steven88

iTrader: (28)

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1...62S.html?tp=95

Hey guys, I currently have the above speaker set...its nothing fancy, just an entry level speaker....I'm using the wires that came with it...I measured it and it came in 16 gauge....but when I open the insulator and look at the copper wires inside, theres so tiny for a 16 gauge...

Anyways I have my eye on the Alpine KTP-445 mini amp which connects to the back of my Alpine head unit....it pumps out 45 watts RMS to all four speakers....I am just wondering if the wires that came with my Kenwood speakers will be able to handle 45 watts?

What is the general rule of thumb to go by when upgrading speaker wires? Around what wattage?

Thanks!

Joeker82

iTrader: (2)

It will work. But, try not to use angel hair.....Pop for some good wire! Like 10-12 gauge.

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

You will be fine with that. I wouldnt worry about it. 10-12 gauge for 45 watts? ROFL>

steven88

iTrader: (28)

I mean...all the reviews I've read about the Alpine KTP-445 mini amp, everybody says they never replaced the factory wiring and simply "plug and play"

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything....

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

Yea, you're fine.

joew

i am curious if stock speaker wires can handle 75rms x 4 amps?

AscendantMax

iTrader: (7)

depends on the length of wire...but for 75w i would go for 16 gauge and be done with it. you might see a little voltage drop with the stock wires. but you won't see anywhere near 75w continuously though.

and wtf? 10-12awg for 45 watts??

joew

damn speaker companies giving those looking like 20 ga on 40rms speakers. now it looks like the project is going to be longer than expected. since the tweeters are connected to the front speakers, do you split the wires from the amp and connect the front speaker & tweeter separately or you just forget about the tweeters.

since it is not recommended to have speaker wires and the power wire on the side, it looks like it has to be pulled from the right side of the car through the dash to the left door?

Joeker82

iTrader: (2)

What's so funny!?! I like to use thick wire? That way I only do it once. I hate cheap wire!

Maybe the man may upgrade to more watts later. That way you dont have to run all new wire. Again, throw the angel hair away!

AscendantMax

iTrader: (7)

10-12awg wires for regular speakers is just overkill, not to mention it will be a royal pain in the **** to run to the doors. hell, i have an amp that can put out 320x2 rms, and i'm still using 16 awg. just because an amp can put out high power doesn't mean it's constantly doing so.

Joeker82

iTrader: (2)

Yelp, to each their own! Use what you want! I ran thick wire to all my doors and it went just fine.

If you guys want to use angel hair go right ahead.

MadMax07SL

Is 10-12 overkill, probably. But from his description we're talking about some seriously thin wire. SO if you're going to run wire anyway, might as well get something that will provide minimal resistance. Of course if he's already got 16, he'll probably do just fine.

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

16ga is not that thin. What are you 10/12ga wire guys running 1000w rms per door ON MUSIC? LOL.

I have 500x2 rms going to my Dyn's, I have 16ga wire, not a single issue and no loss in the wire.

Joeker82

iTrader: (2)

They give you the wire free in the box when you buy the speakers. Its crap! I run 10 to 12 gauge in my house and car. Hell, even my crap stereo in the garage has got good wire!

In all reality....it's preference!?!

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

The size of the wire makes it good?

Joeker82

iTrader: (2)

Yup, and the quality of the wire. Dude, I'm not gonna debate with you!?! He asked a question and i gave him my opinion!?! Personally I dont use 16 gauge crap wire that comes with the speakers I buy. I buy thick! Case Closed!

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

What amp are running on your alpines again?

MadMax07SL

And how do you know you're not seeing some degradation in the signal, did you stick your tongue on it and sense the voltage?

It may sound just fine, and probably is for most applications. But if you're starting from scratch and running over extended distances, the less resistance you have the better.

AscendantMax

iTrader: (7)

i doubt you'll see signal degradation in ~16 ft of wire though. but hell...run thicker wire by all means if you have high power applications.

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

My runs are short, and I checked the voltage at both the amp and the end of the runs, minimal loss for what i was trying to accomplish.

Hellrot318is

I ran 4 gauge to my tweeters.

AscendantMax

iTrader: (7)

and i have 0awg going to my crossovers.

i would love to see your wiring. pics?

Qtr

I'm using 14 gauge to wire my 500 "rms" sub and it works fine. I swapped it with my friends 8 gauge just to test, and there was no difference in sound or resistance when I used a multimeter. It costs way less, no point in spending extra money.

http://www.rbeelectronics.com/wtable.htm

According to this website, if you're running 45w RMS you can use 16 gauge wire for 25 feet.

locknuts27

iTrader: (2)

Nismos is right, you can use 16 awg, and bigger wires are over kill. But it's a preference thing if you want to use a bigger wire then do so. Bigger the wire doesn't equal better sound, crap speaker on bigger wires still sound pretty crappy. lol