Is OFC better than CCA?
CCA stands for Copper Clad Aluminum, an alternative to the more vaunted OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) cable. On the whole, CCA is a source of continuing controversy, especially among the old-school 12V crowd and car audio purists, given OFC is a far better conductor of power.
How much better is OFC wire?
When molten copper is cast and drawn into a conductor, the process to make an OFC conductor reduces the oxygen content of the wire. If all is done perfectly, the copper-oxygen content is around 42 parts per million (PPM) vs. a conventional copper with content that is roughly six times that amount.
Is OFC pure copper?
This is a 99.99% pure copper with 0.0005% oxygen content. It achieves a minimum 101% IACS conductivity rating. This copper is finished to a final form in a carefully regulated, oxygen-free environment.
What happens if speaker wire is too small?
The only problem with using too-thin wire is that if you put enough current through it that it melts, then your amp won’t be too happy. The amplifier will be quite happy if the wires melt and fuse, leaving an open circuit with no load.
Does OFC wire corrode?
OFC is more refined to remove the oxygen and other impurities that typically cause corrosion. This increased corrosion resistance makes OFC the perfect wire for car audio applications. To add to this corrosion resistance, the copper wire strands can be treated with a coating of tin or silver.
Is tinned OFC better than OFC?
Tinned copper will not tarnish or oxidize like bare copper. Even Oxygen Free Copper (OFC), which is copper that has been refined to a purity of at least 99.95%, over time when exposed to the elements will tarnish.
What gauge is factory speaker wire?
The most common audio speaker wires are 12 Gauge, 14 Gauge, 16 Gauge, and 18 Gauge. Stranded wire is more flexible, easier to route, can withstand vibration and flexing than solid wire; therefore, it is more commonly used in audio speaking wiring.
Is OFC wire silver?
This wiring wire is mainly used for internal wiring and provides excellent conductivity thanks to its silver plated OFC copper conductor.
What is the best wire for speakers?
– Best overall: Monoprice 102747 12AWG Speaker Wire – Best for car audio: InstallGear 14 AWG Speaker Wire – Best for home theater: MaxBrite 16 AWG Speaker Wire – Best bi-wire: Monoprice Access Series 4-Conductor – Best for outdoors: GearIT 14 AWG Outdoor Speaker Wire – Best value: AmazonBasics 16AWG Speaker Wire
What is the best wire gauge for speakers?
– Eight-ohm speakers: 16-18AWG for 50 feet or less, 14AWG up to 200 feet, 12AWG for longer runs – Six-ohm speakers: 16AWG for 50 feet or less, 12-14AWG for longer runs – Four-ohm speakers: 12AWG for 100 feet or less, 8-10AWG for longer runs
What is the best speaker wire size?
Speaker wire size quick guide. For most cases using home or car speakers (not subwoofers) 18 gauge (18AWG) is fine. 18AWG wire is good for about 50W for 4 ohm (car) speakers and 100W for 8 ohm (home stereo) speakers. For higher power systems or longer lengths, 16 gauge is a great choice.
What size of speaker wire should I use?
American Wire Gauge Sizes Recommended Cable Size by Power and Distance Total RMS Power (watts) Distance 4 feet 8 feet 12 feet 16 feet 20 feet 100 10 gauge 10