Wiring ??s
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City , Oregon USA
Wiring ??s
Given the choice of putting the crossovers in the back and running separate wires up to the mids and the tweeters or mounting the crossovers in the door by the speakers which would be better?
I was also wondering what size wire to run. The literature that came with my sub (JL 10W7) says #8 for all of the different sizes, 8" to 13". That seems pretty big for the smaller drivers. I'm running a 600 watt amp to it. The fronts are being fed with a 150 wpc amp. Would #12 be big enought for a single feed to the crossover? What if I bi-wired the mids and tweeters with the crossovers in the rears? I've got some nice #16 plenum rated cable that should be able to feed the tweeters.
I was also wondering what size wire to run. The literature that came with my sub (JL 10W7) says #8 for all of the different sizes, 8" to 13". That seems pretty big for the smaller drivers. I'm running a 600 watt amp to it. The fronts are being fed with a 150 wpc amp. Would #12 be big enought for a single feed to the crossover? What if I bi-wired the mids and tweeters with the crossovers in the rears? I've got some nice #16 plenum rated cable that should be able to feed the tweeters.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,877
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
My non-professional opinion
The more wire you run, the more opportunity you provide to introduce noise into your system, so I would want to limit the # of wires I run long distances. I'm not a fan of mounting crossovers in doors either so I'd mount the x-over under the dash. A door mounted x-over is inaccessible and subjected to a pretty good jolt everytime you close that door.
Wire to speakers, I'd say 18awg minimum. 12awg would be plenty for all of your speakers. HTH
Wire to speakers, I'd say 18awg minimum. 12awg would be plenty for all of your speakers. HTH
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
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From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I mounted my Xovers in the back with the amps. Yes, i had to run extra wire, but all the Xovers are together and easily accessable for adjustment and tuning. I was a little concerned about noise so i ran the power/ground/RCA cables through the middle and the speaker wires near the door sills. (used 16 awg monster cable wire btw, cheap and effective)
I'm using 10awg wire for my subwoofer (JL12w6v2) and that's plenty of power. Anything larger than 12awg wire and it's not likly that you'll be able to fit the stripped wire in the terminals of the sub box.
I'm using 10awg wire for my subwoofer (JL12w6v2) and that's plenty of power. Anything larger than 12awg wire and it's not likly that you'll be able to fit the stripped wire in the terminals of the sub box.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
You dont hve to worry about picking up noise with the speaker wires themselves.
I use 16 gauge for everything. 300 watts on my fronts, and 1200 watts on my sub.
Crossovers in doors make them nicely tucked away, but then you can't adjust them...
I use 16 gauge for everything. 300 watts on my fronts, and 1200 watts on my sub.
Crossovers in doors make them nicely tucked away, but then you can't adjust them...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
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From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
RadioFlyer I can see you made an effort to avoid noise, but I'm afraid running the RCA's with the power wire is about the worst thing you can do. As Kale mentioned, you're not going to pick up much in the way of noise with speaker wires, but RCA's next to power is something to be avoided if at all possible.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,020
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From: Oregon City , Oregon USA
Thanks guys. I've got a chunk of #12 for the sub. The #16 is left over from my home theater install. It's got a good heavy jacket and is a twisted pair configuration so it shouldn't pick up any interference.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
RadioFlyer I can see you made an effort to avoid noise, but I'm afraid running the RCA's with the power wire is about the worst thing you can do. As Kale mentioned, you're not going to pick up much in the way of noise with speaker wires, but RCA's next to power is something to be avoided if at all possible.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
RadioFlyer I can see you made an effort to avoid noise, but I'm afraid running the RCA's with the power wire is about the worst thing you can do. As Kale mentioned, you're not going to pick up much in the way of noise with speaker wires, but RCA's next to power is something to be avoided if at all possible.
