Slow speaker cables?

B_Limo,

I have to disagree with Tom. I have heard cables that are faster than others. Cables such as Nordost, Silent Source and CH Acoustic are just three that I've experienced.

Why they are faster, or why they appear to be faster, is beyond my expertise. However, when I heard the effect, I attributed it to the cables being quieter or less distorted.

I assumed that the less distorted the cable was, whether it be a result of less RFI or EMI, the physical connections to the spades or bananas, or whatever else, the more accurate the signal ultimately was.

Chuck

if ya make them longer than electron will travel longer distance slower LOL!

Oh, for heaven's sake - "slow" and "fast" cables? GMAFB...

-RW-

Differences in inductance can, at least to a slight degree, affect frequency response in the upper treble region, especially if the impedance of the speaker is low at those frequencies. Greater high frequency extension = "faster."

Differences in resistance can affect woofer damping and bass response. Better woofer damping and better controlled bass response = "faster."

Differences in capacitance, if extreme enough, can affect amplifier performance, especially at high frequencies that relate to perceived "speed."

Differences in antenna effects, and "transmission line" effects that occur at inaudible RF frequencies, can result in differences in spurious energy that may enter the feedback loop of the amplifier, if it has one, with unpredictable consequences.

There are undoubtedly other reasons as well, although not necessarily the reasons that are stated in the "white papers" of some cable manufacturers. And none of these reasons necessarily mean that "more expensive" = "better."

Regards,
-- Al

I believe the confusion stems from taking "fast" as related to the speed the signal travels from one end of the cable to the other. That's not it.
I believe "fast" here refers to the raise speed,
pretty much like the slew rate, the ability of the cable to accurately represent the dynamic swing of the signal it transports.
And in this regard, a cable with less inductance and dielectric absorption makes for a "faster" cable.