Mercury Economy Figure 8 Speaker Cable 2 x 13 - Black/White (100m)

The Mercury Economy Figure 8 Speaker Cable is a 100m reel of 2-core speaker cable with copper-clad aluminium (CCA) conductors, each containing 13 strands of 0.2mm diameter wire. The cable has a 0.41mm² cross-sectional area and is rated for a maximum continuous current of 2.5A, making it suitable for low-power speaker connections in residential and commercial background audio installations.

Designed for budget-conscious multi-room audio projects, the cable suits compact bookshelf speakers, ceiling speakers in retail or hospitality environments, and home hi-fi systems where speaker distances are moderate and power requirements are low. The figure 8 profile (2.0mm x 4.0mm overall dimensions) allows the two cores to be easily separated when terminating into speaker terminals or binding posts, while the black outer sheath with a white polarity line on one core provides clear visual identification to maintain correct phase across a stereo pair or distributed speaker network.

CCA conductors offer a lighter weight and lower cost alternative to pure copper, though they carry slightly higher resistance per metre. For this cable at 0.41mm² CSA, runs under 10-15 metres to 8-ohm speakers minimise signal loss. The 100m reel provides sufficient length for typical multi-room installations or small commercial projects without requiring joins, and the cable can be cut to length as needed. The outer sheath is PVC with low smoke emission characteristics.

What's the maximum recommended speaker cable run length?

At 0.41mm² CSA, keep runs under 10-15 metres to 8-ohm speakers to minimise resistance and signal loss. Longer runs or lower-impedance speakers benefit from a thicker cable with higher CSA such as 0.75mm² or 1.5mm².

What does CCA mean and how does it differ from pure copper?

CCA stands for copper-clad aluminium — an aluminium core with a thin copper coating. It's lighter and cheaper than pure copper cable but carries higher electrical resistance, so it's best suited to short runs and low-power applications. Pure copper cable is preferred for longer runs or higher-power speakers.

How do I identify which core is positive?

The black sheath has a white polarity line running along one of the two cores. This marked core is conventionally used as the positive (+) connection, while the unmarked core is used as negative (-). Maintaining consistent polarity across all speakers in a system ensures correct phase and prevents sound cancellation issues.

Can this cable be used outdoors?

No. The PVC sheath is designed for indoor use only. For outdoor or damp environments, use a cable with a UV-resistant and weatherproof sheath rated for exterior installation.