Speaker Wire size

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

16 gauge: ~8.7 amperes

8 ohms -

6 ohms -

4 ohms -

3 ohms -

2 ohms -

1 ohm -

So I buy 150RMS speakers @ 4 ohms I only need 16 gauge wire?

I'm wondering why some people run thicker wire than that and also what the standard OEM guage is - 20?

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[jacka 10+ year member]

yeah you'll be fine with the 16 gauge. i'm guessing people run larger wire for headroom possibly, or to make the wire a non-factor in resistance.

 

[alteraudiousa 10+ year member]

depends on the application though. My shop typically uses 16 or 14guage on speakers and 12 guage on subwoofers. But can change with the power the amp is putting out.

 

[DjiNN 10+ year member]

im using 16gauge .. from what ive got advice on is that 14-18gauge is good for speakers .. anything lower is for sub .. correct me if im wrong guys ..

 

[Big Dee 10+ year member]

im using 16gauge .. from what ive got advice on is that 14-18gauge is good for speakers .. anything lower is for sub .. correct me if im wrong guys ..

That's a good general rule, but it depends on the amount of power, load, and distance from amp. Nothing is set in stone.