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Can one use assymetric wire gauge for speaker cable construction?

Hello,

I am trying to build a DIY speaker cable, but while doing so I have one question that needs to be answered. I am using a cable which is essentialy made up of multuple individually insulated cables of smaller gauge.

So can I use more strands for the positive wire & lesser strands for negative wire, essentially an asymmetric gauge design. But length of both positive & negative wires will be same (and between left & right channel).

 

Can someone please help me answer this question?

 

Regards,

Saurabh

128x128audio_phool
jea48
4,451 posts
 
audio_phool’s avatar
audio_phool OP
14 posts

The for using assymetric gauge came from the idea that can I use power cables as speaker cables. Ignoring the fact that these are heavier and inflexible compared to speaker wires, shielding on these is much better than ordinary wires & gauge is also pretty thick. So if one can use asymmetic gauge then power cables can be very interesting choice for speaker cables.

@audio_phool

Jmho, a power cord, cable, would be a bad choice. Especially if the power cord is UL Listed. If UL Listed as a rule the insulation, dielectric, covering the conductors is rubber or PVC... Not good for carrying audio signals.

Also as @oldhvymec pointed out shielding is not a good idea. It can suck the air from the music.

.

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

DIY itself is not a good idea. Let the guy screw around with his extension cords and figure that out for himself. Eventually. Maybe.

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

More resistance is not desirable in speaker cables. Use the heaviest gauge, don't bother with asymmetry.

williewonka
3,075 posts
 

There is one caveat pertaining to asymmetric cables and that is they DO NOT work well with amplifiers that adopt a balanced symmetrical differential design.

i.e. - where both speaker output terminals carry the same signal, but 180 degrees out of phase

This style of amplifier REQIES prefect symmetry between both +ve and -ve conductors - i.e. wire type, gauge, insulation type and cable geometry

There are several amps that use this approach and the list appears to be growing quite fast - but at this point in time they tend to be higher end products.

Here are a few

  • Accuphase E-303
  • Anthem - Some Models
  • Atma-Sphere - all models
  • Audio Research - Some Models
  • Ayre - all models
  • Balanced Audio Technology
  • BAT VK-255SE
  • Boulder 500AE
  • D’Agostino - Some Models
  • Musical Fidelity - High End Models
  • Pass Labs
  • PS Audio BHK Signature 300
  • Vitus
  • Yamaha some models

Regards - Steve

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