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Upgrading subwoofer wire.

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Old Jun 14, 2007 | 05:15 PM
  #1  
d4rin's Avatar
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Upgrading subwoofer wire.

I'm getting a used amp from my buddy, a Rockford Fosgate 5002 and it's rated at 500 watts rms x 1. And it will be the only amp in my car.

Right now I'm using 8 guage wire to power my small MTX amp that is 150rms x 1, and the subwoofer wiring is 12 guage.

I was wondering would it be smart to upgrade the subwoofer wire inside, and outside the box to atleast 8 guage.

My sub is only 250 rms so I will make sure to lower the gain quite a bit because it might not handle all the power from the 5002 amp.

Do you guys think I am right about upgrading to 8 guage for the sub?
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 05:21 PM
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8 guage is overkill.
10 at the max. 12 is perfect.
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 05:30 PM
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Are you saying 12 guage would be perfect because I am not going to need all the power? Or basically it's what I should use for that amp.
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 06:08 PM
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8 g wire is fine if it fits in the holes (you can not go to big but you can go to small )
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 06:11 PM
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I totally agree.
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 10:02 PM
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10 guage will work just great but if you got a good price on some 8gauge and it will actully fit then go for it....i think heavyer wire looks cooler too lol
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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8 Gauge is some thick-*** stuff, it can be hard to work with when dealing with sub/amp terminals.

It'd look kinda funny if your speaker wire was the same size as your power/ground, but if you're absolutely terrified of voltage drop between amp and sub, then go for it I guess... but when you're dealing with only 250 watts then I don't think you need to worry all too much about losing the odd watt here and there. If you're aching for another tenth on the meter then maybe it'd be worth it.
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 12:15 PM
  #8  
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I have 8 awg going to my subs in my SQ car

LOOKS COOL

I'm also running 2000 watts a sub.
Each amp has two 4 awg power and ground wires.

Could I have used 12 awg, yeah but it just looks gay.

I really had no problem with the 8 gauge. I used modified banana terminals from IXOS and soldered them with no issue. They work just fine with my amp terminals.

8 awg just LOOKS COOL
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 03:41 PM
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who has 8 g wire to there amp ?
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 04:41 PM
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i use 8 gauge speaker wire



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