Can I use 24 gauge speaker cable?

"but that sound will lack in the details that were actually recorded" - an unproven opinion! 

@roberjerman so you would actually use 24 gauge wire?

The reason I ask is, 24 gauge is used for telephone connections. It’s a really thin cable that moves nicely out of sight. It’s cheap and available everywhere. It has a solid core that’s supposed to be better. 

Right. I would get it. Who needs a system that sounds better than a telephone anyway?

No! It is too thin (high resistance) for typical runs of 10 to 20 feet. Nothing wrong with 14 gauge zip cord - contrary to what the "golden ears" guys will say! Don't fall for all the blarney about speaker wire - or interconnects!

It’s not the amp, it’s the cable limitation.

There are two ratings for cables, ANY cables, including the AC in your wall. The breakdown insulation voltage, and maximum current in normal ambient temperature.

It is unlikely you will reach the insulation V resistance, but three things can happen if you exceed the cable’s amperage rating. As the current goes up, the conductor heats up, possibly explosively. Once it heats up the following can occur:

1 - The insulation will melt providing an opportunity for a short, and blowing up your amp.

2 - The conductor will melt, also high probability of a short.

3 - A fire can be started from the short or from the explosive conductor sparks or both.

According to this table, 24 Gauge is rated to a maximum of 0.5 Amps.



https://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm


Based on this online calculator, that means you can melt it at ..... 2 Watts!!!

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html

Please use a minimum of 16 gauge, class 2 wiring, which is rated for 3.7 Amps, or about 100 Watts.

Of course, thicker gauges reduce the speaker/cable impedance, and therefore improve the damping factor.  This gets worse with long runs, so if you are going more than 10', would strongly recommend at least 14 gauge.

Best,

Erik