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Cable confusion?

Hi everyone, I hope some one can clear up some thing's I don't know about cable. First of all, I did try look up past threads on these questions, but was unable to find the answer's I was looking for, so please forgive me if these have already been answered. I know this is annoying to the "regulars". I know gauge refer's to the thickness of cable, but which is better for speaker cable?
A lower gauge cable or a higher gauge cable? I currently have two systems, one for HT, and one for audio. I currently use Monster XP cable for both systems. From various threads I've read, no one seems to use Monster cable for speakers. (Yes I am a novice) The best High end store around me (within my budget) is ultimate electronic's and that's all they sell.
dbx
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Consult with Cable Company www/fatwyre.com for cable suggestions relevant to the equipment & speakers that you're using. They can provide useful recommendations for interconnects, AC cords, & speaker cables. They have a cable lending library available; for a nominal % you can try out diferent cables (either their suggestions or your own). They have a used cable section that you may be able to purchase from once you decide what you like. They also hold your cable-rental fees on account which you can apply to any purchase of cable or accessories.
bomarc
501 posts
 
Very simple: Lower gauge = thicker wire = lower likelihood that the cable will adversely affect the sound. To calculate the gauge you need, see:

www.pcavtech.com/techtalk/wire_size/index.htm

The 12-gauge at Home Depot runs 30 cents a foot, last time I checked. There is a school of thought that says you won't find anything better on the market at any price for most uses.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
Look into "Straitwire" speaker wire. I believe dealers
will allow a home trial and a one year trade-up. My local
dealer will. I've tried various cables (Monster, Cable Talk,
NAC A5, Kimber4VS) on a relatively inexpensive system. Cur-
rently I'm using "Straitwire-Quartet." Inexpensive, well
terminated(no solder used on banana plugs), sounds very good. I believe the quartet model uses 4-14 guage wire. Bi-
wirable. For more info: www.straitwire.com. I think you'll
be pleasantly surprised by how good this wire can be (and at
such a reasonable cost.)
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
My favorite cheap cables is the IXOS 6003. List is $2.50 a foot, but www.AC4L.com (Accessories for less) sells it for $1.49 per foot with free shipping. I have compared it with the Home Depot/Lowes 12 gauge and it is a big improvement. More glare in the treble with the 12 gauge.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Bereft of a technical background, I had to listen to, first, the experts, and ultimately, my ears. The experts said use heavy wire, so I wound up with biwired Kimber 8TC between my CJ Premier l2s and ProAc Response 3s. Then I tried superthin Mapleshade Double Golden Helix just for the heck of it (and because of the moneyback guarantee) and was dumbfounded. Now everything in the system is wired with Mapleshade, OmegaMikro and magnet wire and it sounds simply glorious. Nice bonus: I sold all my "garden hoses" for more than the new stuff cost!
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