12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

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djslik
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Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:25 pm
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12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

#1 Post by djslik »

I work at an Electrical Distributor so we have tons of wire and cable and I can buy at cost.

Can I get away with 14 Gauge SO for speaker runs 25-50FT for T48's and Otop 12's?

Even at dealer cost the 12 Gauge is much more expensive than the 14 Gauge.
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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: 12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

#2 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/speake ... istant.swf
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Bruce Weldy
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Re: 12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

#3 Post by Bruce Weldy »

djslik wrote:I work at an Electrical Distributor so we have tons of wire and cable and I can buy at cost.

Can I get away with 14 Gauge SO for speaker runs 25-50FT for T48's and Otop 12's?

Even at dealer cost the 12 Gauge is much more expensive than the 14 Gauge.
You'll never be sorry that you used 12 ga.

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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Greg Plouvier
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Re: 12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

#4 Post by Greg Plouvier »

djslik wrote:Can I get away with 14 Gauge SO for speaker runs 25-50FT for T48's and Otop 12's?
Yes. Use speakon connectors, not 1/4"
Greg Plouvier
http://www.magnumcaseworks.com
Protective casing, speaker cabinets, Colorado BF builder, A/V installation, sales, live sound
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djslik
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:25 pm
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: 12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

#5 Post by djslik »

Bill that is a great link. Looks like at my distances the decibel loss is inaudible. I think for the first batch of short cables I'll try the 14 Gauge. Speakon is my only option since my XTI amps don't have 1/4 jacks.
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Mikey
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Location: Pahrump, Nevada, USA

Re: 12 Gauge or 14 Gauge for Short Speaker Runs

#6 Post by Mikey »

Bruce Weldy wrote:
djslik wrote:I work at an Electrical Distributor so we have tons of wire and cable and I can buy at cost.
You'll never be sorry that you used 12 ga.
+1 ... calculator schmalculator ... use the 12 gauge since you can get it at wholesale cost.
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius, and a lot of courage, to move in the opposite direction."

Albert Einstein
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