16 Gauge, 4-Conductor, Behind-the-Wall Speaker Cable

Run this 4-conductor cable (+ and - for Left; + and - for Right) to a pair of speakers by running one cable to the first speaker and then continuing to the second. At the first speaker, you will strip back the outer protective jacket to reveal all four conductors inside. Then, cut and strip two of the conductors for the first speaker (+ and -). The other two cables continue (uncut) to the end of the cable to be stripped and connected to the second speaker.

4-conductor cable is also often used to run from your amplifier to a stereo volume control. Two 2-conductor cables are then used to continue the signal from the volume control to each speaker (one to the left speaker and one to the right speaker).

Speaker cable is made of individual strands of copper that are twisted together to result in the cable's thickness, or gauge. The lower the gauge, the thicker the cable, e.g. 14 gauge is thicker than 16 gauge. Generally speaking, thicker cable will result in less signal loss over a given length. With the recent rise in the cost of copper, we now offer 16 gauge cable as a more economical means of running all of your speaker cable. For many of our customers, the money saved vs 14 gauge cable is better spent upgrading their speakers. For others, quality 16 gauge cable is sufficient for their listening taste and the price savings helps keep their project on budget.

When evaluating cable, it is also important to know the number of individual strands that are used to produce the overall gauge. Electrons will follow the path of least resistance which tends to be on the surface area of the copper. So the more individual strands used, the greater the available surface area, and thus less signal loss. Typical CL3-rated 16 gauge speaker cable that you'll find at consumer electronics stores is manufactured with a strand count of 12. In contrast, ours utilizes 41 individual strands of 99.99% oxygen free cable.

Some popular cable manufacturers also use this high strand count but they will cost you about double our prices simply because they sell through distributors and retailers. And with the recent rise in the price of copper (due to strong worldwide demand), the amount you'll spend wiring your home for sound has become a significant part of your home audio budget.

With HTD speaker cable you get the quality you need at a price that won't break your budget.