Does a bigger speaker wire make a difference?

Yes, it does. A wire size affects the resistance of a wire. Therefore, you should choose the right size of wires.

Besides, when you buy speaker cables, pay attention to the wire gauge. The smaller the gauge number, generally, the thicker conductor is. People measure the standard size of wire in AWG and inches. According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), a wire’s gauge, or thickness, determines its current-carrying capacity.

What wire is better to use, thick or thin wire?

Thin wire conducts electricity better because it has a smaller diameter and resistance. However, thicker wire is more elastic than thinner ones. So it will not break apart if you put it under pressure.

Thick wire has more capacity, which means it can transfer larger currents over shorter distances with less loss. So, thick wires are suitable for lighting because they can transfer more power using less energy consumption, while thin wires are suitable for devices. For example, a thick stereo wire is better for high-power appliances since it has more resistance and will not move or flex.

A thin wire is suitable for low-power appliances because it uses less energy and can easily be stretched and bent to fit in any place.

The wire thickness also depends on the kind of insulation. There are several big brands of stereo wire, and some of them have very thick insulation. The first thing that comes to mind is the more reliable wire, as it has a larger thickness. However, this assumption is not always accurate as extremely thick insulation can cause signal loss or noise under certain conditions.

What is better to use long or short speaker wire?

The long stereo wire is more convenient for connection and adjustment. On the other hand, it can be easily lost or damaged. The short stereo wire is more resistant to external noise.

So, both of them have their pros and cons; therefore, it depends on what you will use them for. For example, the long wire is suitable for connecting to a receiver that allows adjusting the volume at home since such an audio receiver is usually mounted some distance away. On the other hand, the short stereo wire is suitable for use with a small audio receiver mounted within reach of your hand. Besides, it’s an excellent option to adjust volume while driving or doing other things at home since it is more resistant to external noise.

How to choose the right size of speaker wire?

Buying the incorrect length of cable can also cause noise and distortion issues in your sound system. It is therefore important to choose the correct length of wire for your sound system.
To find the correct length, you need to know the distance from the amplifier to the speaker and what gauge of wire you plan on using.

The longer the cables run, the lower the final impedance value for optimal power transfer without noise issues. Therefore, if you are using an amplifier with high output impedance, it may be best to use the lower wire gauge.