The Best In Wall Speaker Wire For 2024

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Best in wall speaker wire
Best in wall speaker wire

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: GearIT 14/2 Speaker Wire (100 Feet) 14AWG Gauge - in Wall

This Premium Ofc Oxygen Free Copper Speaker Wire is UL Cl3 rated and designed for custom installations. This high-quality wire is made of oxygen-free copper, ensuring high fidelity sound quality. With cable's advantage of ofc (oxygen-free copper), it is the perfect match for your audio needs. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Monoprice 102821 Access Series 14 Speaker Wire Safety In Wall Rated

Monoprice 102821 Access Series 14 Speaker Wire Safety In Wall Rated is a high-quality speaker wire that is certified safe for use within the walls of residential class buildings. Each conductor has an individual, color-coded jacket enclosed within the outer white CL2 jacket. Read Review

3. Best Convenient: 250ft 14AWG 2 Conductors (14/2) CL2 Rated Speaker Cable Wire, in-Wall

The 250ft 14AWG 2 Conductors (14/2) CL2 Rated Speaker Cable Wire, In-Wall is a tough and flexible wire, offering the same signal frequency and reliability in terms of corrosion resistance as copper wire. The white insulated jacket is finished with a stripe on one side for polarity and has an in-wall rating. Read Review

4. Best Safety: GearIT 16/2 Speaker Wire (100 Feet) 16AWG Gauge - in Wall Speaker Wire

GearIT Pro Series 16/2 Speaker Wire is the highest quality wire available. The premium line of speaker wire is manufactured from pure oxygen-free copper and is rated UL CL2 for custom installations, meaning wiring meets industry standards for use in commercial and residential buildings. Read Review

When you start wiring a room, it’s easy to forget that you need to plan for all the different devices that will be in the space; from TVs to gaming consoles, streaming boxes, and multimedia speakers. When planning your home audio setup, buying speaker wire is one of the first things you should address. There are many benefits to using high-quality speaker wire when building your home audio system.

By choosing the right speaker cable for your setup and keeping things neat and organized, you can drastically cut down on frustration when troubleshooting or adding additional components in the future. In this article, we’ll review our top picks for the best in wall speaker wire and explain how they will help you build the perfect home audio system.

After nearly many hours of research, we were able to come up with many top products from prominent brands. Among them, GearIT 14/2 Speaker Wire (100 Feet) 14AWG Gauge - in Wall seems to be the first product you can rely on. Alternatively, if you're simply looking for a good-looking option, you may go with Monoprice 102821 Access Series 14 Speaker Wire Safety In Wall Rated.

Our article today focuses mainly on giving you guidelines and tips to be able to buy the right product that best suits your needs. Explore with us right here.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 GearIT 14/2 Speaker Wire (100 Feet) 14AWG Gauge - in Wall
Our Score:
9.9
GearIT
  • Ul Cl3 Rated For Custom Installations – You Can Make Sure You Get The Highest Safety Standard When You Use This Gearit Pro Series Ul Cl3 Rated Speaker Wire For In-Wall Installation Or To Pair With Banana Plugs, Spade Tips, Or Bent Pin Connectors To Connect Your Speakers To Your A/V Receiver Or Amplifier With This Gearit Pro Series Speaker Wire
  • Premium Ofc Oxygen Free Copper Speaker Wire – Use This Gearit Pro Series Ofc Oxygen Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable That’S Build With High Stranded Conductors Provides Premium Sound Quality With For Home Theater And Car Audio System
  • Advantage Of Ofc (Oxygen Free Copper) – Here Are The Facts About Ofc Oxygen Free Copper Vs Cca Copper-Clad Aluminum. With Ofc Wire You Will Have Increased Conductivity To Carry More Current To Your Amplifier. Also It Will Help Reduced The Strain On The Vehicles Electrical System Which Ofc Oxygen Free Copper Is Highly Recommended When You Are Installing Speaker Wire In The Car. Other Than The Sound And Conductivity Improvement The Ofc Speaker Wire Will Much Higher Corrosion Resistance And Improved Heat Absorptions Over The Cca Speaker Wire
  • Highest Quality Material And Tier 1 Manufacture Process - The Cable Is Made Of Ofc Oxygen Free Copper, Ensuring High Fidelity Sound Quality And Providing Maximum'S Conductivity And Durability Without Paying The Additional Cost. The Product Go Through Many States Of Testing To Ensure The Highest Performance And Reliability Of The Products
TOP Choice #2 Monoprice 102821 Access Series 14 Speaker Wire Safety In Wall Rated
Our Score:
9.8
Monoprice
  • Each conductor has an individual, color-coded jacket enclosed within the outer white CL2 jacket
  • Oxygen-free 99.95% pure bare copper conductors
  • 250 continuous feet of 14Awg 2-conductor speaker wire | on a spool
  • The white Outer jacket is CL2 rated, making it safe for use within the walls of residential class buildings
TOP Choice #3 250ft 14AWG 2 Conductors (14/2) CL2 Rated Speaker Cable Wire,  in-Wall
Our Score:
9.6
Cables Direct Online
  • Tough, yet flexible white insulated jacket is market with a stripe on one side for polarity and is marked with FT count for easy installation.
  • 14/2 cable rated CL2 for in-wall use, complies with fire safety for use inside the walls of residential class buildings
  • Pull-Out Box with multiconductor cable reduces need to pull multiple wires for easy installation
  • CCA (COPPER CLAD ALUMINUM) – CCA wire offers the same signal frequency and reliability in terms of corrosion resistance to copper wire. The advantage of the CCA speaker wire is lighter and more flexible than copper wire. The cost of CCA vs Oxygen free copper is much lower and you can enjoy the same functions and reliability as copper wire without paying the extra cost for the installation.
  • The 99 Strands 0.16mm conductors provide exceptional performance, sound quality for professional speaker and audio connections
  • ADVANTAGE OF OFC (OXYGEN FREE COPPER) – Here are the facts about OFC Oxygen Free Copper vs CCA Copper-Clad Aluminum. With OFC wire you will have increased conductivity to carry more current to your amplifier. Also it will help reduced the strain on the vehicles electrical system which OFC oxygen free copper is highly recommended when you are installing speaker wire in the car. Other than the sound and conductivity improvement the OFC speaker wire will much higher corrosion resistance and improved heat absorptions over the CCA speaker wire.
  • PRO SERIES LIFETIME GURANTEED – We stands for the highest quality product and customer satisfaction. If you are not happy with the product in anyway we offer an easy return policy. All product come with our top rated lifetime warranty service.
  • HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIAL AND TIER 1 MANUFACTURE PROCESS - The cable is made of OFC Oxygen Free Copper, ensuring high fidelity sound quality and providing maximum's conductivity and durability without paying the additional cost. The product go through many states of testing to ensure the highest performance and reliability of the products.
  • PREMIUM OFC OXYGEN FREE COPPER SPEAKER WIRE – Use this GearIT Pro Series OFC Oxygen Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable that’s build with high stranded conductors provides premium sound quality with for home theater and car audio system
  • UL CL2 RATED FOR CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS – You can make sure you get the highest safety standard when you use this GearIT Pro Series UL CL2 rated speaker wire for In-wall installation or to pair with banana plugs, spade tips, or bent pin connectors to connect your speakers to your A/V receiver or amplifier with this GearIT Pro Series speaker wire.
  • OXYGEN-FREE COPPER (OFC). Oxygen-free copper conductors result in less signal loss and are more durable than conductors made of copper-clad aluminum (CCA).
  • CL3 + DIRECT BURIAL. Fire safety rated for installation in walls and between floors in Class 2 (CL2) & Class 3 (CL3) circuits in residential low-voltage applications. Direct burial rated for in-ground installation without conduit. UL Listed.
  • 16AWG, 2 CONDUCTORS, BLACK JACKET, 100FT SPOOL. Premium 16 gauge speaker cable, featuring 65 strand OFC conductors and a super-luxe outer jacket. Built to exacting standards with zero compromises.
  • TIME SAVING FEATURES. Quick-strip sleeve & ripcord reduce time spent terminating wire. Jacket printing includes UL information and foot markers which tell you precisely how much wire is left on the spool.
  • Convenient Pull Box for DIY projects and professional installers alike.
  • Made of Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA).
  • The perfect choice for your home, car, or office audio needs.
  • Top quality design and construction.
  • 2 High quality (64 strands of 0.16) 16 AWG conductors.
  • UL CL2 RATED FOR CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS – You can make sure you get the highest safety standard when you use this GearIT Pro Series UL CL2 rated speaker wire for In-wall installation or to pair with banana plugs, spade tips, or bent pin connectors to connect your speakers to your A/V receiver or amplifier with this GearIT Pro Series speaker wire.
  • PRO SERIES LIFETIME GURANTEED – We stands for the highest quality product and customer satisfaction. If you are not happy with the product in anyway we offer an easy return policy. All product come with our top rated lifetime service.
  • HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIAL AND TIER 1 MANUFACTURE PROCESS - The cable is made of OFC Oxygen Free Copper, ensuring high fidelity sound quality and providing maximum's conductivity and durability without paying the additional cost. The product go through many states of testing to ensure the highest performance and reliability of the products.
  • ADVANTAGE OF OFC (OXYGEN FREE COPPER) – Here are the facts about OFC Oxygen Free Copper vs CCA Copper-Clad Aluminum. With OFC wire you will have increased conductivity to carry more current to your amplifier. Also it will help reduced the strain on the vehicles electrical system which OFC oxygen free copper is highly recommended when you are installing speaker wire in the car. Other than the sound and conductivity improvement the OFC speaker wire will much higher corrosion resistance and improved heat absorptions over the CCA speaker wire.
  • PREMIUM OFC OXYGEN FREE COPPER SPEAKER WIRE – Use this GearIT Pro Series OFC Oxygen Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable that’s build with high stranded conductors provides premium sound quality with for home theater and car audio system
  • Made of Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA).
  • Top quality design and construction.
  • The perfect choice for your home, car, or office audio needs.
  • 2 High quality (80 strands of 0.16) 14 AWG conductors.
  • Convenient Pull Box for DIY projects and professional installers alike.
  • OXYGEN-FREE COPPER (OFC). Oxygen-free copper conductors result in less signal loss and are more durable than conductors made of copper-clad aluminum (CCA).
  • 14AWG, 2 CONDUCTORS, WHITE JACKET, 100FT SPOOL. Premium 14 gauge speaker cable, featuring 105 strand OFC conductors and a super-luxe outer jacket. Built to exacting standards with zero compromises.
  • TIME SAVING FEATURES. Quick-strip sleeve & ripcord reduce time spent terminating wire. Jacket printing includes UL information and foot markers which tell you precisely how much wire is left on the spool.
  • CL3 + DIRECT BURIAL. Fire safety rated for installation in walls and between floors in Class 2 (CL2) & Class 3 (CL3) circuits in residential low-voltage applications. Direct burial rated for in-ground installation without conduit. UL Listed.
  • Made of Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA).
  • 2 High quality (64 strands of 0.16) 16 AWG conductors.
  • Top quality design and construction.
  • Convenient Pull Box for DIY projects and professional installers alike.
  • The perfect choice for your home, car, or office audio needs.
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What to Look For in a best in wall speaker wire?

To buy any product seems easy, but to choose the best one is not straightforward. The time you take to research its outcome is significant. The same matter also comes to best in wall speaker wire of 2024 that we include in this article. But you can relax instead of spending too much time learning the products. It’s our duty!

Here are the main features of best in wall speaker wire that all of you guys should keep in mind when deciding to make a purchase:

Length

The measurement of the system is an important part in selecting speaker wire. However, this step has far greater impact than just visual appearances. The length of the wire will affect how resistant it is. Even though the effect isn't usually noticeable at long distances, it can significantly reduce sound quality. The longer wires can pick up interference from radios and static, which could affect a listener's enjoyment.

Wire Material

Any speaker wire's wire material is made up of the conductor metal contained within its wire cover. Copper is a common choice for speaker wires due to its low cost and high conductivity. Copper can oxidize if it is exposed to oxygen, which can cause higher resistance. Copper is still the most efficient conductor of speaker wires. Although gold can conduct well, it's quite expensive so most people don't consider buying speaker wires with this metal.

Price

It is a matter of debate whether higher-priced speaker wires are better than those at lower prices. There is general agreement that speaker wires of higher quality will perform better than lower-priced models. This conclusion comes from extensive listening tests, as well as research by audio professionals. The best speaker cables are those that fall in the middle price range. While the least expensive may be more durable, they will not have a greater impact on the audio quality. You should save some money on more important gear, like amps and receivers or interfaces.

Gauge

It is also known as the cross sectional area of the wire. The wire gauge is often also known as its thickness. You should be aware that speaker wire is generally thicker if it has a lower gauge than the other. Two acceptable gauge standards exist: the American Wire Gauge and the Standard Wire Guage. You should purchase a lower gauge speaker wire if you plan to place your speakers more than 50 feet from the amplifier. This will allow you to keep your resistance low.

Resistance

Before you purchase any speaker wire, you must first look at its resistance. A speaker wire with a lower resistance means that the amplifier is able to send more power through the coil. Because speaker wires of this type have low resistance, they are shorter in length and thicker. It can cause a dangerous audible effect if the resistance exceeds 5% of the loud speaker's impedance.

Capacitance

Capacitance is the capacity of conductors for retaining very little electricity. When electricity travels through conductors, small amounts of electricity are retained along the length of each wire. It can cause adverse reactions if there is an excessive buildup of electricity in these conductors. This can lead to an increase in resistance and damage to your speaker. You can reduce the likelihood of excess capacitance by using shorter speaker wires.

Connectors And Wire Type

You can get speaker wires with or without connectors. It's your choice whether to buy a bundle or a raw wire package and choose your termination. If you do that, make sure to purchase a wire stripper/cutter. If your speaker uses circular sockets, a banana plug will work best. However, a pin connector is required for spring clip terminals (square-shaped clips that clamp onto the wire and slide up). Although you can use either bare or plated wires, they are difficult to manage.
You don't have to be concerned about the wire type if you run speaker wire between desk speakers or monitors on bookshelves. You should look for units rated CL2 and CL3 if you plan to run wire within your walls. You should only use wire that is rated for direct burial if you plan to run wire outdoors and/or underground.

Inductance

Inductance is the resistance that results from a change of electrical current. Inductance is a property of all conductors, including speaker wires. You might encounter resistance more frequently if your speaker wire is used in an area where electricity voltage fluctuates. To minimize resistance, it is best to use speaker wires of a lower gauge.

FAQs

Which Wire Is Best For Speakers?

High-end cables made with silver conductors have lower resistance, and therefore will result in lower power losses. What is the real issue? Can you tell the difference between an inexpensive pure copper speaker cable or a more expensive audiophile speaker speaker cable? The difference will be hard to hear for most people. You can make a difference by buying a speaker wire with a smaller gauge (10 or 12 AWG), and a copper conductor.

What Type Of Wire Do You Need?

A copper, silver or copper-clad aluminium wire must conduct and carry electric current. You will need a wire that has a CL2 or CL3 rating if you plan to use your wire underground or inside walls. You can make installation super simple by purchasing wire with pre-installed connectors. However, bare wire will still work just as well.

Are High-end Speaker Cables Worth It?

It is not worth spending a lot on high-end speakers cables, particularly if there are areas in your system that would benefit from an upgrade. It's not likely that your music will be affected by expensive cables as long as it is low-resistance. This is an important topic that's being heatedly debated and some audiophiles have different opinions. It doesn't matter what your cable sounds like to you. If that happens, then go for it.

How Much Wire Do You Need?

As far as distance between speakers and amplifiers, you need the same amount of speaker wire. To get the best accuracy, run a string along the intended route of each wire and measure it. For those occasions when you might need some slack, we recommend that you add a few inches to either side. You can trim speaker wires with a wire cutter but cannot add any wire to an unbalanced unit. If your cable runs over 50 feet you will need to buy a 12 or 14 AWG thicker wire.

What Happens If You Wire A Speaker Backward?

Don't worry. You won't damage your speakers. You can only reverse the speaker's polarity if you connect your speakers backward. The speaker will pull when it is supposed to push, and vice versa. You may not notice any difference in the sound quality if you flip the polarity of both speakers. You will hear a difference in sound quality if you only reverse the polarity of one speaker.

Is Thicker Speaker Wire Better?

For long distances, we recommend thicker wire. Use the thickest possible wire for your application. A 12 AWG instead of 16 AWG is not going to make a significant difference in sound quality over short distances. If you have an existing 16 AWG wire you do not need to purchase a thicker one. Although the improvements in short distances can be measured, they cannot be heard.

How Do I Know Which Speaker Wire Length To Buy?

There are many benefits to using shorter speaker wires. To use smaller wires, you need to minimize space between the amplifier and speakers. You should also ensure that your speaker wires are the same length.

Are High-end Speaker Cables Worth It?

A moderately priced speaker cable of 12 to 10 gauge with a copper conductor is not much different from a high-end, expensive speaker cable. You don't need to purchase high-end speakers cables unless your goal is to be an audiophile.

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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.