QuestionQUESTION: I have an older Sound Craftsman Pro Power 10 amp in perfect condition, 4 channels, 200watts at 8 ohm, 400 at 4 ohm, and I have read on other forums that it is stable to 2 ohms. I use 2 channels for indoor music (not an audiophile, just ambiance music for the house) with 3 pairs of Polks and a Russound level control. I dont even know if that affects the other 2 channels on the amp where my question to you comes in, but thought I would tell all I can.
I want to use the other 2 channels on the amp for outdoor speakers. I want to use the TIC Onmi GS3, and have read extensively and spoken with Steven at TIC who is quite friendly and seems to honestly want to help, not just sell. These are 8 ohm speakers and only moderately efficient (89 db +/- 3 db).
I can settle for just 4 speakers, which would work out nice at 4 ohm loads, but 6 would cover the yard better for only $150 more (plus wire), but the ohms would be 2.66 to the amp.
So all my questions are about wire. I read that the lower ohm load makes the wire size more critical, but I dont know how.
The lengths would be quite long: 100 feet to the closest speakers, 180 to the second set and 250 to the third pair (if I go with them, but they are very optional...just a nice touch as each pair would serve a different area - patio, hammock, and the optional pair at the point on the water). I may even have enough volume with just the 4 speakers to have sound reach the point anyway, given the quality of the speaker and the amp power. When we sit there we would never want it loud anyway, its mainly just for 2-4 people to watch the sunset.
- I have over 100' of 12 gauge 3 wire plus ground UF cable already. I know its solid core, but seem to find that most feel it would be fine, and that for my use I wouldn't notice the talked about "high frequency loss" with solid vs stranded. All I want is background music of sufficient quality and volume for outdoor gatherings, and the ability to occasionally crank it up a bit for bigger parties (where the quality would matter even less due to the "beer factor".
Would that work?
- Can I use the 4th "ground" wire for a speaker wire if I properly insulate the exposed part (which would be minimal and I would do very carefully)? The ground seems the same 12 gauge size visually, and it would give me both channels at least to the first set of speakers. From there to the other speakers I would have to buy new wire anyway and would use what you recommend.
- If I go with the 6 speaker 2.66 ohm setup, does the wire need to be thicker? This may be a deal killer.
- I've read that outdoor low voltage wire comes in large gauges (12 at least, don't know about 10) and that Malibu wire for their low voltage lighting works. I do know that when I once had Malibu low volt lights in a 250+ foot string, there was a marked difference in the brightness at the farthest lights, but that had 14 lights, and I don't know how to relate it to the amp and speakers vs the Malibu DC box and low volt lights.
- basically I need advice on the least expensive wire that still would give me good enough sound quality and volume and not overload the amp.
Any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated, especially on the questions I don't even know to ask.
ANSWER: I would use a 14 or 16 gauge, stranded, direct burial cable. And be sure and silicone your wire nuts at the speaker location.
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QUESTION: OK, stranded direct burial it is. Is it true that the low voltage lighting wire by Malibu (I don't know of others, but am sure you do) will work?
Will certainly use the silicone like you say.
Do you know if there if truth to the statement that if I use 3 pairs (6 speakers)in parallel that the 2.66 ohm load will be dangerously worsened by wire of even 12 gauge at such long runs?
The first 60-75 feet of the run will be through the attic so could I still use the 12 gauge solid 4 strand (3 plus ground which I would insulate) to get out to the firsr speakers, or to a junction box where I switch to stranded?
Alternatively, where can I buy the cheapest stranded direct burial cable in at least a 500-1000 foot roll so I can use that all the way from the amp even inside the house?
AnswerDo not use low voltage lighting wire or the 12g solid 4 strand. Speakers need speaker wire. In regards to the long run, i've never had an issue w/long cable runs (i've done 300-500 foot runs), but i've always had proper power to push them. Loss comes into play when you put to many speakers on one channel like your wanting to do. I would play around with it to see what your ear tells you. I usally send people to monoprice.com for inexpensive cables but i'm not sure what their direct burial stock looks like.
