Does speaker cable length really matter?

Impedences/voltage and resistances outputs vary. Check with the mfg of your amp Generally shorter runs sound better and naturally they cost you less. My guess 1/3rd longer a run is not a good thing;unless you got it free/cheap.Or if room set up dictates

Of course length matters, but you won't hear a significant differnce with the lengths in question. The speed at which electricity propogates thru the conductors has less to do with what's going on....than does the cumulative insertion losses due to capacitance, resistance, and the various types of inductance and reactance. ALL OF THESE increase with longer runs of ANY cable (interconnect or speaker cable). This cannot be avoided, it's just basic physics. THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND INSERTION LOSSES, but the difference between 8 ft and 12 ft is nothing to worry about. The differences in "sound quality" would be radically less than, say the differences heard going from one manufacturer's cable, to another's.

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All speaker cable is bad, the shorter the better. Why would you want the extra cost and sound issues of 12ft cables? Most audiophiles have speakers set in "near field" position forming 6-9ft equilateral triangle with listening position. 8ft should be plenty, even 6ft can work, bi-amp systems can be even shorter. If you want equipment rack on side wall use long run of interconnect to amp which remains on floor centered between speakers....regards Sam

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