18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 from Red Cable Technology is designed for reliable audio wiring in residential and commercial buildings where speaker cables are routed through walls, floors, shafts, and vertical pathways. Featuring two 18 AWG stranded oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors, this speaker wire provides dependable conductivity, flexibility, and consistent audio transmission for a variety of speaker and distributed audio applications.
The cable is designed for riser-rated installations, making it suitable for vertical cable runs between floors and other approved in-wall pathways where fire-performance requirements apply. Its flexible stranded construction makes installation easier through conduits, bends, and wall cavities while helping maintain clear and stable audio performance.
Features & Specifications
- Cable Type: 18/2 Speaker Wire Riser
- Configuration: 18/2
- Conductor Count: 2 Conductors
- Wire Gauge: 18 AWG
- Conductor Type: Stranded Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC)
- Jacket Rating: CL3R / CMR
- Installation Rating: Riser
- Voltage Rating: 300 Volts
- Shielding: Unshielded
- Capacitance: Approximately 20–25 pF/ft
- Conductor Design: High-strand count
- Applications: Speaker Systems, Distributed Audio, Background Music, 70V Paging Systems
- Installation: In-Wall, Vertical Pathways, Riser Spaces, Floor-to-Floor Audio Runs
- Suitable For: Residential and Commercial Audio Installations
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 Performance
The 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 is designed to provide consistent audio transmission for speaker and distributed audio systems. Its two 18 AWG conductors provide a practical configuration for connecting speakers and audio equipment across residential and commercial installations.
The stranded OFC conductor construction provides excellent flexibility while maintaining reliable electrical conductivity. This makes the cable easier to route through wall cavities, conduits, and other pathways where flexibility is important during installation.
With approximately 20–25 pF/ft capacitance, the cable is designed to help maintain audio clarity, particularly in applications where stable signal transmission is important.
Stranded 18 AWG Oxygen-Free Copper Conductors
This speaker wire uses two 18 AWG stranded oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors. The high-strand-count construction provides greater flexibility than solid-conductor speaker wire, making it easier to pull and route through bends and installation pathways.
OFC conductors provide reliable conductivity for speaker and audio applications. The 18 AWG conductor size is well suited for many standard speaker wiring applications, including distributed audio and background music systems.
The two-conductor 18/2 configuration provides a straightforward connection between compatible amplifiers, audio equipment, and speakers.
CL3R / CMR Riser-Rated Construction
The cable is specified with a CL3R / CMR riser rating for approved vertical and in-wall installations.
Riser-rated cable is intended for applications where cable is routed vertically between floors or through approved riser pathways. The jacket construction is designed to help meet applicable flame-spread requirements for these types of installations.
This makes the cable suitable for speaker wiring routed through building walls, shafts, and other approved vertical pathways.
Always verify the cable’s actual jacket markings, listing, and local electrical and building code requirements before installation.
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 300 Volt Speaker Wire
The 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 is rated at 300 volts, making it suitable for a wide range of compatible low-voltage and distributed audio applications.
The 300-volt rating provides additional flexibility for commercial audio systems, background music installations, paging systems, and other compatible speaker wiring applications.
The cable should always be used within its rated voltage and according to the requirements of the connected audio equipment.
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 Low Capacitance for Audio Clarity
The cable has an approximate capacitance of 20–25 pF/ft. Low cable capacitance can help preserve high-frequency audio characteristics and maintain consistent signal performance across speaker runs.
This makes the cable a practical choice for applications where clear and stable audio reproduction is important.
Actual audio performance depends on cable length, speaker impedance, amplifier output, installation conditions, and the overall audio system design.
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 Applications
This 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 can be used for a variety of residential and commercial audio applications, including:
- Background music systems
- Distributed audio systems
- 70V paging systems
- Commercial speaker systems
- Ceiling speaker installations
- Wall-mounted speaker installations
- Small satellite speaker systems
- Multi-room audio systems
- Residential home audio
- Commercial buildings
- Offices
- Schools
- Retail spaces
- In-wall speaker wiring
- Vertical floor-to-floor speaker runs
- Riser pathway installations
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 Multi-Story Audio Systems
The 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 is well suited for vertical speaker runs in multi-story buildings. Its riser-rated construction allows compatible audio wiring to be routed through approved vertical pathways while providing dependable signal transmission.
The flexible stranded conductors make it easier for installers to route the cable through walls, shafts, conduits, and other building pathways.
For multi-floor installations, always confirm that the cable’s listing and rating meet the requirements of the specific building and installation location.
Commercial Sound Installations
Commercial audio systems often require speaker cables to be routed through walls, ceilings, and vertical pathways. The 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 provides a practical two-conductor solution for compatible commercial sound installations.
It can be used for background music, paging, distributed audio, and small speaker systems in environments such as offices, schools, retail stores, and other commercial facilities.
Its stranded OFC construction provides flexibility during installation, while the riser-rated jacket is designed for approved vertical applications.
In-Wall and Riser Speaker Wiring
The 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 is designed for permanent speaker wiring where cables are installed inside walls or routed through approved riser pathways.
Its two-conductor design simplifies speaker connections, while the flexible stranded construction makes routing and termination easier.
Before installation, verify the cable rating required for the specific pathway. Riser-rated cable should not be installed in plenum spaces unless it also carries the required plenum rating.
18/2 Speaker Wire for 70V Audio Systems
This cable can be used for compatible 70V distributed audio and paging systems, including background music and small satellite speaker installations.
The two 18 AWG conductors provide the positive and negative connections required for compatible speaker circuits. The actual maximum cable distance and performance will depend on the amplifier output, speaker load, system configuration, installation method, and applicable voltage-drop requirements.
For longer runs or higher-power systems, installers should calculate voltage drop and select the appropriate conductor size for the application.
Industry Standards & Installation Requirements
Speaker wire installations may be subject to electrical, fire, building, and local code requirements depending on the installation location.
For information about electrical safety and applicable electrical installation requirements, refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 70 is the National Electrical Code and provides requirements related to safe electrical design, installation, and inspection.
You can also visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for additional information about fire, electrical, and life-safety codes and standards.
Riser-rated cable should not be installed in plenum spaces unless the specific cable also carries the required plenum rating. Always verify local codes, cable markings, listing requirements, and the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction before installation.
Flexible Stranded Speaker Wire Construction
Unlike solid-conductor speaker wire, this product uses stranded OFC conductors. The multiple strands provide greater flexibility, which can be especially useful when routing speaker cable through bends, conduits, and confined installation spaces.
This construction can make pulling and termination easier for installers while providing reliable performance for permanent audio wiring.
Why Choose Red Cable Technology?
Red Cable Technology provides professional cabling solutions for networking, audio, fire alarm, and other low-voltage applications. Our products are designed with practical installation requirements in mind, offering clearly defined specifications and reliable construction for residential and commercial projects.
For networking applications, explore our Cat6 Cables and Cat6a Cables for additional structured cabling solutions from Red Cable Technology.
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 FAQs
What is 18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3?
18/2 Speaker Wire CL2/CL3 is a two-conductor, 18 AWG speaker cable designed for compatible residential and commercial audio applications. This product uses stranded oxygen-free copper conductors and is specified with a CL3R / CMR riser rating.
What does 18/2 mean?
18/2 means the cable contains two 18 AWG conductors. The two conductors provide the positive and negative connections required for compatible speaker and audio equipment.
Is this speaker wire stranded or solid?
This product uses stranded oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors. The high-strand-count construction provides flexibility for easier pulling and routing during installation.
What is the conductor size?
The cable uses 18 AWG conductors.
What is the jacket rating?
The supplied specifications identify the cable as CL3R / CMR riser-rated. Always verify the actual cable jacket markings and listing before installation.
Is this cable suitable for plenum spaces?
No, not based on the supplied specifications. Riser-rated cable should not be installed in plenum spaces unless the specific cable also has the required plenum rating.
Can 18/2 Speaker Wire be used in residential homes?
Yes. It can be used for compatible residential speaker systems, including home audio, multi-room audio, and in-wall speaker installations where the cable’s rating meets the installation requirements.
Can this cable be used for commercial audio?
Yes. The cable is suitable for compatible commercial audio applications such as background music, distributed audio, paging, and small speaker systems.
Can this speaker wire be used for 70V systems?
Yes, it can be used for compatible 70V distributed audio and paging systems, provided the cable size, voltage rating, system load, and installation requirements are appropriate for the application.
What is the voltage rating?
The supplied specification lists a 300-volt rating.
What is the capacitance of the cable?
The supplied specification lists approximately 20–25 pF/ft capacitance. Lower capacitance can help maintain high-frequency audio characteristics over cable runs.
What is the advantage of OFC conductors?
Oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors provide reliable electrical conductivity, while the stranded construction provides flexibility for easier installation and routing.
Where is 18/2 Speaker Wire Riser commonly installed?
It is commonly used for compatible speaker wiring in multi-story buildings, offices, schools, retail spaces, residential homes, in-wall pathways, shafts, and approved riser pathways.
Is riser-rated speaker wire suitable for vertical installations?
Yes. Riser-rated cable is intended for approved vertical pathways and floor-to-floor installations where the cable’s rating meets the applicable requirements.
Does speaker wire affect sound quality?
Cable selection can affect electrical performance depending on conductor size, length, impedance, capacitance, and system load. Properly sized and installed 18 AWG speaker wire can provide consistent audio performance for many compatible speaker applications.
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