Well audio system version two is about to begin on the S.

I am adding Sirius satellite radio to my Kenwood head unit and as such will be working on the system. So I thought that I might do some wiring upgrades at the same time and later as funds allow upgrade my amp. I will likely be replacing the 10 gauge amp power and ground wires with 8 gauge and swapping out the RCA's. So I'll have the interior opened up. Anyway the amp I'm contemplating will replace my current amp (35 Watts RMS) with a more powerful unit that will push 75 Watts RMS to the Focal Components (Access 165A's) in the doors.

So I'm wondering if I should replace the factory speaker wiring that still exists in the system. How necessary is it to run a higher gauge of wire? Will the stock wiring handle 75 Watts RMS? Will I see a significant improvement using say 14-16 gauge wiring? I really don't want to pull the doors apart and deal with getting wiring through the grommets unless a significant improvement would be realized in doing so.

JeffA

 

stock wiring will work fine, you would not hear the differance.

 

I agree! Stock wiring in my 03 is 22 gage, sufficent for 150 watts even in a bundle.
Andy

 

I disagree. You should upgrade the wiring. Will you hear the difference maybe not however those wires are going to get pretty warm.

75 watt's / 14.4 volts = 5.21 amps
75 watt's / 12 volt = 6.25 amps

You should upgrade to a 16 gauge wire.

 

OMG it is such a PAIN IN THE A$$ feeding the new wire through the door. Expect sore and bloody fingers!

 

Not really, you just need the right tools. I ran a 4 conductor 14 gauge into my door no problem.

 

Its really easy to run through the doors. Yeah you should get a larger wire, dont want to melt those wires.

I used a clothe hanger, straighten one end out, feed it thru the door into the car, create a small hook with the end of the hanger, hook the speaker wire on it, using electrical tape, tape it all up nice and tight and to make sure the wires dont come off. Then pull it back thru, use some lubricant, i used KY Jelly and it worked great, slid right thru and it wont hurt the cables since its water based. Hardest part was getting the hanger into the car with out breaking the plastic between the door and the car.

 

Actually here are the instructions I followed by Oatnet.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...c=229179&st=25

GO down about halfway down.

 

You can always use a piece of 12 gauge THHN or large plastic tie-wrap. I honestly don't suggest the wire hanger only because it can cut the other wires in the tube. Use something that is heavy but bendable. Make sure you don't hook the stock wires when you pull the new speaker wire though the hole.

 

Yeah you have to be very careful, that was the part that took the longest, getting thru the plastic without snagging any wires, or ripping the rubber. If you are careful enough, it can be done. Just have patience.