What determines the gauge of the speaker wiring when you install an aftermarket amp? Is it how much the amp puts out, or the speakers it connected to or the length of the wire? Is there criteria I am missing?

I have a 4 channel 600W targa amp and the speaker wire looks kind of small to be honest. I would say 24 gauge by looking at it. Would I see any improvement by going to a 16 gauge wire? Just figured I'd check here with the experts as I don't want to do the work if I'm not going to gain anything.

 

16ga is typically recommended for most amp installs. I can't say if you will actually see a difference though. I kind of doubt it. But if it is really 24ga you are probably loosing decent wattage due to resistance.

 

usualy wire size has a ratio of so many amps per X many feet

General rule Bigger is always better.... however you do get a deminishing return the big question is are your subs farther then 5ft from your amp if not the wire you have should be big enough also do you plan on playing them played all the way up? the louder you consistantly play the subs the more inportant big wire is.

if your worried about your speaker/sub wire size you can always double up the wire run 2 to the power side and 2 to the ground that way you have twice the ability for current flow!!! this is a prety cheep trick.

if your still worried about the wires check the temp after you have been running the subs as loud as you usually would for a few minutes. check the temperature of the wires if their hot their simply to small and will melt/break.

 

Use the biggest freaking wires you can for the subs. I am using 10g for all the speakers in my car but regardless of the power drop you can loose sound quality and I don't like taking chances.

 

Guys we aren't talking subs here. 16ga is overkill, but in a good way, for normal speakers.

I agree subs like 8-12ga depending on wattage.

 

Bigger is usually better.....just for the piece of mind factor. I run 12 ga for my speakers and 10 ga on my sub.

Also make sure you do the BIG 3 upgrade.

 

YES!! thank you for bringing up the "Big 3" , every time someone mentions it an angel gets their wings.

It is essential and also while your at it add a couple extra grounds to the engine and body and you will be good. You will see gauges will be more accurate and sensors will work better.

I went all out and did the "Big 3" with 2g wire and grounded the engine with the same. Also went with a 230amp alternator and dual batteries, but im running a decent sized system and wanted room to grow.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys, I appreciate it. As one of the previous posters here mentioned, I'm not using subs. Just a set of 6x9's in the side panels and 4x6's in the dash. I have the Bose system so the rest of the system is driven by the head unit.

By the way, whats the Big 3 upgrade? Some sort of wiring kit?

 

Big 3 is using the biggest gauge wire (0 gauge or 1/0 gauge) for the following:
1) Battery negative to chassis
2) Alternator to battery positive
3) Chassis to engine

 

A few BIG 3 links......

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID~73496~PN~1

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthre...e/1#Post312025

http://www.icixsound.com/iv/view_vid...e=&category=mr

http://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-ele...lternator.html

I would recommend the BIG 3 in 1/0 ga wire Look for knu wire as they seem to have more strands than other brands of the same size

 

I wouldnt bother with name brand wire, just use generic 1/0 welding wire. as long as it has a neoprene jacket, it will be plenty flexible. its going to be your basic black or red, but its considerabley cheaper cost for the exact same quality.