Choosing the right Wires & Cables
Power & Ground Wire
There are a few options for power and ground wire outside of brand preference. Most car audio systems use 4/0 or 1/0 wire for power. There are also options of OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) or CCA (Aluminum Core).
Running clean power with low resistence is vital to optimal power and sound. Running wires can be time consuming and dangerous if not install by a professional.
***PLEASE NOTE*** All information on this site is for educational and informational processes. Any guidelines, tips or recommendations are considered general knowledge and we strongly encourage you to consult with a professional before installing, adjusting, or altering a car audio system.
We recommend starting with 1/0 OFC from the beginning, this is due to the labor intensive process of installation. Installing a high quality wire with mutiple runs of wire from the beginning we prevent paying or performing this installation multiple times due to ugrades.
For more on OFC vs CCA check out this video from Sonic Electronix
Speaker Wire
Just like power wire, speaker wire comes in a variety of types and sizes. Remember the cleanier the power, the cleanier and more efficient the signal. Be sure to upgrade your speaker wire accordingly. General most people use 12 gauge speaker wire. Same as with power wire, you will want the size of your wire to properly compliment the amount of power that will be put through it.
RCA Cables
RCA Cables carry the signal from your head unit to the amplifiers. Invest in a good set to ensure a clean signal. AUX Cords are used to connect a device such as a smart phone to your head unit.
When purchasing wire and cables be sure to have a precise measurement of how much to order. You may run several runs to the back of the vehicle or have a lot of high and midrange speakers requiring a larger roll.
Find the right balance between quality and budget. Buying products that are cheap and not quality could result in replacement and expenses in the future. Best Practice is to start right and not have to do anything twice.
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