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Long interconnect or short Speaker Cables

I have a question regarding length of IC and Speaker Cable

My scenario is I have a pre amp and a pair of monoblocks the speakers are about 12’ and 18’ respectively from the monoblocks.

Now the monoblocks are 2' from the pre amp with an 16’ and 18’ run of signal cable shotgun speaker wire.

Would it be better to place the Monoblocks next to the speakers and use a long IC run and a short speaker run?
What would the advantages and disadvantages be beside cost?
Are ICs more prone to pick up noise?
Will it change the characteristics of the sound?
And is there a budget IC that I should consider?

I say budget as 18-20’ is gonna be rather expensive in IC cables if I do go that route.

Also as one speaker is further away than the other about 6’ should I use the same length cable run for both or can I use one 18’ and one 12’ run

Thanks for any advice
punkuk
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
This is a topic that has garnered endless debate on the forums. If you search the forums here and elsewhere you will find those that believe in long interconnects and those that believe in long speaker cables. You choose. There is no "right" answer. I personally believe in long interconnects and short speaker cables. I am "right" because I say so! You will have to explore this issue yourself and make a decision. I have decided on the long intersonnect and very short speaker route. Why? I already have 15 foot Kimber Hero interconnects and can run shorter speaker wires for less $$$. Good luck!
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
consider the output impedance of the preamp. if it is above say 600 ohms, you may affect treble frequency response if interconnects are of high capacitance.

there may also be a cost factor. long length speaker cable may cost more than long length interconnects.

i personally use a 6meter interconnect and a 5 or 6 foot speaker cable.
super_agent_86
23 posts
 
From Blue Jeans Cables:
"Speaker cable is a bit different from a lot of the interconnect cables we handle, in several respects. Because speakers are driven at low impedance (typically 4 or 8 ohms) and high current, speaker cables are, for all practical purposes, immune from interference from EMI or RFI, so shielding isn't required. The low impedance of the circuit also tips the balance of concern from capacitance, which is important in interconnect use, to inductance, which, while a concern, can be controlled only to a limited degree. The biggest issue in speaker cables, from the point of view of sound quality, is simply conductivity; the lower the resistance of the cable, the lower the contribution of the speaker cable's resistance to the damping factor, and the flatter the frequency response will be. While one can spend thousands of dollars on exotic speaker cable, in the end analysis, it's the sheer conductivity of the cable, and (barring a really odd design, which may introduce various undesirable effects) little else that matters. The answer to keeping conductivity high is simple: the larger the wire, the lower the resistance, and the higher the conductivity"

As simple as that!!!!
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