Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 14:08:28

Title: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 14:08:28
For the Bose subs on the parcel shelf, is this stuff man enough?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_201167_langId_-1_categoryId_165626

It will be surrounded by foam.


I know the price will be a con, but I need it first thing tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 14:12:11
Or is this better?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/heavy-duty-loudspeaker-cable-49?ordercode=N52HU

Hellfrauds and Craplins are almost next door to each other in Chavsville (Banbury)...
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: Dave DND on 28 March 2011, 14:54:34
As the Halfords stuff doesn`t appear to have any spec, I would go with the Maplins one - slightly overkill for the Bose subs, but will not give any problems.

Just for reference, the "standard" size gauge of speaker cable found in the car is generally good up to around 100 Watts of power - anything over over that and you really ought to be putting heavier speaker cable in.

 ;)
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 14:58:44
OK, should I go with a smaller gauge?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/loudspeaker-cable-47?ordercode=N51HU

Nothing in it cost wise (less than a quid on the length I need), but smaller cable easier to run and feed through holes.

As said, it will be covered in foam, which might insulate it thermally...
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: Dave DND on 28 March 2011, 15:03:24
Wouldn`t go any thinner - but should be adequate.

And foam insulation etc, isn`t going to make the blindest bit of difference

 :y
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 15:09:13
Quote
Wouldn`t go any thinner - but should be adequate.

And foam insulation etc, isn`t going to make the blindest bit of difference

 :y
Sorry, was that the first Craplin link, or the 2nd one? If either of the Maplin ones are OK, would one be any better than the other?

Any idea what the (RMS) output of the Bose amp is, doesn't say on it...
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: Dave DND on 28 March 2011, 15:13:14
As long as the cable is "marginally" heavier than the standard stuff going from the back of the head unit to the doors, you shouldn`t need to worry too much.

I think the BOSE amp claims around 50~60Watts RMS - around 120~150 Watts max, so its fairly low power really.

 ;)
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 15:18:20
Brilliant, thanks as always :y
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: Dave DND on 28 March 2011, 15:26:21
Normally I would be a bit fussier over speaker cable sizes, but when using with a standard "low power" amp such as this one, it isn`t really as important as it would be when playing around with aftermarket ones.

 :y
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 15:29:12
Going with the heavier duty one, as that seems to match overall diameter of what Vauxhall have used to the Bose subs. Just means I have to drill a bigger hole and use larger grommets.
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2011, 15:34:00
Quote
I think the BOSE amp claims around 50~60Watts RMS
My old (20yr old!) Kenwood HU didn't have any onboard amps, so had to buy (and find space for!) a pair of Kenwood amps. Only little things (50W stereo, each), ideal for me - I don't like it too loud, but need an amp that can drive speakers, which the usual HU onboard ones struggle to do.

Still got the old Kenwood stuff, wonder if it still works ;D (I used to be able to get Kenwood stuff at employee rates)
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: Dave DND on 28 March 2011, 15:48:34
Back in the days when car audio was built to last !

 ;)
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: VXL V6 on 28 March 2011, 16:23:12
I sense a Bose amp relocation about to take place.  ;D
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: Lampynoiseboy on 06 April 2011, 10:47:07
I love the way they don't tell you the actual size of the cable!

I have an assortment of speaker cable in the shed, from 0.5 - 4.0mm. All double insulated, none of that single figure-8 crap.

How much do you need & what size? I'll send you some
Title: Re: Speaker Cable advice
Post by: TheBoy on 06 April 2011, 21:25:48
Quote
I love the way they don't tell you the actual size of the cable!

I have an assortment of speaker cable in the shed, from 0.5 - 4.0mm. All double insulated, none of that single figure-8 crap.

How much do you need & what size? I'll send you some
No thanks, job was done soon after post started :y