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Can I use 24 gauge speaker cable?

I’ve been trying to google this but I only get vague answers.
I want to know if I can use 24 gauge cable as speaker cable. And if not: why not?
Usual answers are “no, you should use xx gauge”, but I’m looking for why is that? Will the speakers of the amp go off in flames if the resistance is too high? I don’t even get that because the resistance isn’t even that much of a difference between speaker cable sizes, compared to the speakers resistance.

I’m talking about ca 16ft / 5m distance between amp and speaker. By the way should that measure 16 ft or double (32ft because one cable is plus and the other minus)?
sjeesjie
213runnin
914 posts
 
Good lord, who comes up with these thread ideas?  Okay, I guess we know who, but still...
davidclarke
43 posts
 
It is a function of length and current.  So it should be great to run a tweeter two feet away.

Seriously,  How far away do you want to put the amp from the speakers?  How big is your power amp in watts?  What speakers?

A simple answer is a smaller gage is better.  When I hook up even small built in wall speakers we run 14 gage in the walls.

martinb0820
23 posts
 
Some interesting reading on the topic: https://www.biline.ca/audio_critic/mags/The_Audio_Critic_16_r.pdf

"The Wire and Cable Scene: Facts, Fictions, and Frauds Part II" starts on page 51. The article is almost thirty years old but the science hasn’t changed.If you want to cut to the chase, "So what’s the best thing to do" is on page 56.

Here is another interesting article on the topic: http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/art_spkr_cable.pdf
sandthemall
544 posts
 
@OP:

A higher the gauge number = thinner cable

A lower gauge number = thicker cable

24 is considered pretty thin for the distances you want to run.

Going a little thicker (lower number) than required will do no harm so try to err on the that side if possible.

There are rules of thumb for gauge/distance.


limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,720 posts
 
Ok I have 6 tube amps all sound great.I use 10 gauge and 12 gauge speaker wire.Our ears only hear so much in a certain range.if you think that 6,000 cables sound better ,Good for you spend your money.Sometimes I feel like some rich audio piles think the more I spend,.The more I  will make my system  sound better than anyone else.Thats not always true.But most of these guys ,I feel listen to there systems with wallet ears.
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