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Speaker wire size VS speaker size. Should bigger speakers use bigger wires?

After 16 years using Monster 2.4s speaker wire (fairly large gauge as it looks like #10 or maybe even #8) I thought I'd try Dueland 16 gauge copper, tin plated, oiled & cotton wrapped. They have been in my system for a few months now.  While the music is very detailed and great sound stage, I feel the bass may be a bit weaker.
I know the "Monster" word is not favored on A/Gon, but it always sounded very very good.  Before I kick out the $ for the new Dueland 12 gauge, I was curious as to the wire size and effect on sound.  I see some folks run up to 22 gauge which to me is silly puny.  My wire length is 8"
Amp Krell FPB300cx, speakers Infinity Renaissance 90.  The speakers are 4-way semi-planer with a nice 10" woofer that goes down to 27hz which aint bad.
Thanks for your input, John
jsd52756
williewonka
3,072 posts
 
@jsd52756 - I once thought thicker was better - then I tried KLE Innovations gZero6 speaker cables and they changed my thoughts forever..

They were thin comapred to the 10 gauge Van den Hul I was using, but beat the VDH for bass performance - deeper and more precise

I now use a 16 gauge cable and have great bass response

For commercially available products I highly recommend all KLE Innovations cables

I now use my own DIY cables
http://image99.net/blog/index.html

Regards...
jsd52756 OP
421 posts
 
Interesting stuff above.  It just seemed to me bookshelf size speakers could use smaller gauge whereas if I had Wilson Alexandra hunkin-momma size speakers they would need a lot of juice.  I may try the low side of the Monster cables on the woofers and see if I notice a difference.  Or even a difference I like. 
The whole thing came about as just a test/trial of the Dueland wire.  Every once in a while messing with things is kind of fun. 
-John
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,413 posts
 
Assumption here is that thin wires will somehow change bass-treble balance reducing bass because of higher bass currents.  I'm not sure it is true.  Voltage divider will still be the same for all speakers - bass/midrange/tweeter  as long as speaker impedance stays about constant.   I'm not sure you can notice 0.9% loudness reduction (gauge 16), but if you can it will be for all speakers in the same percentage -  should not change the sound.  Also, the lowest impedance might be at different frequencies - even at 20kHz.  Uneven speaker impedance with resistance in series (thin wire) can affect (smear) the overall sound - not only the bass, but tube amps have output impedance of few ohms and nobody complains about the sound (or poor bass).
williewonka
3,072 posts
 
@jsd52756 - If you like "messing" with things take a look at...

http://image99.net/blog/files/d048bbacfce9bcad4a025be804771d9a-76.html

http://image99.net/blog/files/be8de0c383c5434907610d6b55049e69-75.html

http://image99.net/blog/files/4127b5fe2694586e383104364360373b-74.html

If you want a second opinion about the eprofrmance of the Helix cables - contact Agon member @toddverrone - he’s built all of the Helix cables - including a bi-amped version we developed together and he likes them a lot

These links explain some of my thoughts pertaining to the reasons why I think Helix cables work so well
http://image99.net/blog/files/af7344cfd857b845519b34ad829c12d0-3.html

http://image99.net/blog/files/a8fe12e6b9c434f03264a1a90f441ff7-62.html

Hope you find it useful

Cheers


ebm
9,311 posts
 
Its the purity of wire (i like copper)  and the design that make a wire great size is not as important although again it depends on the design.Good luck.
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