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
Hi B4icu,My amp is a McIntosh MC452,the manual details "wide band damping factor" greater than 40. My speaker cable is 10Ga, the length is 20 feet. What do you think? Many thanks.Joe
Mr. donpepe

You are good.
The DF of your Amp. is relatively low, (see my answer above to Mr.  Mr. echols8).
@djones51 I’d guess you’re pretty low on the food chain. Or maybe a social pariah. Certainly immature. In any case it’s your credibility that’s taking a hit here, not the OPs. If you’re so dim as to not get out of a situation you don’t like, then I’m sure people here would be happy to invite you to leave.
You think so, how sweet of you to notice. Look through the posts my math isn't wrong and neither is his it's just he's measuring the wrong thing. Not to mention when you consider the impedance and voice coil resistance of the speakers makes his attempt at handing out cable recommendations by forum post even more ridiculous. 
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