16/2 Speaker Wire Riser CL2/CL3 Rated Stranded Bare Copper Unshielded
Best reliable speaker wire for professional in-wall audio installations.
This 16/2 Speaker Wire Riser is engineered for reliable audio distribution in both residential and commercial settings. It utilizes two 16 AWG stranded bare copper conductors, ensuring excellent signal clarity and conductivity for your sound system. The cable features a durable PVC jacket with a CL2/CL3 Riser rating, meeting NEC standards for safe vertical installation in wall cavities and shafts by resisting flame spread. Its stranded design offers superior flexibility for easier installation through conduits. This 500ft spool is an optimal choice for moderate-length runs, providing a dependable connection for home theaters or distributed audio setups.
$129.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1448
/ 5849
#1448 in Audio & Video Cables
Price vs Category Average
-76%
Below average
Gauge
16
/ AWG
Who it's for
- Professional installers needing to meet strict building safety codes
- Audiophiles prioritizing clear sound and minimal signal loss
- DIYers routing cables through tight corners and complex conduits
Who should skip it
- Home theater enthusiasts planning very long cable runs
- Users installing cables near high-noise power lines or equipment
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking the most affordable basic speaker wire
Performance breakdown
Signal Integrity
Bare copper conductors ensure minimal resistance for high-fidelity audio transmission.
Installation Flexibility
Stranded design allows for effortless routing through tight conduits and corners.
Safety Compliance
Riser-rated jacket meets rigorous NEC standards for vertical wall installations.
Durability
Robust PVC casing provides reliable protection against environmental wear and tear.
Ease of Termination
Standard 16 AWG gauge simplifies stripping and connecting to audio terminals.
Deployment Versatility
Ideal length and rating for both residential and commercial audio projects.
Key Specs
Gauge
16 AWG
Conductors
2
Conductor Material
Stranded Bare Copper
Jacket Rating
Riser-rated (CL3R/CL2)
Length
500 ft
Shielding
Unshielded
Jacket Material
PVC
Certifications
CL3R, CL2
Features
- CL3R/CL2 Riser Rated for vertical runs
- Stranded bare copper conductors enhance flexibility
- Durable PVC jacket meets NEC flame resistance
- Ideal for home theater and commercial audio
- Provides clean signal transmission
- UL-listed quality assurance included
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise this speaker wire for its exceptional value and reliable quality, especially for permanent installations. A key highlight is the use of true stranded bare copper, ensuring superior signal integrity compared to common CCA alternatives. This commitment to material quality delivers enhanced performance and longevity. The CL2/CL3 Riser rating provides essential peace of mind for in-wall use, meeting necessary fire safety codes. Installation is reported as smooth; the wire pulls and terminates easily. While the durable jacket makes extremely tight bends slightly challenging, users feel the professional grade quality at this price point makes it an obvious, top-tier choice for dependable, code-compliant audio setups.
Know before you buy
These ratings indicate that the cable jacket meets specific fire safety standards for vertical installations. It is certified for use inside wall cavities and through floor-to-floor risers, ensuring the cable won't contribute to flame spread in the event of a fire.
Stranded copper is significantly more flexible than solid wire, which makes it much easier to pull through tight conduits, corners, and wall cavities. This flexibility reduces the risk of the wire kinking or breaking during complex installations.
No, this cable is designed for indoor use only. The PVC jacket is not rated for direct burial or prolonged exposure to UV rays and moisture, which can degrade the insulation over time.
This is an unshielded cable, which is standard for most residential and commercial speaker applications. Because speaker wire carries a high-level signal, it is generally resistant to the electromagnetic interference that would affect low-voltage data or microphone cables.
For most home audio setups, 16 AWG wire is ideal for runs up to 50 feet. If you are planning to run your speakers significantly further than that, you may want to consider a thicker gauge, such as 14 AWG, to prevent signal loss.
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