Why Xclusive Autosound Does NOT Allow CCA Wire in Any Installation

The truth about cheap power wire—and why we only use real copper (OFC) to protect your system and your vehicle.

At Xclusive Autosound, we’ve spent over 27 years building a reputation for clean, reliable, high-performance car audio installations. A huge part of delivering that performance comes down to something customers rarely think about: the quality of the power wire feeding their amplifier.

Most big-box amplifier kits and online bundles include something called CCA wire (Copper Clad Aluminum). It looks like copper, feels like copper—but performs nothing like copper. And while it’s cheaper up front, it becomes one of the most expensive mistakes anyone can make in car audio.

This is why we do NOT use CCA wire in any installation. Using full OFC copper isn’t an upgrade or an option—it’s a requirement to protect your vehicle, your equipment, and your investment.

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The False Economy of CCA Wire

CCA wire is marketed as a bargain, but the problems are hidden beneath the surface. It’s commonly sold in large spools online or bundled into “budget” amp kits designed to look like copper but perform far worse.

In real-world use, CCA wire:

• Runs significantly hotter than copper
• Drops voltage under load
• Reduces amplifier output
• Limits system loudness
• Fails faster than copper
• Corrodes and oxidizes more quickly
• Creates callbacks, headaches, and unnecessary repairs

The small savings at checkout quickly turn into large losses in performance, reliability, and additional labor. At Xclusive Autosound, we do not build systems with materials that compromise quality or customer satisfaction.

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What CCA Wire Really Is

Copper Clad Aluminum: A Cheap Imposter

CCA wire is aluminum wire coated in a thin layer of copper. Manufacturers use it because aluminum is cheaper and lighter. But aluminum has far worse electrical properties than true copper.

Customers are often told it’s “just like copper.” It isn’t. Under load, CCA behaves like aluminum—not copper—and performance drops sharply.

This is why Xclusive Autosound uses 100% OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) for every power wire run. OFC provides superior current flow, stability, and long-term reliability.

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The Three Critical Problems with CCA Wire

1. Excessive Heat Buildup

Aluminum has approximately 61% higher electrical resistance than copper. That resistance turns into heat every time your amplifier draws current.

Excess heat can cause:

• Melted insulation
• Blown fuses
• Amplifiers entering protect mode
• Dangerous electrical failures

We refuse to install anything that risks your equipment—or your vehicle.

2. Massive Voltage Drop

Your amplifier needs proper voltage to deliver proper power. If your amp needs 14.4 volts but only receives 12 volts because CCA wire is choking the current, the entire system suffers.

Voltage drop results in:

• Weaker bass
• Reduced output
• Clipped dynamic peaks
• Amplifiers that sound underpowered

CCA wire can reduce amplifier performance by 30–40%. A “1000-watt” amplifier may only deliver the output of a 600-watt unit when fed through CCA wire.

3. Reduced System Loudness and Quality

Audio performance is directly tied to available power. If the wire restricts power delivery, the system cannot perform at its potential.

CCA wire limits:

• Maximum volume
• Punch, impact, and bass response
• Dynamic range
• Overall clarity
• Can contribute to amplifier clipping and blown speakers

A system wired with OFC will always outperform the same system wired with CCA—every single time.

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CCA vs. OFC: The Real Comparison