Which do you guys think is a better choice for a voice coil? copper, or aluminum?

I'm throwing my vote in for copper, because, even though it is substanially heavier, it is a much better conductor, and doesn't have the one nasty property that aluminum does: aluminum tends to burn up completely when it gets hot, whereas copper doesn't tend to do that until a much higher temperature is reached.

aluminum is a better conducter, on the other hand its more expensive and more brittle then copper

Copper is a better conductor, 10.4 compared to ALuminum at 17

then why is a #12 copper conducter thicker then a #12 alum?

aluminum has a lighter mass and reduces the inertia of the cone/coil assembly.
head to head, the same driver with alum. and copper. the aluminum will, in most cases, be louder.
it is easier to cool aluminum coils,but a real b!tch to solder them :mad: :cool:

If you look at the mTX line for example, the new MXS and MZS woofers use aluminium, and the Road Thunder uses copper, the MXS has a higher temp rating than the RT. Does the size have anything to do with that,maybe. What I say is who cares, it's not like you have a choice of options when you buy a woofer, if the one you like has aluminium coils, you use aluminium coils.

mister steve: actually a # 12 copper conductor has exactly the same number of circular mils in it's cross section as a number 12 aluminum conductor. I don't care if you believe me, but it's true. Aluminum is also LESS brittle than copper, it's softer, and easier to bend, and per pound it's more expensive, but there's a LOT more aluminum in a pound than there is copper.

of course, what does the electrician know about wire?

Ok - so how about someone explain why the one material having a lower resistance per foot than the other is deemed an advantage. Or is it indeed a disadvantage? ;)


I agree with Dereck though - there are a myriad of features to make a woofer attractive other than the material of the voice coil.

^when your already buying a sub with a set nominal impedance, who cares? lol...

set nonminal impedence or actual re?