MousPotato

Sorry for the probably done to death topic but I did a search under stock speaker wire and didn't see anything.

So I've decided to pick up a pair of Focal 6.5 inch components which I'm going to run straight from my Pioneer deh-5000ub head unit for now. No amp right now, No funds.
The installer assures me that with the length I'm going from the deck to the front speakers and no amp involved,the factory 16 gauge wire will be fine.
I tend to agree but I just want some second opinions.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I would rewire the speakers right now. I base this on you are already going to have the vehicle apart, the stock wire is not 16 gauge that I have ever seen in any factory system (more like 22 or 24) and if you are going to be adding an amp, you are going to be replacing the wires at that time. Why do work twice?

Sinemeup

Think twice , wire once, sometimes I'll even add an extra run of spare speaker wire and a spare RCA for further upgrades and less tear down

veeman

iTrader: (3)

depends on what you want to do later, and what awg size your factory wire is. Here is a wire calculator that you can play with and all the info you need to make a decision. Go to the website and scroll down on the right side to "wire" #16.

Basic Car Audio Electronics

MousPotato

Ok thanks for the input.
So what gauge would you figure the stock speaker wire is in a 2010 RAV4?
I'm using some wire gauge charts to see what I may need. I figure the distance from head unit to the speakers is .....4-5 feet?

veeman

iTrader: (3)

Not sure, best way is to get some 20 awg-16 awg wire and do a close comparison. i'd assume 18 awg as that seems to be the norm in non high output oem systems. 4-5 feet of 18 awg is still good for up to 120 watts rms @ 4ohms. The main spec to look for in that chart is the circular mils/amp...if it's over 300, then the wire won't over heat. That coupled with a decibel loss of under 1 dB will be inaudible. Use the chart to determine if it's ok, as circ mils/amp will decrease with shorter lengths (this is due to less resistance which can cause the current flow to increase and heat the wire to much..ofcourse longer lengths cause high resistance and therefore higher voltage drop and more dB loss). Anyway, long story short you will be good with that wire for what you want to do now.

RomanticMoments

I agree with MR2NR on this one.... Wire the speakers with the 16awg right now. Leave the extra length you'll need to get to the new 4 ch under the dash until upgrade day comes. Learning what wires can handle what is good knowledge to have, I agree, but in this case I think you would agree that 16awg can handle both the deck power and the amp's power, and if you've gotta do it anyways in the future, it makes sense to go ahead and do it now, save yourself the work later. Then you can rest easy that the wire that's in there isn't going to cause fires or other issues

sudanberry

Bigger is always better. The less resistaance to the speaker,the better. You are only as Good as your weakest link. The deck will get hot if you drive it hard.

MousPotato

Ok I think wiring will be a good idea. I have about 10 feet of some brand of 14 gauge oxygen free copper speaker wire left over from my last install. The installer saved all my wires completely intact so I might as well use them.
I got a good deal on some Polyglass 165VB speakers today($350 CDN) so I might as well do them justice.