Selecting the Proper Speaker Wire

SONANCE MERLOT® MR/SSMR

For the best sound we recommend that you use premium Sonance MediaLinQ® speaker cable, which also complies with UL fire rating codes. You may also experiment with audiophile brands of speaker cable and interconnects, but be sure to check local codes governing wire that may be installed within walls or ceilings. Different brands of wire can have different sonic characteristics, and some may be more compatible with the sonic “signature” of your various audio system components.

For the best sound you should never use thin-gauge speaker wire – it will constrict the sound and diminish bass response. Extra resistance in the speaker wire can make a speaker sound less dynamic and reduce definition of the bass frequencies. In extreme cases, it can even attenuate high frequencies. Also, amplifier power is wasted in thin wire with extra resistance, reducing your system’s maximum output level. To prevent degrading sound quality, the total wire resistance should be less than 10% of the speaker’s impedance. This means that for an 8-ohm speaker, the total resistance of the wire should be less than

0.8ohms. Refer to Figure 5 when selecting the proper wire gauge for your system.

Preparing the Installation Location

WIRE RESISTANCE IN OHMS VS. LENGTH OF CABLE RUN

Distance in Feet	50'	100'	150'	200'	250'	300'

20 gauge	1.04	2.07	3.11	4.14	5.18	6.22

18 gauge	.65	1.30	1.96	2.61	3.26	3.91

16 gauge	.41	.82	1.22	1.63	2.04	2.45
14 gauge	.26	.52	.77	1.03	1.29	1.55
12 gauge	.16	.32	.49	.65	.81	.97
10 gauge	.10	.20	.31	.41	.51	.61

Figure 5: Speaker Wire Resistance Table

Building a Back Box into the Wall Stud Bay

Sonance Merlot MR-series speakers are designed to provide exceptionally musical performance in a wide variety of enclo- sure volumes. You can get the very best performance from your speakers by partitioning a section of the stud bay to form a sealed back box with a specific internal volume. Building such an enclosure will create a dramatic improvement in your speakers’ bass performance and power handling. The ideal back box volume for the Merlot 422M, 421M and 421SSMR is 0.25 ft3.

Optional Merlot M-Series Speaker Enclosures

For installations where it isn’t possible to partition the stud bay into a back box, installing optional Merlot MR Acoustic Enclosures (part #92445) will noticeably improve your speakers’ bass performance and power handling and will significantly reduce sound transmission into adjacent rooms and spaces. These enclosures are made from ½”-thick MDF and are designed to be installed in new construction only.

To reduce sound transmission into adjacent rooms in installations where it isn’t possible to install a Merlot M Acoustic Enclosure (such as when you’re retrofitting the speakers into an existing wall), you can fit the speakers with optional Merlot MR-Series Retrofit Enclosures (part #92443). This enclosure is designed specifically to be used with Merlot MR and SSMR- series speakers, and will noticeably reduce sound “spillover” from the rears of the speakers into adjacent rooms and spaces.