Marine grade speaker/subwoofer wire?

[tlrobinson]

The subwoofer on my boat seems to have given out, and I suspect it's the wire, which looks like it has corroded. Is there special marine grade subwoofer wire I can get somewhere, or will car audio quality wire work?

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Marine grade speaker/subwoofer wire?

You can get "marine grade" speaker wire (pricey) that has extra insulation and sealed ends to protect from moisture, but I have used 18ga doorbell wire for my speakers. It is solid copper rather than twisted strands and I use liquid electrical tape to seal the ends. Haven't had a problem so far.

 

[Slide]

Re: Marine grade speaker/subwoofer wire?

Non-marine-grade standard copper wire will ALWAYS corrode eventually. You should always use marine-grade wire unless you plan on replacing it every 2-3 years.

Marine grade wire doesn't have extra insulation (generally), but is instead tinned to guard against corrosion. It's a pretty minimal upcharge over standard wire, and you will save against replacing cheaper non-marine wire in the long run.

 

[delirious]

Re: Marine grade speaker/subwoofer wire?

i have been an audio installer for years....never used marine grade wire, has never had an issue with wire frm installs years ago. been back to boats i have done in those early years to replace different components, but NEVER wire. i have seen copper go black in both cars and boats alike, a little bit of emery cloth gets the ends all copper n purdee again. IMHO i think a lot ( not all) marine grade stuff is joke, just to get a few more dollars out of an owner of a high priced toy...kinda like the extra $$$$$ bikers pay for stuff with the harley logo on it, when the same generic piece is 50 percent less and runs off the same assembly line. most of the time i dont even use marine speakers or head units...never used marine amps or wire. I would test the sub for "popping" with a 9v battery, and your sub wires with an old "test" speaker at the amp and sub location

 

[Cruzomatic]

Re: Marine grade speaker/subwoofer wire?

I don't know....but I went with marine grade wire. I used www.gregsmarinewiresupply.com....great prices and fast shipping. Just in case.