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Speaker cable length

Hey y'all,

I'm thinking about changing the setup of my rig so the equipment rack is off to the side and nothing is between the speakers. However, that's going to entail a much longer set of speaker cables. Is there anything about speaker cable length I should be aware of? And and am I right in assuming that I need to keep both pairs of cables equal length?
simao
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simao's avatar
simao OP
1,931 posts
 
@mesch thanks. I'll post before and after pictures on my virtual systems page when my amp gets back from being serviced.
mesch
3,530 posts
 
Looking forward for your thoughts and pictures.
unsound
7,367 posts
 
 With low output impedance ss amps and the typical heavy gauge speaker cables used today, the length is less critical than years ago when high output tube amps and thin gauge zip cord were used exclusively in yesteryear.
 Reasonable differing distances with most speaker cable won't affect time very much, but depending on the cables used might load the amps channels differently.
 Perhaps the best reason to buy identical lengths of speaker cable is to facilitate resale value.
 FWIW, I always use identical lengths.

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 
If you are using 6 or 8 AWG wire and you are not running in excess of 30 - 40 feet, you will not feel any difference in the sound.

Make sure the cable lengths to both the speakers are the same, and do not coil loose cable if there is any.  Bend them and make them run parallel.
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