what is the appropriate speaker wire for use behind a wall?

[ndrwcn]

i have been asked to setup a gentleman's new polk/onkyo system, and he is going to have an electrician run the speaker wire behind the walls of the room he is putting this system into. does this require something other than standard 12 or 14 gauge speaker wire, or is there a need for something different/better when the wire is going to be running behind a wall?

is it worth investing in thicker wire than 12 gauge when using an 100 watt per channel onkyo driving monitor 70's, 40's, and a CS2?

thanks,
andrew

[mantis]

CL3 rated wire. This wire is fire resistant and alot of different companies make it.
The electrician shopuld know where to get some. Monster makes 16 ,14 ,12 guage inwall wire as well as 16 x 4 , 14 x 4 and 12 x 4 which is 4 conductor wire.

Dan

[emcclary]

The gauge will depend on the run length for the wires. More important is that they should be the same length run for each speaker regardless of the actual speaker distacne from the head unit. Thicker is always better if you can afford it. Anything less than 25-30 ft you can use 14 without issue the amp size really doesnt have a whole lot to do with it. I agree with th CL3 advice as well.

[McLoki]

The 12 white speaker cable from Blue Jeans cable is about .39/foot and is in-wall rated. You can also get the 10ga. cable for .57 / foot but I do not think that would be needed in your situation. (I am using it in my front stage because it is inwall and plenum (cl2) rated)

Michael

You can click on the link in my sig to get to blue jeans cable - no affiliation to me other than as a happy customer.