speaker cables for outdoor use

[ikhan42]

hey all,

I posted a question on outdoor speakers that didnt get any responses but will post a question about cable for outdor speakers and see if I get any responses for that otherwise I will just assume outdoor audio is to hard for people to comment on.

I am looking at installing some outdoor rock speakers in my back yard and wan to run audio cable outside the cable lenghts will be approximately 40metres for the longest run and what I have read is that the short run need the cable to be the same lenght as the longet run. The cable will be buried under the ground but will be run thru conduit tubing to protect it from the weather and from being cut etc.

I have read on the web that I need to use direct burial low voltage cabling but I am not birectly burying it as mentioned it will be run in conduit.

What cable can I use to get the best outcome for the outdoor speakers, is it safe to use monster cable ?

what is the maximum run I can have for audio cable ?

Thanks for the help guys.

ikhan42

[BWRX]

Forget monster cable. You want some cheap outdoor speaker cables? Buy a long extension cord and cut off the plugs.

[imix500]

Yeah forget moster cable. If you must run in conduit just use THHN or equivilent. #12 stranded will be fine.

Edit: Max Length depends on power. #12 should be good up to 100ft up to around 1000W. Beyond that just step it up to #10.

[Eva]

Forget about 40 meter runs of speaker cable, the wire gauges required in order to get a reasonable damping factor and low attenuation are absolutely insane (and it's both a waste of money and copper). If you are dealing with hi-fi or sound reinforecement stuff then put the amplifiers near the speakers (or use/build self-powered speakers) and carry the mains supply and the signal (through a balanced line) from whatever you need instead. If you are dealing with PA ambient music or paging stuff, then use a 100V line and 100V transformers at both ends.

[Cal Weldon]

Originally posted by BWRX
Buy a long extension cord and cut off the plugs.

That will be fine for "rock" speakers.

Belden also has some 10 ga. audio cable meant to go in the ground. Is the conduit for something other than the wire?

[Cal Weldon]

Eva etal,

This is what they are looking at:

http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/hfulpebrrosp.html

[ikhan42]

BWRX

Are you serious about the long extension cord or are you just pulling my leg ?

Eva,

I cant put the amp near the speakers the amp will be in the house protected from the weather and I am not too sure if a phonic amp would like to be put outside in the weather, and as far as the speakers are concerned no one seems to make powered outdoor speakers. The speakers I was looking at buying are from osd (outdoor speaker depot) and my search for powered garden or rock speakers cam up with nothing.

The music will be used as ambient music moct of the time bt att times will be used for hosting parties in the back yard. Hence the need to 300watt speakers and a 500watt subwoofer (which I am thinking will be a waste of money )

Thanks
ikhan42

[imix500]

Oh, I thought you meant these:
http://meyersound.com/mseries/m3d/

[ikhan42]

The conduit I have run is specifically for the speaker wire and nothing else I am running 240v power in another conduit for lights etc but that will be in seperate conduit tubing.

ikhan42

[ikhan42]

yes cal that is the speakers I am looking at getting but I dont know anything about them except what is on the manufacturers website which ofcourse is all positive feed back LOL