Copper-clad aluminium wire can look the same as other copper wire on the outside since it’s essentially aluminium that is coated in a thin layer of copper. You need to see it head-on in order to see the aluminium in the centre.

It’s less expensive than a wire that’s made up entirely of copper such as OFC. It’s also lighter than pure copper wire.

CCA does a better job of conducting electricity than a wire made entirely out of aluminium. The copper coating helps, but it’s still not as good as a pure copper wire. It’s also stronger than pure aluminium wire, but weaker than pure copper.

CCA is essentially a big upgrade over plain aluminium wire, but it’s still a step down from OFC. Even for a budget car audio build, it’s recommended to save up and get pure copper wire instead of using CCA.