Revamp Your Car Audio System: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Speaker Wire For Car Audio

The internet and online specialty retailers are brimming with an array of speaker wires. Some options lean towards the pricier side, while others offer affordability that perfectly aligns with your budget.

For car audio enthusiasts, investing in a high-quality wire is paramount. As vehicles become increasingly advanced in features and technology, audio wires also follow suit.

If you’ve ever pondered why your car audio falls short, the culprit may lie in your audio cable, signaling the need for an upgrade to a superior alternative.

With a plethora of choices available in the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and struggle with selecting the right one.

But fret not, as we are here to assist you. Join us as we explore the best speaker wire for car audio, uncovering options that will elevate your listening experience and streamline your purchasing decisions.

Product Image	Product Name	Our Ratings	Price
	Amazon Basics 16-Gauge Auto Speaker Wire, 100 Feet		Check Price
	InstallGear 14 Gauge AWG 100ft Cable		Check Price
	14AWG Speaker Cable, GearIT Pro Series 14 AWG		Check Price
	GearIT Pro 16 AWG Gauge Cable, 100-Feet		Check Price
	12AWG Audio Cable, GearIT Pro Series 12 Gauge		Check Price

What is a speaker wire?

If you are a music fanatic and appreciate the good quality sound, then having a premium audio wire is an essential thing you must have.

But the real question is, what is a speaker wire? Well, it is a kind of wire that connects your audio amplifier to the car sound system.

The wires act as a nervous system of your sound system and allow for the transfer of information between key components of the speaker and the amplifier.

So in actuality, a good or bad quality wire will determine what sound output you can expect, so an audio wire is a huge deal in the audio department.

Comparison Chart of Speaker Wire For Car Audio

Now that we covered every different product offering in detail let’s draw a comparison between them. This way, it will be easier for you to see side by side which audio wire is the right fit for you. Let’s get into the comparison chart and compare all the features of these products.

Prodcut Name	Gauges	Unit count	Item weight	Item dimensions
Amazon Basics 16-Gauge	16 gauge	100 feet	1.43 lbs	5.12 x 3.43 x 5.43 inches
InstallGear 14 Gauge AWG 100ft	14 gauge	100 feet	2.27 pounds	4.84 x 4.72 x 4.02 inches
14AWG GearIT Pro Series 14 AWG Gauge	14 gauge	50/100/200/500 feet	2.37 lbs	4 x 5 x 4 inches
GearIT Pro 16 AWG Gauge Cable, 100-Feet	16 gauge	50/100/200/500 feet	1.80 lbs	4 x 4 x 5 inches
12AWG GearIT Pro Series 12 Gauge Cable	12 gauge	50/100/200/500 feet	6.22 pounds	5 x 4.5 x 5.5 inches
KabelDirekt – Pure Copper Stereo Audio Cable	14/16 gauge	50/100 feet	4.02 pounds	8.07 x 7.99 x 1.65 inches

How many watts can 16 gauge speaker wire handle?

Before we go into how many watts a 16 gauge wire can handle, let’s look at what kind of thicknesses that comes in.

The unit for measuring the thickness of wires is a gauge, and each gauge is represented by a number. Generally, smaller numbers present thicker wire numbers, and higher numbers are used to tell thinner wires apart.

Now the other big question is which wire size you should choose and which one is the right one for you.

So, for the most part, in cars especially, the ideal size should be 18 gauges, and if you are planning to use longer wires, the length should be 2 gauges, and this is to avoid losing any sort of power.

Many online websites have specialized tools that allow you to calculate the right gauge, and one site in particular that has a gauge calculator is soundcertified.com.

This will recommend to you the right size based on the power and the speaker Ohms. So in some cases, maybe a 12 gauge might be suitable for you or an 18 gauge one; this calculator will help you calculate it more effectively.

Now coming to the real question, which is how many watts can a 16 gauge wire handle. Well, to understand this, you need to keep in mind watts can change dramatically if you alter the voltage or current involved.

The number of watts can be calculated with the formula, Wattage (power) = volts * amps; typically, a 16 gauge wire shouldn’t be given more than 15 amps, and by adding a suitable value for the voltage, you can easily determine the watts required.

You can make a speaker wire wattage chart if you are dealing with more than one size of wires.

How to pick speaker wire?

Let’s face it, picking a car audio wire isn’t all that easy when you are bombarded with a ton of options and especially those options that are soo closely competitive.

You have to take into consideration soo many factors like the right size, the best speaker wire size, and does it need to have car speaker wire connectors or not.

Although most of the conductive audio wires are made out of copper, there are wires out there that are made out of aluminum or zinc, which are less conductive compared to copper, but they also come with the advantage of being cheaper.

With all that being said, this comprehensive guide made by us will show you how you can pick the right one for yourself so that you don’t get confused about which one you should pick.

Best Speaker Wire For Car Audio Reviews

The market is filled with all sorts of audio cables of different kinds and different types, and some are made of copper while others are made of aluminum. Sometimes it is also challenging to understand the specs and various power outputs, so it can be an underwhelming experience to pick the right product. We have specifically chosen the best options and reviewed them against each other to find out which one is the best. Let’s jump right into the product reviews.

1. Amazon Basics 16-Gauge Auto Speaker Wire, 100 Feet

Let’s begin our reviews with product number one, which happens to be the amazon basics 16 gauge cable. As soon as you receive this wire, you will notice a 100-foot-long wire, and the length is 16 gauge, which is ideal for cars.

Amazon advertises this cable as a very simple-to-use product as it comes wrapped in a hard plastic spool that simplifies dispensing.

Most important of all, you won’t notice any distortion because amazon has engineered and designed it in such a way that it comes wrapped in a plastic jacket which aids it in delivering high-quality output free of distortion.

Whether you are planning to use this cable for car audio purposes or in your home sound system, we can safely say this cable will deliver on its promise.

Let’s dwell on some standout features and some of the things we weren’t that excited about with this cable.

Feature We Like Most:

What we love about this cable is the fact that it has marked polarity, and that helps a user to distinguish which side of the cable is the polar opposite, which makes setup easier.

Probable Drawbacks:

The only major drawback we see with this cable is that it isn’t sturdy enough and might not handle everyday accidental abuse all that well and may tear.

Key Features:

• Allows for connection between audio speakers to an A/V receiver or amplifier.
• 16 gauge audio wire
• User-friendly design that indicates the polarity

Final Opinion:

Overall we have enjoyed using this wire, and if you want a premium design and user-friendly practicality, then this wire is made for you.

2. InstallGear 14 Gauge AWG 100ft Cable

Moving forward with our list of audio wires, we bring you another 100 feet wire, but this time from Install gear.

Let’s briefly discuss the features that make this wire so special. Now this wire is being sold at 14 gauges which is a lower gauge number compared to the first wire we reviewed on our list, and that means it will have very less resistance to current flow.

The material chosen for this wire is copper clad aluminum which is an excellent conductor of electricity and will transmit audio a lot better.

This audio cable is also directly advertised for car audio systems which is ideal. It has a rugged PVC jacket which makes it super convenient to route car panels.

The installation process for this wire is simple. It can easily fit into any crip terminals, and the jacket detaches itself easily.

Feature We Like Most:

What we like most about this wire is, that it has a two-color jacket, which makes it much easier to differentiate the polarity, and has a compact spool for easier storage.

Probable Drawbacks:

CCA( Copper-clad aluminum) is a cheaper alternative developed for copper, and although it might sound similar, you might lose the true properties of copper, and it may be seen as a strategy by the company to save money.

Key Features:

• best speaker wire gauge for car audio( 14 gauge)
• Rugged PVC JACKET design
• Two-color jackets for easy polarity identification

Final Opinion:

This wire overall receives a huge thumbs up, and even though we aren’t much of a fan of the CCA design, what we do love is the fact that it is one of the best gauge choices in an automotive speaker wire you don’t see all that often.

3. 14AWG Speaker Cable, GearIT Pro Series 14 AWG

In number three, we have yet another 14 gauge audio cable, and the company is Gearit. Let’s discuss some of the standout features and possibly different features this wire is offering that might simplify your decision-making process.

What’s great about this wire is that you are given multiple options to choose from in terms of wire length, ranging from 50 feet to 500 feet. This is also listed as amazon’s choice product recommended by many.

This wire is also made from copper-clad aluminum, which is a cheaper alternative to a traditional copper wire, but it does have some benefits. CCA cable is lighter and more flexible than copper wire. Likewise, the cost to manufacture this is cheaper also.

Let’s talk more about the key features of the wire that can help to separate it from the rest and the things that might be a deal-breaker for some people.

Feature We Like Most:

Something we praise this wire for is its durability, and by using two materials, aluminum and CCA, to design this wire, Gearit has played a stroke of genius. Don’t expect this wire to break so soon, even with daily wear and tear.

Probable Drawbacks:

If you advertise a audio cable as CCA, it should be a cheaper option, but this wire is priced at a premium level compared to the same wires that are made from traditional copper.

Key Features:

• Underwent tier 1 manufacturing process
• 14 gauge wire size
• Multi-colored wire options

Final Opinion:

If you can get past the slightly high price you are paying for this wire, there is no denying how sturdy and aesthetically beautiful it is.

4. GearIT Pro 16 AWG Gauge Cable, 100-Feet

Continuing our list of the best speaker wire for car audio, we bring you a audio cable similar to the Gearit cable we showed you earlier, but this one is 16 gauge instead of 14, which will allow it to have different characteristics.

Let’s talk about the different variations you can buy of this wire. You have your normal wire sizes that are 50 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet, but you can also buy these 50 feet and 100 feet wires along with 12 banana plugs which I think is a very neat offer.

Gearit is offering its lifetime warranty service with this wire, which means if you don’t like it, they have an easy return policy that you can exercise.

Feature We Like Most:

The Amount of size and buying variations this wire comes with is incredible, and you can even get banana plugs with some of the size variations.

Probable Drawbacks:

The performance of this cable is slightly lacking in terms of a 16 gauge wire compared to the competition.

Key Features:

• 16 gauge auto size cable
• PRO SERIES LIFETIME GUARANTEED
• Underwent tier 1 manufacturing process
• Custom installations come with these wire-like banana plugs

Final Opinion:

Gearit continues to impress us with their wire, and the vast variations of buying options that are offered with this wire make it easier for people to choose which size and banana plugs are the right fit for them.

5. 12AWG Audio Cable, GearIT Pro Series 12 Gauge

The last Gearit wire on this guide is a 12 gauge car audio cable. Let’s see if there are any differences with this wire that can maybe help to separate it apart from its 14 and 16-gauge options.

Now once again, we are seeing the vast amount of customizations and variation options offered by the company. Not only can you get three wire sizes in black and white color options, but you can also get three additional multi-colored wire combos which are very neat.

Let’s talk about some of the features we love about this wire and some features that didn’t impress us.

Feature We Like Most:

It has a nice, well-made feel to it because it comes with rigorous materials inside out, and the 12 Awg is compatible with any banana plugs.

Probable Drawbacks:

The 12 gauge wire size may be ideal for home speaker systems, but it is not ideal for car audio systems as the minimum should be at least 14.

Key Features:

• 12 gauge speaker wire
• PRO SERIES LIFETIME GUARANTEED
• Underwent tier 1 manufacturing process
• Offers custom installations that come with these wire-like banana plugs

Final Opinion:

Let’s wrap up with our final thoughts for this wire; and we appreciate that Gearit has made a 12 gauge version for its customers too, and the design isn’t compromised at all.

6. KabelDirekt – Pure Copper Stereo Audio Cable

The last wire on our list is the KabelDirekt pure copper audio wire, which is exclusively made in Germany.

The wire comes in two gauge sizes, 14 and 16 gauges, both being 100 feet in length. This wire is also advertised as a flexible audio wire and has gone through a state-of-the-art manufacturing process that helps it achieve that quality.

Unlike the CCA materials used in cables we mentioned before, this cable uses pure copper and a durable PVC sheet that helps to achieve a groundbreaking signal quality and overall longevity.

Let’s highlight the most significant features along with some obvious drawbacks we noticed during our testing period, so let’s look at those.

Feature We Like Most:

This can provide you with near-perfect sound quality, and that is not only for your car audio systems but also for your home speakers, all thanks to its design and choice of materials.

Probable Drawbacks:

Although this wire has many strong features going for it, the insulation is not the best and it is required to use a razor blade to separate the two wires from each other.

Key Features:

• 14 gauge and 16 gauge sizes
• 36 months brand warranty
• Manufactured from pure copper strands
• Made in Germany

Final Opinion:

Let’s conclude why this wire is soo special, the fact that it can rival even the top brands in sound output and quality is commendable, and most importantly, it is made from pure copper.

Buying Guide: Best Speaker Wire For Car Audio

Before you put your foot down on the accelerator and make the buying decision, there are some factors you need to consider closely because everything should be according to your requirements.

Type of material used

The type of material manufacturers choose to design the wires is extremely important, and the thing is, not all wires are built the same, and the type of material significantly has an impact on conductivity and its ability to deliver output and sound.

Copper is 100% the best conductor for electricity, and it is the standard that all audio cable look up to. Some companies are choosing to opt for copper clad aluminum which is, although a cheaper alternative to copper but has slightly different properties than copper.

Manufacturers are using other wire materials like aluminum and zinc, but all those are inferior to copper due to their low resistance and a small number of benefits provided.

Choosing the right gauge

You all must have noticed whenever you are looking for a car audio cable, wires are offered at different gauges but determining which one is the right one is important.

Let’s learn how to select the best gauge speaker wire for car audio. The first thing you should do before choosing a gauge is to look at the back of your car speaker or know its resistance or impedance.

We have already compared the gauges of each of these six wires in our car audio speaker wire gauge guide in the comparison chart, so we recommend you to check it out if you’re interested to see it.

Remember this always when you want to select the right gauge:

• Eight-ohm speakers: 14AWG up to 200 feet, 12AWG for 200+ and 16-18AWG for 50 feet or less,
• Six-ohm speakers: 16AWG for 50 feet or less, 12-14AWG for 50+ length
• Four-ohm speakers: 12AWG for 100 feet or less, 8-10AWG for 100+ length

Polarity

Every wire or pair of wires you end up purchasing should be marked for polarity, and that means if the wires are identical, either side of the wires is marked, which makes it easy to distinguish and makes installation easier. If the wire is multi-colored, let’s say one wire is blue and the other wire is black, they don’t need to be marked for polarity as it’s going to be easier to distinguish them from each other based on their color.

Power, Ground and Speaker Wires – What Wire Gauge Should You Use?

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Although we have covered all the products and different theories regarding car audio cables, some questions always remain unanswered; we want to look at those questions.

How do you install banana plugs with your speaker cables?

If you are looking to install banana connectors with your wires, it is a straightforward job so let’s learn how you can do that. The first thing is You have to strip the whole wire first. To strip the wire, you will need a help of a tool called the wire stripper, which will help you to cleanly strip the wire.

Afterward, you’re going to unscrew one of the banana plugs and carefully push the wire inside, and again screw the tip of the plug. Repeat the process for all the banana plugs and connect your cable to your amp and the speakers and you’re all set.

What wire should you choose, Bi-wire or a single wire?

Maybe choosing the best car audio speaker wire was an easier decision for you, but what about single wire or bi-wire? Which configuration should you opt for?

Now obviously, if you own a speaker that only allows for single-wire connectors, then a single wire will do the job for you. On the other hand, if your car speakers have two sets of connections, then you can choose a bi-wire. A bi-wire has its benefits which include giving you a much richer detail and an open sound stage. It all boils down to personal preference, though, and we leave this debate for the die-hard audio cable fans.

Do audio cable terminations important?

Yes. Generally, termination is situated at the ends of the cable, and it provides you with connections to sources and speakers. Those options are commonly referred to nowadays as banana plugs and spade plugs. These provide you with their own benefits, and those include quicker and faster connections as they simply and easily plug into the terminals of your speakers. If fitted properly, they can also be a source of reliable and sturdy electrical connection, minimizing any risk of shorting. So, as you can clearly see, these terminations make your job a whole lot easier and add their own level of convenience.

Final Words

Let’s wrap up this piece with our concluding remarks. Our aim was to find out about the best speaker wire for car audio, and along the way, we reviewed six options. Each one of those options brought its own unique features, and it’s difficult to determine which one is the best because they are so different in what they offer and bring to the table, but what is important for you to know is that a good quality audio cable makes a huge difference in the sound output and overall quality of sound you are experiencing, so it’s worth giving a shot picking the right one.

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