp clamped. Find out the amperage you are actually pushing. Then you know what size to use, and anything bigger is just a waste of money. Or purely for aesthetics ...

regardless of anybodies, "just use it, it will be okay, because I did it" advice. That is the correct way to gauge wire size usage for your specific application ...in case you wanted to know the right way to do it in the future ...

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

If he has the 8 gauge laying around, why not? It would take all of 5 minutes and then there would be no doubt.

Clamping the amp would take more time..

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

If he has the 8 gauge laying around, why not? It would take all of 5 minutes and then there would be no doubt.
Clamping the amp would take more time..

Nothing wrong with this idea, you are right. I was just trying to let the op know how he can actually figure out what size is actually needed....

and over sized wire is always better than going under sized .... and going over sized, compared to just the right size, is also great if you can afford it, or just have it laying around anyways, and your amp/sub/speakers will accommodate it....

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Nothing wrong with this idea, you are right. I was just trying to let the op know how he can actually figure out what size is actually needed....and over sized wire is always better than going under sized .... if you can afford it, or just have it laying around anyways ....

I just use the biggest wire possible. My amp has 4 gauge outputs, so I used 4 gauge OFC. Its unnecessary and way overkill, but I had it left over from my mids/highs amps and decided to use it.

 

[AudioMan4Life]

4Ga is extreme for speaker wire 8ga is the biggest i would go but since a majority think 12ga is plenty i wont change it

Thanks!