The Oldsmobile Connection

valley olds · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Edinburg, Texas

Whats up OC members, I just upgraded my sound system (really like it a lot) and was wondering if replacing stock wire with a higher "quality" wire will show any improvements in SPL's or sound quality. Im guessing it doesn't, but Im just wondering that some of you may know from experience, and if it helps just a little then maybe its a worthwhile investment.

91parkave · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 516

unless your wire is damaged dont waste your time.......from my experience it never showed any SQ gains of any kind upgrading, the only time i'd bother is if im running amps to them.

floodz · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Orlando

I wouldn't do it either. The stock speaker wire is fine. Even if you were to replace it, you wouldn't see that much of a difference.

valley olds · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Edinburg, Texas

I am running amps for all my speakers but even like that if it sounds fine right now and if we all believe its not worth it then It probably isnt

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3039 Location: Michigan, USA

Yea, probably not worth it, unless you're running 200wrms to your speakers, then it might be worth upgrading the wire.

I always run new wire when I install my amps.

TOC Admin
Brando

strokercutlass · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 370 Location: Wis

I'd have to agree to disagree......it all depends on the size of the wire you're currently running......if you're running an extremely thin wire (say for example 22-24 ga) then I'd definetly upgrade to a thicker,heavier duty wire.........it's all a matter of resistance....less resistance (aka. larger diameter wire) will produce a better flow of current to the speakers vs. an extremely thin wire. Picture running water thru a garden hose, then thru a fire hose.........or better yet, would you use a cheap azz set of RCA's from your deck to the amps, or spend the $$$ for a good quality set? Same principle.........on a stock deck and speakers you probably will see little difference, but on a single or multi amp system you'd definetly see better response and clarity........just my .02 cents....

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1228 Location: Ames, IA

strokercutlass wrote: I'd have to agree to disagree......it all depends on the size of the wire you're currently running......if you're running an extremely thin wire (say for example 22-24 ga) then I'd definetly upgrade to a thicker,heavier duty wire.........it's all a matter of resistance....less resistance (aka. larger diameter wire) will produce a better flow of current to the speakers vs. an extremely thin wire. Picture running water thru a garden hose, then thru a fire hose.........or better yet, would you use a cheap azz set of RCA's from your deck to the amps, or spend the $$$ for a good quality set? Same principle.........on a stock deck and speakers you probably will see little difference, but on a single or multi amp system you'd definetly see better response and clarity........just my .02 cents....

I agree completely with you in theory. My only thought on it is that there comes a point where increasing the size of the wire won't help the speaker, because the speaker is at its performance limit. In automotive speakers, I would say this performance limit is low compared to home theater type of audio. I believe you can go quite a ways in the car audio aftermarket before you reach the limit of most stock wire, if it's in good shape.

To follow your analogy- It wouldn't make sense to use a fire hose, when all you have is a garden hose nozzle. :lol: