Are Speaker cables and power cables that hook to the battery the same thing? Im looking for a 16 gauge but all I see are "50 ft heavy duty speaker wires"

 

If by same thing you mean same size, then no. Power wire will be usually 4 or 8 awg wire for your power and ground. Speaker wire can be anywhere from 22 awg down to 8 awg but, most speaker wire will be around 16 awg or so. Most automotive wire is simple stranded copper wire but, the wire for your battery and ground should be alot heavier than your speaker wire.

 

where are you looking? go to bestbuy/circuit city and you can buy a wiring kit if you're trying to hook up an aftermarket amp.

SSTS