solid core VS stranded for inside speaker cabinet


I recently purchased a crossover upgrade DIY from a popular seller GR research for a Klip 504c however the seller sent me in the kit Solid core wire as part of the kit   , I always thought stranded was best and I haven't really seen solid used before inside of a speaker cabinet , I was taught that electrons flow on the outside of a wire not the inside so having many strands is better vs 1 16 awg solid core wire , I thought that this seller maybe just wanted to save a little money by sending this wire out but he insists solid core is better , my gut wants me to finish this project off with stranded not solid core , I want to ask what's better and why,  is it possible solid wire from the cross over to the speaker is better or is stranded better from the cross over to the speaker? 

ngiordano

Showing 2 responses by carlsbad

Here's my opinions and i don't have physics to back it up (like I usually do).  

Stranded wire was developed for applications where you need flexibility, cords are the best example. Solid wire is still used in a lot of applications.  Most high end capacitors use solid wire leads (there are a couple of exceptions).  Most point to point wire in tube amps is solid.   The advantage here is that it stays where you bend it to.   I'm starting to see some interconnects made with solid vs stranded wire, woven.  In fact I'm planning to make a set of my own with solid wire woven. 

So it doesn't surprise me that solid wire is supplied in a speaker kit.  One advantage is that you can bend it and route it away from the walls.  Using stranded wire you have to be careful it doesn't fall loosely on a wall of the speaker and create a vibration.

I would do 1 of 2 things:  I would either use it, or I would take thiis opportunity to buy high quality mundorf or duelund wire to rewire your speaker.  I am building upgraded crossovers for my speakers this winter and I bought duelund wire to upgrade all the wiring inside the speakers while I'm at it.

Jerry

@jasonbourne52 Indeed you can't always hear slightly better equipment.  But as we go about putting together our system, consistently making the best choice, often guided by physics, sometimes by experience, the 30 to 50 choices we make will add up to superior sound in the end.

I snicker at those who describe the performance of a component with terms that sound like a review from wine spectator, but you are at the other end of the spectrum.  reading your comments one could assume that they can buy a 1000 ft reel of 22 ga wire and just use it for everything.  That is obviously not true. 

The truth is always somewhere in the middle.  but in our society today people like to polarize to one end of the other.  

I'm in the middle.

Jerry