Wire Gauge for Speakers.

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Starchild
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Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#1 Post by Starchild »

Hi guys, Back again with another quick question. What is the proper gauge of wire used for BFM cabinets say the T48, Dr250, DR280? As in Amplifier to Speaker Cab wires. Thanks in Advance!

Bruce Weldy
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#2 Post by Bruce Weldy »

12ga.....for everything.....but, that's just me.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#3 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »


ACUA
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#4 Post by ACUA »

I have a 50ft run of 14ga for my otops, that carol stuff from partsexpress, it’s been good for me. And I had 2 12ga 25ft runs for my subs but I’m about to buy a pair of 50ft 12ga cables soon for subs. That will likely be partsexpress brand which gets good reviews.
Advanced Concepts Underground Audio

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Seth
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#5 Post by Seth »

ACUA wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 1:52 amThat will likely be partsexpress brand which gets good reviews.
Is that the Pro Co brand stuff you're talking about? $89 for 50' 12/2 speakon to speakon?
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Bruce Weldy
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#6 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Build your own. Speakons use screw terminals, so no soldering. Buy the ends and bulk cable....it's cheaper and you can get the exact lengths you want.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Seth
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#7 Post by Seth »

Bruce Weldy wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 7:39 am Build your own. Speakons use screw terminals, so no soldering. Buy the ends and bulk cable....it's cheaper and you can get the exact lengths you want.
Exactly where I was going :thumbsup:

For $180 you could buy 2 pre-assembled 50' 12/2 speaker cords. Or, you can buy 500 foot spool of 12/2 for $200, connectors for $3ea for genuine Neutrik SpeakON (knockoffs can be had for about $1ea), and assemble 10 cords... 2 - 100', 4 - 50', AND 4 - 25' for roughly $260. It's about $150 more to do them in 4 conductor wire and 4 pole connectors.

500' spool 12/2 speaker wire https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004Z2K5U4
Last edited by Seth on Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

ACUA
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2016 6:21 pm
Location: Tucson Arizona

Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#8 Post by ACUA »

https://www.parts-express.com/talent-sc ... t--101-315I build my own cables, the cables I am looking at is not partsexpress brand it’s talent. I have had awesome luck with their products. For like $45 I can build a 50’ cable
Advanced Concepts Underground Audio

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Seth
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#9 Post by Seth »

ACUA wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:13 am https://www.parts-express.com/talent-sc ... t--101-315I build my own cables, the cables I am looking at is not partsexpress brand it’s talent. I have had awesome luck with their products. For like $45 I can build a 50’ cable
:thumbsup:
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#10 Post by Bruce Weldy »

SethRocksYou wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:55 am 2 - 100', 4 - 50', AND 4 - 25' for roughly $260. It's about $150 more to do them in 4 conductor wire and 4 pole connectors.
I don't now or have ever owned a 100 foot speaker cable....ya'll must be running some awfully wide stages!

I wouldn't suggest using the knock-off speakons....the tolerances on those aren't good. Sometimes they don't want to fit in the panel connectors properly. Spend the extra dough and get the good stuff - they will work forever. For two conductor, use the NL2FX. The old 2 conductor connector sucked, so everybody used the NL4 and just used two of the poles. But, a couple of years ago they come out with the NL2FX - exactly the same as an NL4, but with only two poles and a little cheaper.

https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-n ... t--092-198

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Seth
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#11 Post by Seth »

Bruce Weldy wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:47 am
SethRocksYou wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:55 am 2 - 100', 4 - 50', AND 4 - 25' for roughly $260. It's about $150 more to do them in 4 conductor wire and 4 pole connectors.
I don't now or have ever owned a 100 foot speaker cable....ya'll must be running some awfully wide stages!

I wouldn't suggest using the knock-off speakons....the tolerances on those aren't good. Sometimes they don't want to fit in the panel connectors properly. Spend the extra dough and get the good stuff - they will work forever. For two conductor, use the NL2FX. The old 2 conductor connector sucked, so everybody used the NL4 and just used two of the poles. But, a couple of years ago they come out with the NL2FX - exactly the same as an NL4, but with only two poles and a little cheaper.

https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-n ... t--092-198
That is some fantastic info. I've personally only used Neutrik NL2FX and the GLS brand of the NL4. I haven't had any issues with the GLS stuff, but I did remove the link to the other knock offs from my post because I trust your word and can't speak for them myself. Don't wanna steer anyone awry.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#12 Post by Bruce Weldy »

SethRocksYou wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 11:00 am I've personally only used Neutrik NL2FX and the GLS brand of the NL4. I haven't had any issues with the GLS stuff, but I did remove the link to the other knock offs from my post because I trust your word and can't speak for them myself. Don't wanna steer anyone awry.
Well, I don't know everything even though my wife says I"m a know-it-all (sometimes I don't she means that as a compliment... :? )

I haven't used the GLS stuff, but I've come across a bunch of the knock-off stuff in speakons and XLRs over the years..... Bottom line is that for a little more money, you get top-of-the-line (Neutrik) connectors that the pros use - and there's a reason that they do.

I just flat don't have cable failures - speaker or mic. I use Rapco/Horizon bulk cable for speaker and mic cable and only Neutrik connectors. I've tried some Amphenol and they are ok, but I don't think they are as good as the Neutrik. The Switchcraft XLRs and 1/4" as still good connectors, but they are more expensive a lot of the time and not as good with the strain relief. Neutrik has truly built a better mousetrap.

I've been in situations where a lot of time was spent chasing down a problem before showtime and it all came down to a crappy knock-off connector. If you are going to spend a lot of money on your BFM speakers, amps, racks, and all the other stuff that goes into a system - why go cheap with the stuff that ties it all together? Cuz' all that gear don't work if the cable is broke!

I don't know who came up with it, but as our dear departed DJ Phatman used to say, "Buy Once, Cry Once".

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#13 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Bruce Weldy wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:47 am I don't now or have ever owned a 100 foot speaker cable....
Nor should you. Even if the resistance losses are tolerable with that much length capacitance and inductance both will result in significant high frequency losses.

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Seth
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Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#14 Post by Seth »

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:43 pm
Bruce Weldy wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:47 am I don't now or have ever owned a 100 foot speaker cable....
Nor should you. Even if the resistance losses are tolerable with that much length capacitance and inductance both will result in significant high frequency losses.
What's a reasonable maximum length?
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8301
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Wire Gauge for Speakers.

#15 Post by Bruce Weldy »

SethRocksYou wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 2:34 pm
Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:43 pm
Bruce Weldy wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:47 am I don't now or have ever owned a 100 foot speaker cable....
Nor should you. Even if the resistance losses are tolerable with that much length capacitance and inductance both will result in significant high frequency losses.
What's a reasonable maximum length?
The shortest length of cable to get to where you are going. If you have to go more than about 50 feet, you should consider having an amp rack on each side of the stage.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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