Choosing the right speaker cable for your equipment and installation environment is important for system performance, reliability, and in some cases Building Regulations (see LSHF).
2-Core or 4-Core? - Passive speakers require a positive and negative connection from each amplifier channel. Therefore a stereo amplifier running two speakers (left/right) will require a separate 2-core cable for each speaker. However, single stereo speakers which feature dual voice coils and separate left/right inputs must be treated as two separate speakers in one unit and be wired with either 4-core cable or 2x 2-core cables.
Wire Gauge (AWG) - Wire Gauge or AWG (American Wire Gauge) denotes the thickness of the cable conductor. Cables with a smaller AWG number have a larger cross-sectional area. Thicker conductors can carry higher currents making them more suitable for long cable runs and high power systems. Most typical domestic multiroom audio and home cinema installations will only require standard 16 AWG cable. Whereas for high power home cinemas and multiroom audio speakers requiring 30m+ cables, we would recommend a thicker 14 AWG cable.
LSHF - Low Smoke Halogen Free cable (sometimes referred to as LSZH or LSOH) is a cable type which features a fire rated outer jacket. Unlike PVC cable, LSHF cable does not produce harmful smoke and fumes when exposed to intense heat and flames. LSHF cable is often a Building Regulations requirement in commercial applications, but in the interests of safety, we recommend that it is used for all custom install speaker cabling including domestic.
Weatherproof - Our outdoor weatherproof speaker cable is designed to cope with harsh environments. It features a UV resistant jacket and water blocking tape to withstand environmental exposure. Where this speaker cable needs to be buried underground, please use corrugated conduit to protect it from plant roots and sharp stones.