Not all wire of the same gauge is created equal. The more strands, and the more pure copper is in those strands, the more current the wire can carry and generally the more flexible it is. That's why TQ wire can be one gauge smaller, but carry DC current equavilent to conventional strand count two gauges higher. Also, the less pure copper, the more overall resistance the piece of wire has, robbing current from your motor and generating heat.

Also, insulation on speaker wire is usually PVC, which can be molded in all sorts of pretty colors, but is not very heat tolerant at all while soldering. RC wire is generally high temp silicone, which also forms a tighter bond against the wire strands, preventing water intrusion which causes corrosion in short order inside wire insulation.

Bottom line, one is meant for indoor, out of the weather use, and the other is spec'd to go the distance in an RC application. But hey, if a pro does it, it MUST be right! It's ALL about the bling!

ETA: Found the link at wallyworld.com WalMart wire, click here Of note is the review that says ".... i compared this product 14 gauge to a true 16 gauge and it is more like 16 not 14. it is much smaller that a original 14". Strand count is not listed. Likely it's also got a high tin content to the wires, making them brittle when exposed to the weather for extended periods (like using your RC car outdoors or in high humidity environments).

If in fact it's more like 16 gauge, well, we only use 16 gauge on 10th and 12th pan cars, and then ONLY very high current rated high spec wire. Anything less and even on 1S, the motor wires'll get hot enough to desolder themselves.


Not trying to crap on anyone's head, but this is low spec, low price speaker wire......there are much better choices for an RC vehicle, both performance and longevity wise.