Long interconnect or speaker cable


My room configuration requires that my rack is off to the side of my speakers. This means I need to run 20 feet of speaker cable (Wireworld) from my Mc mono blocks. This makes high end speaker cable cost prohibitive.

I was thinking I could move the amps next to the speakers, have short higher quality speaker cables, and then a long run of moderately priced XLR interconnects from my preamp.

So, all things being equal, what’s better for SQ, a long run of lesser XLRs or speaker cables?

 

w123ale

I chuckle sometimes that we are so obsessive about cable length. I agree that the longer run should be XLR whenever possible. If it makes you uncomfortable to have a 20 foot run of XLR between your preamp and amp, note that in live venues they run hundreds of feet of this cable, sometimes all the way to a recording van outside. Even in studios there can be 100+ foot runs of XLR. I have never seen one of the master recording engineers express a concern about XLR cable length.

@passfan70 Wrote:

 If you are going to keep them super short, be sure to use a smaller awg cable as to reduce signal to noise. It’s an issue some powered speakers can run into. Cables are like tone controls, longer and shorter runs of identical speaker cable can sometimes sound different on the same set up. 

I don't think a powered speaker requires a speaker cable, a powered speaker has the amp(s) installed inside the speaker cabinet. 😎

Mike

 

I was just referring to the speaker cable inside the cabinet connected to the output of the built in amp. Output distortions from the amp go input direct to the driver is all. Simple and a small quib but this hobby is gets so darn particular. 

Go to Guitar Center, save yourself a couple of bucks.

Mogami Gold Neglex Quad Microphone Cable for Studio Neutrik XLR 25 ft. | Guitar Center

"Would there be any concern about the vibration of the subs next to the mono blocks? "

Oh dear...looks like a case of A.N.

Get the cable, enjoy music while staying off audio forums.