THHN vs. Speaker Cable: Can I Use THHN in Speakers
Speaker cable is the cable that gets mentioned the most regarding interchangeable applications of all kinds. While it is designed for speakers, it is still a standard copper wire at heart. In this blog, we discussed the conditions for THHN to be used in place of speaker wire.
Can I Use THHN For Speaker Wire?
Using THHN instead of speaker wire is totally possible. Both THHN and speaker cables have a copper conductor, so logically, one can be used for the other. This has no radical limitations, and THHN and THWN will work as a speaker wire.
In fact, it is common to replace speaker cables with other types of copper cables and use speaker cables in applications other than speakers. You can read more about it in the post about using speaker cables in a thermostat and in the one that deals with using coaxial cables for speakers.
Reasons To Use THHN as a Speaker Wire
- You have excessive THHN wire on your hands and do not have a speaker wire.
- Your applications require a bigger gauge than speaker wire available to you.
- You want to save money, as speaker wires are significantly more expensive than THHN.
Potential Cons Of Using THHN as a Speaker Wire
- The quality of the sound may vary. However, it depends on the quality of the cable that you use and not that much on the status of the cable. Some differences in the sound quality are subjective, while others are legit. In any case, the differences in the sound between THHN and the speaker cables are not to the point of any of these cables giving a low-quality sound.
Where Can THHN Cables Be Used As Speaker Wire?
THHN/THWN cables can be used as speaker wire in any applications, including your house. Since THHN is not just used for line wiring, this should not surprise anyone. Using THHN/ THWN for speaker cables is a common solution for movie theaters.
Which THHN Wire Should I Use for Speakers?
While it is possible to use THHN wire for speakers, there are still several details that should be taken into consideration. Let's cover all of them real quick.
Size and Length
When it comes to wiring speakers, sizing matters. Normally, you should use 18 AWG wire for a 25 foot-run with an 8 ohm speaker. If your run is 35 feet or longer, opt for a 16 AWG wire. Running copper wires for lengths longer than 50 feet is not recommended.
Flexibility
Speaker wires are flexible; therefore, you need to ensure that your THHN wire is flexible for this application to work correctly. Using stranded THHN wire in your speakers is one way to achieve this. Also, the smaller the gauge, the more flexible the THHN wire in speakers. Solid THHN/THWN is not recommended for speaker wires, as it is just not flexible enough.
Consider Twisting Pairs Of THHN For Speakers
THHN/THWN cables can be twisted if they are used as speaker wires, even though it is not a necessity in any way. However, twisting cables helps for easier identification and installation. Twisting also works best for dealing with electromagnetic interference. If there is no space in the pipe and twisting is not possible, simply skip this step.
Where To Buy?
Whether you choose speaker cables or THHN/THWN-2 for your speaker, Nassau National Cable has you covered with quality cables at excellent prices. Available speaker cables include:
