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Speaker Wires on Carpet

I was reading that carpet will interfere with the signal going through speaker wires if the wires are on the carpet. I was wondering if the amount of interference varies depending on whether the positive and negative wires are twisted together versus running straight and parallel to each other. Also, will certain types of wire jackets cut down on interfence?

I ask this because I have wires running next to the base boards on the floor in my (carpeted) dining room since that's the most unobtrusive place for them. I may consider some type of wire elevators if they are reasonably priced and look nice.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
socprof
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
If the carpet is synthetic, it acts as a huge dielectric that soaks up and stores energy from the cables, and then releases it randomly back into the cables smearing the sound. Thus the frequently observed benefit of lifting the cables off the floor to give air space (a great electrical insulator) between the carpet and the cable. Natural fiber (e.g., wool) is less likely to act this way, wood floors are generally not a problem.
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
693 posts
 
ive seen them little popsicle stick lookin things under speaker wires before & all i could do was laugh.

whats next, listening naked so as not to let clothing interfere with the sound stage or shaving our heads so our. hair dont absorb the bass.

im with rlwainright, keep em away from power lines & all is well.

mike.
french_fries
815 posts
 
don't forget to remove your eyeglasses- that smears the sound too. i don't know too much about too much, but the local dealer leaves their $30k opus cables on the floor.
and until recently adding a richard-grey box, i never saw a power conditioner there either. the former owner used to record for harmonia mundi...
zspradlin
143 posts
 
If you want to try the ceramic elevators, search Ebay, keyword "isolator". You can pick them up pretty cheap there. I use them, but must confess that I have heard no noticable difference. I bought the ones I've got off of Ebay really cheap, so I still have them under my cables.
sgr's avatar
sgr
689 posts
 
Sorry to disappoint you guys that have not heard a difference, but elevating your cables over the carpet makes a notable positive difference and is well worth the investment. I obtained some old glass telephone and power insulators from antique stores to get mine off of the carpet. It works great and is much cheaper than the commercial products on the market.
For you doubters with hi rez systems: Try it, you'll like it!
Good listening,
SGR
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