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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 Mr.  keppertup

I spoke yesterday with the guy I did the domo for, and he said that the smile is still on his face...
He has two sets of Amplification.
A set of two mono blocks, made by an Israeli firm, and an H2O.
We tried it first with the moco blocks, as they were his favorites.
But there was a problem. There was no Spec on the web site or anywhere, about the Amp's DF!
We called the maker, to find out the missing data. He claimed they do not know, as it never been measured because it is insignificant and doesn't matter.
Unfortunately for him' it was after my cables were hooked. So the DF vs Cable's resistance were proven already. 
The conversation was ended with a look saying all and we switched to the H2O (DF=1,600). It stayed there till the end of the Demo.
It is so bizarre, that people (so called Audiophiles), tend to argue a subject, they know nothing about, never tried it and still do it. Why?


millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
How to select a good speaker cable:
1) Compare by listening.
2) Compare by reading what others heard by listening.
3) Right. As if. There are no other ways. Either you listen, or they do. All else is BS.
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Mr.  millercarbon

You have no idea how to select a speaker cable. Trust me on that. A speaker cable can be calculated per Amp's DF and cable length.
I do it, and it works. look above!
All you think is not based on knowledge. It's your wild guess as you have nothing better.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
0. Even 00. Done.
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
558 posts
 
Mr. glupson

You and the others here, who have all ignorant says about my idea, without having the knowledge and never tried it, is an insult.
It's like you would come to a ped lock party, empty handed, but keep criticizing the food and beverage that all others brought. What kind of a person does that?

I have no idea why you do it, what kind of a person you are and what is it for you to gain, by doing so?

I can tell you that "all" who tried it, was pleasantly surprised from the results.
The sound improved, the bass got clear, tight and strong, like a hidden subwoofer been added, and the mid and highs got crystal clear. It was like the speakers got a new life, and a heavy cover was removed from them. The sound improved by so much.
None of them wanted to go back to their thing (#14-12 awg) cable.  
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