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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
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Hi
Even though you may double the #0 awg, it is far from go all the required way by calculations.
I suspect that the way a D-Class Amp’s DF is calculated, may not be the actual DF.
I’m not shure. So things might be some less extreme than 8,000! 
However, the numbers are still high in relative to an A-B Class.

Doubling would do better. Hope you know how to get there...
Please be kind to update on progress and results.
Thanks.

I figured up of how to make a 4x 0 awg. It is a bit costly here (Israel).
For some #0 awg cable, I about to receive any day now, I paid $130 per
each 20ft cable. So a pair of 10ft. #0 awg, I will end up with $370 for the BOM.
a 4x 0 awg would pile up to way over $1k.
I don’t want to think of what a thicker cable will cost like!
I'm building a cable for domestic demo. 

keppertup
26 posts
 
Dear Michael,

The Devialet site states the following:

What makes a Devialet unique and standing out from any competition is its patenting amplification section ADH (Class A / Class D Hybrid). What you get to hear is the purity of a class A together with the efficiency of a class D. This allows us to have the best of both world.

Secondly, there is a DAC which is an integral part of the amplifier's circuitry and makes it difficult not to use.

Those 2 stages together give us such incredible characteristics such as less than 0.001% THD and less than 0.001 Ohm of output impedance. This alone gives you a damping factor between 6000 and 10000 which is HUGE! That means that the Devialet really holds the speaker. This results in a very precise sound stage and extremely well defined basses.

I buy 0 AWG on eBay for less than $2 per foot ( 1/0 AWG Gauge Copper Wire Cable, Super Vu-Tron Type W 2000V Heavy Duty with a flexible rubber sheath welding cable).  I prefer the "Welding Cable" with a rubber insulation since it is more flexible.  The strands are of a higher gauge.  I have tried "Power Supply Wiring" 0 AWG made with lower gauge strands and vinyl sheath.  It is much more difficult to work with as it not as flexible.  I noticed no difference in sound. 

Are you confident that your calculations apply to Magnepan speakers?  My experience so far suggests they do.

Thanks for your patience and help.

All good wishes,

J


milpai's avatar
milpai
2,410 posts
 
OP,
On a lighter note, with quite a bit of reality:

Easiest way:
1. Know your budget (I am sure you are aware of this)
2. Read user reviews/experience, discuss with them (you are currently doing this)
3. Try the 2-3 cables that you finalized on, in your system (do this if you can)

There might be the best cable on earth that costs $50k. But does it's geometry or resistance or shielding matter to you if you cannot afford it :-)
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Mr. milpai
The budget is really not the issue here.
All members who tried the recommended cable (DIY) ended up spending under $100.-
As Mr. keppertup did, who is one post before yours, says he found a source on eBay, with 0 awg cables, at $2 a foot. (4x6x2=$48).

If you can’t afford $48 or $100, than your kind words and idea may apply.
I think that all can afford such an expense. That’s my reality.
You see, I do not recommend geometry or other snake oil treatments to make a nice profit and charge for a shitty cable $50k.
What I offer is a service for free. The implementation will be really low cost and the results: stunning.

Even better: What else would improve your sound (by any scale) at this amount?

The sonic benefit was huge. The outcome: some remained in contact and we become friends.

I stand behind my say, and I'm NOT the president of the United State :-)
(From the movie Mr. President, with Michael Douglas).

b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Thank you Mr. keppertup

I read about Devialet products and concept, found them to very innovative and creative. They have indede some very interesting products and designs: both electronically as well as the look.
Using D class direct with a DAC is a good idea, saving a lot of circuitry, by driving the output power Amp almost directly with a digital signal...
That shown also in the fantastic Spec. numbers.
Would you please be kind to pass me the link for your cable ($2 per ft.).
Thanks.
I ordered 2 (one red and one blue) of 20ft at $75 each.
The problem is, that because of size and weight, it gets to $130 each,
including shipping. 


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