Go Vette

I'm putting a regular Pioneer stereo in my 75, new speakers up front, adding 6x9s in the back. I have some 16 gauge speaker wire. Is that OK or too big?

slickfx3

you should see the stock stuff

qwank

16 gauge is plenty, you could get away with 18-22 if you're just running off the head unit.

gcusmano74

Rule of thumb on speaker wire is, use as thick a wire as you want to spend. The fatter, the better. Serious audiophiles use wire so thick you'd think they were welding with it.
The factory speakers are rated at 10 ohms. If you use thin wire that has 1 or 2 ohms of resistance, you are losing 10 or 20% of amplifier power right off the bat.

Richard454

The size is fine-but make sure what you have is the good stuff!!!

Make sure it's NOT "CCA" or Copper Coated Aluminum- It's just what is says it is- Copper Coated cheaper Aluminum-

It doesn't conduct as well as "OFC"- Oxygen Free Copper and it tends to break a LOT easier plus it oxidizes faster.


How to check-

Strip back the wire and scrape it w/ a knife- if its silver looking underneath- you don't want to use it.

This also goes for any other wiring in your car- not just the speakers!!!

Richard

The13Bats

It's bad, I just buy marine wiring most of the time now pure copper and tinned, better overkill than hack job....
But question, is there any place that CCA would be good?

Richard454

Good? I don't think it could even replace bailing wire - as it is too prone to break.


See the difference-

The13Bats

I noticed a lot of so called high end car audio wire is CCA...I guess trying to rip the unsavvy buyers as it's price is the same or more than good tinned copper marine wire.