Need some help with Marine Speaker Wire

[jeffro22]

wondering if 18g marine speaker wire is good enough or if i need to go with 16ga ? Have about a 12 foot run from the radio to the new 8" speakers. Possibly will install amp in future and don't won't to rerun the wire. Whats the best gauge to go with?

[Knot_Enuff]

More is better. I you are going to add an amp later you may want to even go to 14ga, but a min (IMO) is 16ga. When you run an amp you will have a larger current flow and you want the least amount of restriction as possible. It will work with less, but you will also get less from you expensive amp.

[jeffro22]

other than Worst Marine, where is the best place to get marine speaker wire from?

[Capttater]

16 gauge wire. You don't need or want "speaker wire". Get tinned duplex wire. West Marine has the Ancor brand which is darn good stuff. Regular clear speaker wire let's water go right through.
I prefer to solder it to the speaker tabs but if you put some grease on the spade connectors they hold up too.

[seabob4]

Originally Posted by Capttater

16 gauge wire. You don't need or want "speaker wire". Get tinned duplex wire. West Marine has the Ancor brand which is darn good stuff. Regular clear speaker wire let's water go right through.
I prefer to solder it to the speaker tabs but if you put some grease on the spade connectors they hold up too.

Good stuff, copper to +, silver to -, spade connectors work, but crimp down the tabs a bit...

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Capttater

16 gauge wire. You don't need or want "speaker wire". Get tinned duplex wire. West Marine has the Ancor brand which is darn good stuff.

That's what I would recommend also. If you think you'll be doing boat "rock concerts", step up to 14 gauge. #16 is fine for most folks.

The duplex wire has a sheath around it that protects the wire and makes it easier to run.

[Knot_Enuff]

Originally Posted by jeffro22

other than Worst Marine, where is the best place to get marine speaker wire from?

This place has a good price on the duplex wire and free shipping:

http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Marine%...20Boat%20Wire/

[jeffro22]

Originally Posted by Knot_Enuff

This place has a good price on the duplex wire and free shipping:

http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Marine%...20Boat%20Wire/

Thanks for everyones help.

I got some ordered last night

[DFreedom]

if you have not already ordered wire, I found a place Gregsmarinewiresupply.com that has the best prices I could find. I ordered last Saturday and found the box sitting on my porch yesterday when I got home. They sell just about anything you need in tinned, marine wire and connectors.