stereo amp speaker wiring/power wiring
 

Getting ready to install (2) amps in cabin storage compartment. What is the minimum distance required between power wires and speaker wires to reduce noise in the system?

I ran separate 12v and ground wires from battery to distribution blocks. I kept my speaker wires about 5" from the power runs as they ran through the gunwales however as the wires get closer to the compartment where the amps will be located, the distance between the wires is slim (if not side by side). I ran a test (nothing secured) based on how I felt all would finally be installed and when I raised up my engine hatch, I could hear the whine through the speakers. I did not run a test yet with the motors running.

What are some of the secrets or tips on running the right amount of clearance between the wires?. I used all good quality "stinger" wires, blocks etc.

BTW, Polk Audio 400w amps powering 4 Polk Audio MMC6500's

Thanks!! :D

I usually don't have any noise. You can't avoid having pwr/spr wire close together in a boat. But also since the amp is mounted in a FG boat, there is no noise.
Noise usually comes from the head unit 1st, then the amps. If you hear noise, see if it adjusts w/ volume control.
If through amps, then the amps are not shielded very good. Noise RARELY comes from the wires themselves.

Bill is right... it's not the speaker wires you need to worry about. Those are low impedance and fairly imune to common mode noise. You need to worry about the high impedance side (output from head unit/input to amp). I've had some real problems before with crossovers and ground loops creating all kinds of noise. You can put an isolator on to cure that.

While the 12 Vdc on the power line can not cause any noise radiation, alternator, ignintion and other motor noises can be found on there. Use one of these on each 12 Volt run to clean it up and prevent problems. There's no downside to using them.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-G0ZCAKX...=890&I=003S25A

use high quality rca cords and keep them away from the power and ground.

Good answer. Use the best RCA cords you can afford and run them away from your power and you should be ok. Monster Cable or Pheonix Gold Professinal RCA's make the differnce. They are all triple shielded.

I second (or third) that! ;)