Shielded power cords will have next to zero positive benefit and may be a negative.
Run the cables in a manner so as to cross them @ 90°.
Run the cables in a manner so as to cross them @ 90°.
Electrical interference questions for speaker cable and adjacent subwoofer power cord
AudiogoN Team,
I am getting a set of speakers with built in powered subwoofers. If the subwoofer amps are onboard the speakers, I need to run the power cords for the subwoofer amps with a routing that is parallel to and adjacent to the speaker cables for the mains and subwoofer. (I plan on using a surge protector for all the electronics, so the subwoofer power cords would have a similar routing as the speaker cables from near my receiver to the speakers.)
1) Do I need to worry about electrical interference from the powered subwoofer power cords running to the sub amps in the speakers if the speaker cables are parallel to and in proximity to the power cords?
2) If interference is an issue, how far apart do they need to be spaced to avoid interference ( a) power cord from speaker cables, b) subwoofer speaker cable from main driver speaker cable)?
3) if interference is an issue, is there a type of speaker cable that I should get that minimizes the interference and enable close placement of the speaker cable to the subwoofer power cord?
4) if interference is an issue and I ran either the power cords or the speaker cables through a metal pipe, would this eliminate the interference and allow the speaker cables and the power cords to be close to each other? Only one type would be placed in the metal pipe.
5) For these custom built speakers, I may have a choice to have a) the subwoofer amps onboard the speakers or b) a single subwoofer amp not in the speakers that would instead be located by my receiver, which would then have its own speaker cable that would run to the subwoofers onboard the speakers. Since this may be a scenario, is it better to have the subwoofer amp onboard the speakers or off of the speakers?
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
I am getting a set of speakers with built in powered subwoofers. If the subwoofer amps are onboard the speakers, I need to run the power cords for the subwoofer amps with a routing that is parallel to and adjacent to the speaker cables for the mains and subwoofer. (I plan on using a surge protector for all the electronics, so the subwoofer power cords would have a similar routing as the speaker cables from near my receiver to the speakers.)
1) Do I need to worry about electrical interference from the powered subwoofer power cords running to the sub amps in the speakers if the speaker cables are parallel to and in proximity to the power cords?
2) If interference is an issue, how far apart do they need to be spaced to avoid interference ( a) power cord from speaker cables, b) subwoofer speaker cable from main driver speaker cable)?
3) if interference is an issue, is there a type of speaker cable that I should get that minimizes the interference and enable close placement of the speaker cable to the subwoofer power cord?
4) if interference is an issue and I ran either the power cords or the speaker cables through a metal pipe, would this eliminate the interference and allow the speaker cables and the power cords to be close to each other? Only one type would be placed in the metal pipe.
5) For these custom built speakers, I may have a choice to have a) the subwoofer amps onboard the speakers or b) a single subwoofer amp not in the speakers that would instead be located by my receiver, which would then have its own speaker cable that would run to the subwoofers onboard the speakers. Since this may be a scenario, is it better to have the subwoofer amp onboard the speakers or off of the speakers?
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
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- 12 posts total
I think the vibrations of the subwoofers in your main speaker cabinet will be a bigger issue than electrical interference from your power cables. Plus the optimal location of the subs in your room may not be the same as the optimal location for your mains which could make a bigger difference than either the electrical interference or the cabinet vibrations. |
@michiganbuckeye, after looking at the specs and descriptions of the M32 and the HINT 6 (not "INT6") I see no particular technical issues related to them that would significantly favor one of the two scenarios you cited vs. the other. So IMO the overriding consideration in choosing between those scenarios, assuming that you separate the cables by a few inches as has been suggested, is the performance of the speaker with the sub amp built in vs. not built in. And as you indicated Ohm should be consulted on that question, especially given that the Ohm F-5015 is apparently still in beta test mode. Also, a minor point: It would be best to refer to the M32 and HINT 6 as "integrated amplifiers." Referring to them as "receivers" might be misleading to some people. And regarding shielded power cords, FWIW I've had fine results using Signal Cable Magic Power Digital Reference double-shielded 12 gauge power cords on two different high quality power amplifiers (a tube-based VAC Renaissance 70/70 MkIII and a solid state Pass XA25). Albeit amplifiers that are significantly less powerful than the M32 or HINT 6, and that in contrast to the M32 and HINT 6 operate in class A and hence do not draw amounts of current that fluctuate widely with the dynamics of the music. (Those power cords are ostensibly intended for use with digital components, but their gauge was/is adequate for use with my amps and I wanted the shielding they provide because they are routed near my phono stage). Of course, such things tend to be very component and system dependent, so YMMV. Finally, if I may say so, kudos on the excellent composition of your posts and questions. Regards, -- Al |
- 12 posts total