Speaker wire comes in many lengths and gauges.  The most commonly asked question is what gauge do I need?  This depends on the audio system.  The gauge of the wire is the number of the copper strands inside the vinyl sleeve, a smaller gauge number indicates thicker wire (with the ability to carry a higher wattage).  In order to carry the proper wattage to the speakers from the amplifier or receiver, you need to select the correct gauge of speaker wire.

The wattage rating indicates the approximate amount of watts per channel (to each speaker) which are being output from the stereo amplifier or receiver. When in doubt use a larger gauge (thicker) wire.


What is Speaker Wire Polarity?
The positive and negative (or red and black) connectors located on each stereo channel (right and left) of your amplifier and on each of your audio speakers.

Why is Polarity important?
Speaker wire has a mark or strip on one of the conductors this is to indicate polarity of the wire.  When installing speakers to the output of an amplifier you need to observe the proper polarity.  This is particularly important when installing a surround sound system with front and rear speakers.  If the polarity is not followed then the results will be poor balance of sound and even cancellation of some frequencies.

Be sure that if the wire marked with the strip is inserted into the red terminal (positive) on your speaker it needs to be inserted into the red terminal on your receiver or amplifier. The remaining wire is then inserted into the other black connection (of each stereo channel). It does not matter which terminal you insert the striped wire into first as long as you connect it the same way for both speakers.