Types of Speaker Wires

Speaker wires are made from different materials, with the most common being copper-clad aluminum and oxygen-free copper. Oxygen-free copper speaker wires are the most popular due to their low resistance and excellent conductivity.

Difference Between Speaker Wires and Audio Cables

Speaker wires carry power signals and have a larger copper core diameter to ensure high-frequency transmission and reduce resistance. In contrast, audio cables carry low-power and current signals, are more susceptible to interference, and typically have a smaller wire diameter with shielding.

Choosing the Right Speaker Wire

The power and number of cores in a speaker wire are not directly related; instead, they depend on the wire's cross-sectional area and material. If your current speaker lacks bass, you might opt for a speaker wire with fewer cores. If the sound lacks depth or three-dimensional quality, a multi-core wire may be more suitable.

For a 100W speaker, a 1-square millimeter or 100-150 strands of oxygen-free copper wire is recommended. For a 200W speaker, a 1.5-2 square millimeter or 200-300 strands of oxygen-free copper wire is suggested. For speakers in the 300W-500W range, a 2.5-3 square millimeter wire should suffice.

Remember, the difference in performance between 200 and 300 strands of speaker wire is minimal in most real-world scenarios. If the wiring distance is relatively long, the speaker wire should be thickened appropriately to avoid excessive power loss and diminished audio quality.

Conclusion

Understanding the type of speaker wire and its application is crucial to achieving the best sound quality from your audio equipment. Always consider the power of your speakers and the wiring distance when selecting the right speaker wire.