Testing The Best Speaker Wire (2022)

From time to time, you might find out that some extra speaker wire might be needed to make sure that you can get a new speaker setup installed correctly, or to make a repair.

If you’ve never had to do such a thing before, knowing which speaker wire to get can be very confusing.

Let’s take a look at some of the best speaker wire options.

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Best Speaker Wire: Reviews

1. Mediabridge Wire

If you’re looking for something reliable and don’t mind paying a higher price to get it, this wire is the one for you. While it might be a more costly option than others, it’s also one that is made to last, offering materials of the highest quality.

Review

A strand count that is exceptionally high and made from copper that is entirely oxygen-free sets this wire apart from many of the other available options.

The copper of this design allows for better overall sound, which is why it’s more costly than wires that don’t use copper.

In addition to offering high quality, this wire is also made to be easy to work with. When you need to connect it to speakers, receivers or amps, you’ll easily be able to tell which side is meant to attach to which wire.

Furthermore, it works well with a variety of different tools, such as spade tips or banana plugs. 

When you’re shopping for wire, it’s often useful to make sure the wire you get is rated as you need it to be.

To provide you with that quality, this wire is CL2 rated, so it is safe for use inside walls. Additionally, it’s ETL-certified, so you’ll be able to recognize the quality before spending your money on it.

Pros

• Made from high-quality materials
• No twists or knots
• Durable
• Works in walls
• Heavy-duty

Cons

• Looks cheap
• On the expensive side

Best For

This is the ideal wire for those who are seeking the highest-quality wire possible, for the best sound.

2. InstallGear Cable

Those who are looking for an option that is budget-friendly will appreciate this wiring choice. It provides just the right amount of cable to suit your needs, so you can get the job done more quickly.

Review

Some may look for the best of the best, while others just want something solid and reliable to solve a problem or get a basic setup going.

If you’re working on a budget or just don’t feel the need to spend a lot of money on an amount of wire you don’t need, this may be a more suitable choice for your needs. 

This wire is designed to look decent and create the best possible performance. It’s easy to set up, providing the color-coordination required to get all your wires attached correctly.

The jacket is even made for easy stripping so you can cut it away as needed and connect your wires.

While you may not get the same amount that you do with other options, this is a great choice at a low cost that helps you to solve problems that won’t require a hundred feet of wire or more.

Just make sure that you have enough to get the job done without having to purchase a second batch of wire.

Pros

• Decent sound quality
• Budget-friendly
• Easy to work with
• Reliable
• Great for speakers

Cons

• Strands cut easily
• May receive a shorter length than expected

Best For

This is the ideal choice for those who don’t want too much wiring and don’t want to pay too much for it.

3. AmazonBasics Cable

Those who are familiar with AmazonBasics know that they provide basic, reliable goods at fair prices. The same is true for this cable, which offers you 200 feet at a low cost. You’re sure to have plenty to last and it won’t break the bank.

Review

This is another ideal choice for those who want to keep it simple. You’ll be able to rely on it to provide a clean connection that will offer the sound you need without high-cost wire. Many who have tried it have found that this is a high-quality option.

Much like other options, this one provides copper that avoids oxygen as much as possible so that the sound traveling through it will be clear and balanced.

On top of that, Amazon is also providing you with a 1-year warranty to ensure you get the best overall solution.

You’ll also find that this wire is color-coded. When you’re dealing with various wires, such as those for speakers, it’s often necessary to keep the different wires separated. They can then connect correctly rather than ending up connected to the wrong wire and unable to provide what you need.

Pros

• High quality
• Great sound
• Fantastic connectivity
• Easy to use
• Good for car speakers

Cons

• Not UL listed
• No rating on the actual wire

Best For

If you’re looking for a lot of wire at a lower price, and aren’t too picky about the rating, this is a great option.

4. InstallGear 12-Gauge

The perfect balance of price and effectiveness is something we all want to achieve. When you purchase this wire, you’ll get 30 feet of 12-gauge wire, suitable for a number of different purposes. It’s a choice that is hard to go wrong with.

Review

This is a wiring option that provides everything you want from a wire at a price that won’t make you feel like you’re breaking the bank or purchasing a cheaply made product.

From the stranded bundles to the jacket, this is a wire you’ll be able to rely on to work with you easily.

The jacket is not only soft to the touch, it’s one that can be stripped without too much extra effort. As a result, you’ll have an easy time making your connections and getting the wire to function exactly as you need it to.

Those who are working with a home theater setup will find this to be a wire that is more than suitable for their needs.

It’s simple and speedy to install, so you’ll be able to enjoy your music, movies or TV shows in no time at all. This wire is worth a look.

Pros

• Great flexibility
• Plenty of strands
• Easy to work with
• High quality
• Excellent sound quality

Cons

• Flimsy
• Incorrect gauge

Best For

Those looking for a great balance of price, quantity and quality will appreciate this wiring option for all their speaker needs.

5. InstallGear 14-Gauge

This 14-gauge option is a great one for those who need a bit more wire. With a roll of 100 ft., you’ll be able to get through just about any wiring job and still have plenty to spare. That saves you from having to purchase more the next time you need it, saving you money overall.

Review

Cost is a huge factor when it comes to purchasing just about anything. However, when it comes to speaker wire, you can still get suitable options without paying too much.

Choices like this InstallGear wire provide just the right balance of price and efficiency. Just keep in mind that your sound may not be quite as perfect as it could be with a more expensive option.

Like other wires, this one is color-coded. The different colors used in this wiring are red and black, so it won’t be a wire that is too bright.

Generally, we typically don’t want something that is going to stand out and make it obvious that changes have been made to the wiring system. These wires will be more likely to blend in than other choices out there.

Whether you need to strip the jacket or use the wiring with banana plugs, it’s made to function as you need it to.

The jacket is soft, pliable and easy to get rid of as needed. However, it’s also durable when you want to keep it intact. Either way, this is a choice that you’ll be able to trust to keep your music sounding great.

Pros

• Very pliable
• Durable
• Solid strand retention
• Works well for most speakers
• Easy to wire correctly

Cons

• Harder to strip than other options
• Corrodes easily

Best For

When you need a lot of 14-gauge wire, you can’t go wrong with this choice.

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Conclusion

One of the biggest things people tend to look for in speaker wires is a core that is made from as much copper as possible. Some options may include other materials that are plated in copper.

If you want something that will create the best possible sound, copper is often the best way to go.