speaker wire question

[CJS234]

Hey guys,

Ill be gettin my new Onkyo SR-605B receiver some time next week along with SKS-HT540 7.1 speakers. I was wondering if I can use the old cables I have from my old setup to connect the new speakers since I dont think they come with wires. The wires Im talking about are the color coded ones that comes with relatively cheap systems. What do you guys say?

Thanks
CJS

[seto]

I suggest at least getting a bigger gauged copper wire. Not too expensive. But since your new receiver can pump out more power and your speakers can probably handle more, you should take advantage of it instead of using weaker cables.

[jsteinhauer]

Copper wire has gotten really expensive, IMO. Over $0.50/foot for larger gauges, depending on brand and where you buy it. I use 16 gauge for everything, though with the longer runs, 14 would probably be more appropriate.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

Not sure where you live but you can try either Home Depot or Lowes hardware stores for speaker cable. It's not Monster cable but around the same gauge and cheaper. Much cheaper.

[Snowgod]

It really depends on ho far you have to go. Under 20 feet then 14 to 16 gage lamp cord should work. Larger wire for longer runs and more power.

[cawgijoe]

Measure what you will need. Try and keep the lengths the same from the receiver to the front two speakers....i.e.....say eight feet for the left....eight for the right. Don't buy more than you need.

Go to Home Depot or Lowes as suggested above and buy either 12 or 16 gauge speaker wire off the roll. They will cut it to your length.

I prefer the bigger gauge wire, but that's up to you.

[dannyjl]

Yeah, you should certainly update your wires. I just got a 605 myself a few weeks ago and rewired my entire system - the wires dated back to the early 90's. Upon the recommendation of several fellow forumites here I went with the wire from monoprice.com. I checked at Home D. and Lowe's but the 12 awg wire was about $1 a foot - too expensive. Here's a link for 16 gauge wire at an incredible price.: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage

Might as well do it right and rest easy at night and go with the 12 guage wire for a few bucks more. http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage

And then if you really want to rest easy, go for the banana plugs here, very easy to setup and outrageously cheap! http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

So far my system is sounding great and these products look to be a steal at the prices I paid.

[quetzalcoatl]

Well I see someone already beat me to Monoprice. I use them for all my wiring needs now. And have had zero problems.

[cawgijoe]

I've used Monoprice for my HDMI and Toslink cables. Never thought about speaker cables because I'm all set there......good idea.

[bootman]

Yup, no need to go too crazy in guage unless the runs are really long.