What Gauge Wire should I use?

I am buying 2 1200 W subs that are rated at 350 W each and a 1000 W amp with a rated output of 200 W RMS x2 @ 2 ohms. What gauge wire should I be using to connect everything? I was thinking of 8 but thought that 4 might produce better sound quality. I don't know much about this stuff and cannot find any good recommendations online. Thanks!

N2Audio2011-08-01T08:25:44Z

Favorite Answer

The size of your power wire has nothing to do with sound quality.

IF the voltage drop in the wire is excessive (due to wire being too small) the power output from the amp may be slightly effected, but it would be virtually impossible to detect a difference that small by ear.

You have a 400w rms amp - any decent 8 awg amp kit should be adequate.
If there's a 4 awg kit in your price range that would be fine, and preferred by many.

Keep in mind some of those ultra-cheap kits are not honest about the actual size of the wire.
Most of the good 8 awg kits will provide a 50 or 60A fuse. If the fuse is smaller than that it's probably not REAL 8 awg.
A good 4 awg kit should include at least a 100A fuse. Some will be 80, and the real cheap ones will be 60.

Corey Hill2011-08-01T12:32:53Z

600-1000 or more watt amp you need 8 gauge.

vm11572011-08-03T21:22:25Z

This calculator may help you out.