Speaker Wire Alternative

[hp050903]

I have a lot of ethernet cable, so can I use that instead of speaker wire. Ethernet cable has 8 - 24 guage wire in it. Can I use 4 - 24 guage wire as the positive (RED) and 4 - 24 guage wire as negetive (BLACK)? Which would make it 18 gauge wire because 4 - 24 gauge wire equals 18 gauge wire.

 

[kanewolf]

Could it work? Probably. Your wire gauge math checks out. Eighteen gauge speaker wire is still pretty small. As long as you don't have a 1000W amp, it will probably work.

 

[hp050903]

I have a 200 W amp so I should be okay

 

[kanewolf]

I wouldn't do what you propose. The small cost or purpose made wire, is to me, worth it.

A 200W amp will only be used fully if you play music loud. If that is the case, then spend the $20 for purpose made wire -- https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2747

 

[USAFRet]

100 feet of 14 ga speaker wire - $16
https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Gauge-100ft-Speaker-Touch/dp/B01CSZAYF0

Will your ethernet mashup work? Probably.
But I know what I'd go with.

 

[hp050903]

I have a approx. 500ft run and it would get costly if I purchase speaker wire opposed to 2 boxes of 1000ft cat 5 cables with I already have

 

[USAFRet]

I have a approx. 500ft run and it would get costly if I purchase speaker wire opposed to 2 boxes of 1000ft cat 5 cables with I already have

This is why more details are better.
At that distance, thicker is better.

At room size lengths, your ethernet cable config would probably work.
500 feet? You want heavier gauge wire.

"Costly" isn't costly if the alternative does not work.

But...try it. See what happens.

 

[hp050903]

Thanks. It works perfectly!! Great sound quality and bass through the speakers

 

[scottythompson091]

Could it work? Probably. Your wire gauge math checks out. Eighteen gauge speaker wire is still pretty small. As long as you don't have a 1000W amp, it will probably work.

 

[scottythompson091]

The thing about Ethernet cable is each group of wire is a different length the the other. 4 different lengths in cat 6 notice how each pair has more or less spins per inch or foot. If u used very long runs of e cable it would change your sound. Although probably not noticeable in short runs it will most definitely alter your sound on long runs. What that length is I do not know.