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Speaker cable gauge and amplifier power

Based on my limited understanding of electricity, sending electricity through a wire is like sending water through a pipe. Using a larger cable gauge or bi-wiring will increase the amount of current required from the amplifier.

It seems like there must be a way to optimize speaker cable gauge and length based on an amp's current and watt ratings. Lower powered amps would mate best with narrower gauge speaker wire, and a powerful amp would benefit from thicker wire.

Am I oversimplifying, or are there established guidelines based on calculations of current, capacitance, etc.?
jpbach

Showing 1 response by danlib1

danlib1
819 posts
 
If you believe "pipe size" is that important, giving a cable like Audience AU-24 Speaker cables a spin can be very surprising. I used them with a Pass X-250 driving Revels for a couple of years and STILL remember my shock at how they outperformed the garden hoses I was using at the time.

It's like Albert said- MANY factors go into cable design.
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