DIY Spekon Cable For Rel


I’m looking to make a pair of speakon cables for my Rel subs. I could really use some advice on what would be good choices for this type application. The cable hooks to the amp outputs but from what I understand is just carrying low level signals. I am not sure if a shielded cable would be ideal or just a twisted pair of high quality wire. I run them as a stereo pair so only need two wires and 8-10ft long. I’m not looking to spend a lot maybe $100-200 but less would be better. I have 50ft of 12awg silver plated PTFE ofc that I’ve debated using. Just seems excessive for the application I suppose. I believe the stock cable Rel provides is only 24awg. Anyways would love any thoughts or opinions on the matter. I really don’t have a lot of knowledge when it comes to cabling. Thanks!

brylandgoodman

Mostly I just need longer cables. I bought the subs used and the cables had been cut by the previous owner. I figure I may as well diy and get a better product at a better price. It is a very simple cable after all. Mostly just wondering how much shielding may make a difference. It seems it’s essentially an interconnect cable which are typically shielded I think.  There is a gentleman who sells nothing but mil-spec silver plated ptfe on eBay and he has some two and three wire shielded options.  This route would cost me about $50 and I think make a solid cable. That’s kind of what I’m leaning towards but like I said pretty amateur when it comes to wire.  

Mogami 3104 12awg quad cable + Neutrik NL4FX 4-Pole speakON cable connector.  Good LCR spec but not sure if you could hear the difference from the Rel stock cable though.

 

What I have found is that the speaker cable used from the amp to the sub via the speakon connector will affect the sound of your main speakers. Afterall the cables are connected to the same source (amp). So, they do interact.

So, choose wisely.

ozzy

I have never owned a REL sub - these must be speaker cables.  My comments assumed line level cables. 

@ozzy Not sure if you’ve heard this from a reliable source. A typical REL sub has a relatively high input impedance, typically around 100k ohms or more. This means the amp doesn’t see much of a load from the sub (or the sub doesn’t draw much power) when the REL sub is connected via the high-level input. I have also tapped from the amp in the past using a line-level converter (to reduce the signal strength) before feeding it into my sub, and I found no issues affecting the quality (only quantity) of the sound from the main speakers.

As everyone here may know, John Hunter actually recommends the high level connection to ensure the seamless integration of the Rel sub with the main system.