What Speaker Wire Do I Need?

Published Sun, 2009-02-22 15:18 Tags:

Should I be using 16-2 or 14-2 AWG speaker wire to connect speakers to an amplifier?

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Red Atom Networks Sun, 2009-02-22 15:22

This is a post from the Sonos forum:

 

For best sound quality and to make sure your speakers are not damaged at maximum volume Sonos recommends the following types of speakers:

 

75 Watts peak power handling for 8 Ohm impedance speakers.

125 Watts peak power handling for 4 Ohm impedance speakers.

 

The Sonos ZonePlayer can support 4 to16 Ohm impedance loads.

 

Use the following table to determine which Gauge of speaker wire to use in your installation:

 

 

Distance from speaker to ZonePlayer

Millimeters

Gauge (AWG)

Less than 80 ft (Less than 24m)

1.3

16

80 to 200 feet (24m to 61m)

1.6

14

200 to 300 feet (61m to 92m)*

2

12

*Runs over 300 feet (92m) are not recommended

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