Members MrLeadFoot Posted July 10, 2013 Members Share Posted July 10, 2013 I currently have two 12 gauge speaker wires, a couple of 14 gauge wires, and a slew of 16 gauge wires in a mono live performance application. I typically run one of the 12 gauge wires from one 700 watt channel of a QSC PLX3402 to an 18" sub. I run the other 12 gauge wire from the other channel of the amp to the first main, and daisy-chain to another main using a 14 gauge wire. Here's my question(s): Does running the 12 gauge to the first main, then using a 14 gauge wire to connect the first main to a second main present any sonic issues, such as causing the first main to be louder than others? Does this cause any thermal issues? Given the currently available wires, would it be better to step down to a 14 gauge for the sub, and use the other 12 gauge for the second main? Would there be any similar issues if on those rare occasions when I need 4 mains, I end up using mixing in 16 gauge wires to the other mains? Thanks in advance for any insight, or suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members A.M.Productions Posted July 10, 2013 Members Share Posted July 10, 2013 MrLeadFoot wrote: I currently have two 12 gauge speaker wires, a couple of 14 gauge wires, and a slew of 16 gauge wires in a mono live performance application. I typically run one of the 12 gauge wires from one 700 watt channel of a QSC PLX3402 to an 18" sub. I run the other 12 gauge wire from the other channel of the amp to the first main, and daisy-chain to another main using a 14 gauge wire. Here's my question(s): Does running the 12 gauge to the first main, then using a 14 gauge wire to connect the first main to a second main present any sonic issues, such as causing the first main to be louder than others? Does this cause any thermal issues? Given the currently available wires, would it be better to step down to a 14 gauge for the sub, and use the other 12 gauge for the second main? Would there be any similar issues if on those rare occasions when I need 4 mains, I end up using mixing in 16 gauge wires to the other mains? Thanks in advance for any insight, or suggestions. as far as the mains, the difrence should be minimal if the cable is under 10 ft. Keep that 12 guage on the subs at all times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrLeadFoot Posted July 10, 2013 Author Members Share Posted July 10, 2013 A.M.Productions wrote: MrLeadFoot wrote: I currently have two 12 gauge speaker wires, a couple of 14 gauge wires, and a slew of 16 gauge wires in a mono live performance application. I typically run one of the 12 gauge wires from one 700 watt channel of a QSC PLX3402 to an 18" sub. I run the other 12 gauge wire from the other channel of the amp to the first main, and daisy-chain to another main using a 14 gauge wire. Here's my question(s): Does running the 12 gauge to the first main, then using a 14 gauge wire to connect the first main to a second main present any sonic issues, such as causing the first main to be louder than others? Does this cause any thermal issues? Given the currently available wires, would it be better to step down to a 14 gauge for the sub, and use the other 12 gauge for the second main? Would there be any similar issues if on those rare occasions when I need 4 mains, I end up using mixing in 16 gauge wires to the other mains? Thanks in advance for any insight, or suggestions. as far as the mains, the difrence should be minimal if the cable is under 10 ft. Keep that 12 guage on the subs at all times! Thanks for emphatically telling me to keep the 12 gauge on the sub. That means something to me. :-) I should have clarified lengths. Typical run to the first main is 20-25 feet. Same from the first main to the second main. Now, what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomm Williams Posted July 10, 2013 Members Share Posted July 10, 2013 Due to physical layout issues, at times Iv'e had to run 150' runs off one channel with 50' runs off the other (12ga) my ears couldn't hear any significant difference. I'm sure the math says otherwise but not my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pro Sound Guy Posted July 10, 2013 Members Share Posted July 10, 2013 This is a nice page http://www.electrovoice.com/cableloss.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrLeadFoot Posted July 10, 2013 Author Members Share Posted July 10, 2013 Not much difference even between 12 and 16 gauge to a single subwoofer 25 ft. away. Of course, I will keep the 12 gauge on the sub since I already have it, but nice to know I can shave alot of carrying weight and continuing to use the skinnier wires on everything else, unless I run low impedance over a considerable distance. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted July 11, 2013 Members Share Posted July 11, 2013 Car stereo info is generally full of errors, this one is no exception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members loudsubz Posted July 11, 2013 Members Share Posted July 11, 2013 I was referring to the wire length calculator more so than the info on the page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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