Run new speaker wire or use existing?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 497
Likes: 15
From: Niagara Falls NY
Run new speaker wire or use existing?
Does anyone know what gauge wire Chevy used in the stock Bose audio system? Obviously, it's a lot easier if you can just re-use the existing wiring, but I have to believe that rewiring would be the recommended solution...especially when using external amps. Opinions??
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 18
From: Chicago Illinois
St. Jude Donor '12
Short answer: run new wire.
Long answer: I assume you have a C6 and I believe the stock wiring is 18 gauge. You will want to run a thicker gauge wire to your aftermarket speakers. I ran 14 gauge to my crossover, and then 14 gauge from the crossovers to the 6.5" speakers and 16 gauge from the crossovers to the tweeters.
Long answer: I assume you have a C6 and I believe the stock wiring is 18 gauge. You will want to run a thicker gauge wire to your aftermarket speakers. I ran 14 gauge to my crossover, and then 14 gauge from the crossovers to the 6.5" speakers and 16 gauge from the crossovers to the tweeters.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 497
Likes: 15
From: Niagara Falls NY
Short answer: run new wire.
Long answer: I assume you have a C6 and I believe the stock wiring is 18 gauge. You will want to run a thicker gauge wire to your aftermarket speakers. I ran 14 gauge to my crossover, and then 14 gauge from the crossovers to the 6.5" speakers and 16 gauge from the crossovers to the tweeters.
Long answer: I assume you have a C6 and I believe the stock wiring is 18 gauge. You will want to run a thicker gauge wire to your aftermarket speakers. I ran 14 gauge to my crossover, and then 14 gauge from the crossovers to the 6.5" speakers and 16 gauge from the crossovers to the tweeters.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Less power drop over the wire. Less heat, too.
This will help decide:
http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/spe...rassistant.swf
There's really no downside to going a size larger except cost. Make sure you're getting pure copper cable, too.
Don't waste money on "premium" cable like Monster.
This will help decide:
http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/spe...rassistant.swf
There's really no downside to going a size larger except cost. Make sure you're getting pure copper cable, too.
Don't waste money on "premium" cable like Monster.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Less power drop over the wire. Less heat, too.
This will help decide:
http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/spe...rassistant.swf
There's really no downside to going a size larger except cost. Make sure you're getting pure copper cable, too.
Don't waste money on "premium" cable like Monster.
This will help decide:
http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/spe...rassistant.swf
There's really no downside to going a size larger except cost. Make sure you're getting pure copper cable, too.
Don't waste money on "premium" cable like Monster.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
The relationship between volume and power is a confusing subject.
It takes roughly double the power to get a 3db difference.
For example, say you have a 12" sub that can handle 1000 watts.
You are running it at 300 watts.
You buy a new 600 watt amplifier.
In a perfect world, you have gained 3db in output.
(A similar effect can be had by adding a second 300 watt subwoofer rather than doubling the power of the first.)
Here's the next wrench: +3db, despite doubling of power (or adding a second driver) does not sound twice as loud.
If you wanted your sub to sound twice as loud, you would need to increase your output by 10db.
WRT to wire: Too much power loss over wire can become problematic for reasons other than DB loss. It's safer to go larger but doesn't really "make a difference" by oversizing.
There are of course pros and cons for each, but this should shed a little light on the basics.
It takes roughly double the power to get a 3db difference.
For example, say you have a 12" sub that can handle 1000 watts.
You are running it at 300 watts.
You buy a new 600 watt amplifier.
In a perfect world, you have gained 3db in output.
(A similar effect can be had by adding a second 300 watt subwoofer rather than doubling the power of the first.)
Here's the next wrench: +3db, despite doubling of power (or adding a second driver) does not sound twice as loud.
If you wanted your sub to sound twice as loud, you would need to increase your output by 10db.
WRT to wire: Too much power loss over wire can become problematic for reasons other than DB loss. It's safer to go larger but doesn't really "make a difference" by oversizing.
There are of course pros and cons for each, but this should shed a little light on the basics.
Last edited by Kale; Oct 1, 2011 at 02:32 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
i use 14 on my midranges... 380 watts each. 16 is likely fine for most runs with some flexibility in case you upgrade later.
I used 12 for my sub when I ran 1200 watts to it. The trick is that the shorter the wire, the smaller it can be.
I used 12 for my sub when I ran 1200 watts to it. The trick is that the shorter the wire, the smaller it can be.
Last edited by Kale; Oct 1, 2011 at 05:32 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Running a heavier gauge speaker wire gives you the freedom safely run it a bit longer to the amplifier for optimum placement, which is away from other wiring harnesses as much as possible and never directly parallel to any main power wiring. It should be at least a few inches away and optimally on the opposite side of the cabin or major structure, like the transmission tunnel. You can safely cross over other wiring but it's best if it happens at 90 degrees to avoid picking up noise. Same goes for RCA cables to the amps, but the good twisted pair/shielded cables are less sensitive.
Before running the cables, wrap them in electrical tape and/or expandable sleeving to prevent chaffing and short circuits.
Before running the cables, wrap them in electrical tape and/or expandable sleeving to prevent chaffing and short circuits.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
So I will need to keep my RCA's away from any other wires. I plan to run them down the side of the tunnel. Should that be ok?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
