Speaker Wire

[brinandi]

I'll start by saying I did try the search funtion.

What wire is everyone using to make thier own speakon wire?

Where is everyone getting thier bulk 12g at.
What price can I expect (figuring $.75/ft-$1.00/ft?)

[Dan30]

I got some long ass instrument cables from ebay in .12, clipped off the ends and cut 'em to length. They're not the highest quality cables, but they're sufficient.

[Rune Bivrin]

I got some long ass instrument cables from ebay in .12, clipped off the ends and cut 'em to length. They're not the highest quality cables, but they're sufficient.

If that's really instrument cable, i.e. shielded you're just lucky they haven't melted on you. If it's actually speaker cable you're probably ok.

For the OP, what you should get is rubber insulated two-conductor cable. Gauge dependent on length, but generally 16-14 should be sufficient.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I got some long ass instrument cables

I hope you don't really mean instrument cables, which should never be used as speaker cable.

OP, 12ga is usually overkill. Use this to figure out the gauge you need:
http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/speake ... istant.swf

Type SJ cable works very well, is inexpensive and available just about everywhere.

[doncolga]

I got a bunch of 14 ga off ebay a while back and I've been very happy with it. Great learning experience for me.

[Bruce Weldy]

While some consider 12ga overkill...and it may be in some cases, I've always tried to make sure whatever I build will handle any situation.

I always use 12ga for every length - and I like the way it looks and feels too.

[brinandi]

Thanks for all of the replies! Nifty calc Bill!! So it looks like 14g should suffice for all of my needs (power(50 volts max)/length(50ft)). I'm looking at awcwire.com and I can get 250ft for $132... .52/ft for 14/2 is even better than I was expecting!

[kekani]

If you're looking for specifics, I've researched instrument and mic cables and for the price (& quality), I've stuck with Canare. They've handled getting crushed with equipment thanks to the braided shields.

That said, I've done speaker cables with the 4s8 and 4s11. 8's are really nice and are now my main cables. Also made some lengths for my monitors in this guage. I made the 11's first, and now use them only for larger stages, which we hardly do. They're heavier for sure, and I'm lazy, hence my move to Jack Lites and Crown XLS.

[Lastcat]

I like the feel and weight of 12 ga myself, and fits very good with Speakon Ends.

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/122sjoowpowercord.aspx

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/124sjoowpowercord.aspx

[DJPhatman]

While some consider 12ga overkill...and it may be in some cases, I've always tried to make sure whatever I build will handle any situation.

I always use 12ga for every length - and I like the way it looks and feels too.

+1 I prefer 12 gauge for speaker wire. I used 10 gauge for my extension cords.

[doncolga]

While some consider 12ga overkill...and it may be in some cases, I've always tried to make sure whatever I build will handle any situation.

I always use 12ga for every length - and I like the way it looks and feels too.

I could see that...very heavy duty look and feel.

[Lastcat]

+1 I prefer 12 gauge for speaker wire. I used 10 gauge for my extension cords.

+1 Same here.

[brinandi]

I like the feel and weight of 12 ga myself, and fits very good with Speakon Ends.

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/122sjoowpowercord.aspx

not much of a price difference for this stuff! Thank you for the link!

[Lastcat]

I like the feel and weight of 12 ga myself, and fits very good with Speakon Ends.

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/122sjoowpowercord.aspx

not much of a price difference for this stuff! Thank you for the link!

Actually its the type of cable. SJOOW is a better jacket. At awcwire you would pay $1.08 a foot for 250'. At Skycrafts $.61 a foot for 250'. And you will find that they fully fit with Speakon Ends. One thing I try to avoid is small thin wire with Speakon Ends. SJOOW will allow a nice tight fit, nothing getting in.

As many times as you wrap and unwrap your cables, throw them in a box, pile them up, people walking on your cables (which I never allow) you will find SJOOW is a more durable grade.

[byacey]

I've been using trailer cable. It's considerably cheaper, coils up nicely, still very flexible even at low temperatures and has a tough outer jacket.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=% ... _g&cad=rja