Opinion on different cables on speaker lines

[newaudiofile]

Hi guys,
As the debate has been on the fact that it doesnt really mater what type of cables you use when running speaker cables, I have this question.

My original cables are those thick cables. but since i cannot hide them well under the floor boards, I have used smaller size cables under the boards and continued with thick cables when it comes out of the floor boards to the speaker and receiver.

The question then is will this affect sound quality? I think no. But you never know.

 

[jaxvon]

Hi guys,
As the debate has been on the fact that it doesnt really mater what type of cables you use when running speaker cables, I have this question.

My original cables are those thick cables. but since i cannot hide them well under the floor boards, I have used smaller size cables under the boards and continued with thick cables when it comes out of the floor boards to the speaker and receiver.

The question then is will this affect sound quality? I think no. But you never know.

Just make sure that you're using a sufficient gauge for the distance you're running the cables. Using too small a cable will result in audible resistive loss over the run.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable

 

[Exit]

On a theoretical/scientific basis I suspect it would make a difference. On a practical basis, it sounds like you are running wires across the room for surrounds. Surrounds play low volume background sound and occasionally special effects. The surrounds are usually crossed-over to the subwoofer at about 80 Hz or higher. This means the power hungry bass notes are going to the subwoofer and the surrounds require very little power. Even if you had a low power receiver, the power should be plenty to drive the surrounds to keep up with your front/center speakers even if you have some cable loss due to sections of thinner guage wire.

 

[Midcow2]

Impedence is the the key but even that is insignificant

Hi guys,
As the debate has been on the fact that it doesnt really mater what type of cables you use when running speaker cables, I have this question.

My original cables are those thick cables. but since i cannot hide them well under the floor boards, I have used smaller size cables under the boards and continued with thick cables when it comes out of the floor boards to the speaker and receiver.

The question then is will this affect sound quality? I think no. But you never know.

The key factor is impedance which primary depends on two factors (wire gauge) and wire length. The quality of the connector can also make a difference. The gauge of the wire ( lower number larger wire) is usally fine if you use 14 or 16 gauge. you can use a soldering iron to tin the ends for better connection.
gauge resistance Ohms per foot
4 0.00024
6 0.00047
8 0.00067
10 0.0010
12 0.0017
14 0.0026
16 0.0042
18 0.0066
20 0.011
22 0 .017
24 0.027
26 0.043
28 0 .071

The sound qulaity is really not affected but is you use a very small wire 22 gauge over a long distance say 50 feet, you add an addtional impedance of of only 0.85 ohms On a typical 8 ohm speaker you would lose .85/(.85+8)= 9.6% of load.

In other words the size of the wire doesn't make nearly as much difference as people ( especailly the expensive wire vendors would like you to believe.

So if you want to save money, with very,very little quality loss go to your nearest Radio Shack.


Always use copper wire!

 

[newaudiofile]

Thanks guys for the advice. Yes so far what I have done are for the surround wires I will try keep the front wires in check and try to follow the guidance given here.

 

[newaudiofile]

The cables that I'm using under the floor board is one of those thin silver cables that nomally come with those HT in a box. So I dont the awg for it. I tried to measure it on a ruler and it was like 1 mm (0.039) in diameter if that helps in calculating the awg.

I will need to run 37 ft of that for the surround and 6.7 ft for the front.

Will this affect the sound?


The time here is 21.10 so I will not be up for long, but please do leave your comments. Thanks.

 

[markw]

37 feet is a bit long for "thin" cables.

Try to use 16 (or a lower number) gauge for that long run. It won't hurt for that short run, either.

Stop at Home Depot and you'll see it's not expensive.

 

[newaudiofile]

Try to use 16 (or a lower number) gauge for that long run. It won't hurt for that short run, either.

Stop at Home Depot and you'll see it's not expensive.

Still after doing some research later in the eveing I found out that those cables may be 18 awg and the max that can be use is about 32ft. I guess I do have to go look for them 16 awg. Thanks.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
The time here is 21.10 so I will not be up for long, but please do leave your comments. Thanks.

And where would that be?

 

[newaudiofile]

And where would that be?

Ice cold Finland