2. cables
  3. 158690-118990

How to select a good Speaker Cable

Speaker cables do have a significant role in how our system sounds. Different cables sound different. 

So which one is the right one for you?

The Speaker Cable is an extension of the Amp. and not an addition to the speaker's load. It shall have a certain resistance (low) not to spoil the Amp's DF figure. As so, it can be calculated and there is a formula to do it.

The higher the Amp's DF, the lower the Speaker Cable's resistance shall be. As today SS power Amp's get DFs of 400 and above (Digital Amps go by thousands) the cable of 10 ft (3m) long, gets as thick as 0 AWG.

I can see your eyebrows elevates, when that thick cable is to be deal with. Most Speaker Cable makers skip it because of that. So most cables on the market (regardless of the look or price) are of 14-12 AWG. Way less that supposed to be.

Worst! no Speaker Cable maker, dealer or seller knows the answer, of what is the correct cable for your system. 

So most of us ended up, with a cables too thin for the task.

A conducted test, on this site, about a year ago as well as with some closer friends, shows a significant improvement with a calculated size cable over their previous cable. The results were all positive and preferred the calculated cable.

So, instead of asking: which of two brands, or two prices or two colors of Speaker Cable do I need, you should ask how thick of a Speaker Cable do I need.

I'll be happy to provide you the calculation, for who request it. All you need to provide is:

1). Length (Ft. or meter)

2). The Amp's DF figure.

Thanks


128x128b4icu
keppertup
26 posts
 
Micheal,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WELDING-CABLE-1-0-BLACK-25-FT-BATTERY-LEADS-USA-NEW-Gauge-Copper-AWG-Solar/...

Hope this helps.  Price includes approximately $20 shipping within US.  The listing does state that they ship internationally.

I just ordered this cable for 2x 0 AWG experiment.

I did add a 12 AWG pair of cables to the existing 0 AWG cables.  The sound changed.  My interest in the experiment has increased.

Used Devialet 120’s are pretty reasonable after considering the package includes a preamp, amplifier, DAC and a two-way electronic crossover.

Best regards,

J
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Thanks

kozka
130 posts
 

Different cables sound different.



if cables sound....stick them into your ears....then tell us how do they sound, ok?

b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Mr. kozka

Your name is a "dice" (kocka) in Hungarian. Best regards (Egészségért).

To whom do you answer with your post?

For the sake of this conversation, we are in speaker cables and their effect on the system’s sound. Just semantics...
They do make a difference. It can be shown with calculations.
It can be demonstrated by two different cables, of the same length, but different cross section.

No one recommend to stuck a cable into someone's ear. Especially not one as thick as
#0 awg as I offered to some.



mahlman
433 posts
 
I just love cable fantasies combined with insanity. Say do you need a cable cooker to make these work right? Are they directional?
More to discover