jmanso wrote:I figured i could always use it for xlr cables for the rack and mixer connections if it wasnt great for the speakers.
Ummm no you can't use it for that purpose.
XLR cables require shielded 2 core cable. You need microphone cable to make up XLR cables.
The same microphone cable can also be used for any other type of
signal cables.
Be careful if wiring up unbalanced XLR to 6.5mm/ 1/4" jacks cables and the -ve (nominally pin 3 on the XLR) to ground/shield at the 6.5mm/ 1/4" jack end.
You could possibly use your 16G wire for short (say 2 -3 metres) cab to cab connects, as well as in cab wiring.
The reason you need heavier wire for speaker cabs in pro PA situations is the ability of any given wire to carry current.
You can see from the table on this page:
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
That 16G wire can carry a maximum of 3.7 amps for power transmission. 12G can carry 9.3 amps.
60V out of an 8 ohm load on an amplifier also has a current of 7.5 amps, so more than the 16G wire can carry.
I also found a chart that gives maximum cable length, dependant on load:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_wire
You can see that going from 8 ohm use to 4 ohm use roughly halves maximum cable length.
Also, please note the caveat that no speaker cable should be longer than 50 feet/15m just under the first table. This is to minimise loss in output...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...
not much point asking after you ordered.
)