speaker wire and sound quality

[jamie2112]

Oh my god if there is writing on the yellow cable that takes evrything from 315hz to 4k out...I really hope there is no writing on any of his yellow cables..

 

[PSWii60]

ill have to check. I know the strands are like angel hair or like rope fiber. I guess to help maintain flexability

 

[Rickster71]

Just 8AWG stranded copper

Opps, I didn't read this whole thread, and I missed all the pictures and fun.
Just trying to explain my stupid question.

 

[Alex2507]

Just trying to explain my stupid question.

Don't feel bad. Just look at the quality of the answers. This is one of the few threads around here that you actually run the risk of walking away dumber than when you got there. Allow me to illustrate :

I know the strands are like angel hair or like rope fiber. I guess to help maintain flexibility.

That also helps with providing the electrons a certain looseness in the inductive field. As the electrons speed around corners they don't get choked out allowing for a full field signal within the time domain.

PSWii60,

I really am curious to know what the lettering is on something like that. All kidding aside, no really, I think there is something to how close or far apart the + and - wires are. It's maybe covered in AV University or in the BJC articles. I don't think it's too important but there is something to it (I think).

Hey EddieG,

Don't think we forgot about you. Here's the real scoop from the main page which is a great resource. I guess the forums are a good for a quick and dirty answer but the fellas that write these articles up can back their words up with little letters behind their names (I think).

http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge

 

[PSWii60]

I really am curious to know what the lettering is on something like that. All kidding aside, no really, I think there is something to how close or far apart the + and - wires are. It's maybe covered in AV University or in the BJC articles. I don't think it's too important but there is something to it (I think).

I'm not sure what the effects would be regarding how far apart the + and - are? Could you please point me to a reference explaining if there is any? The cables are single conductor stranded #8 . Just as any other speaker cable, just separate the two conductors (+ & -) and beef each one to #8 and thats what I got.

 

[Alex2507]

I think it's something I read in the cable face off articles a couple of years ago. I have no idea where to find it now. If you find it while you're snooping around, let me know.

I don't think it's of much importance. If it was we would all know about it.

 

[PSWii60]

The Only markings on the cable are E12683-V AWM STYLE 1017 8AWG.
I know we use it as grounding cable in MRI application (hence the color) but its just stranded copper. Here is the UL listing for it. If anyone sees a negative to using this please share your thoughts. As I said before I only used it because I had an abundance of it on hand, and I was making long runs, but if there are negatives to it I will swap it with "speaker wire"

 

[PSWii60]

Here is an online dealer that actually sells #8 speaker wire. So maybe I'm not crazy to think there would ever be an application to warrant something this big.

 

[Alex2507]

Just as I suspected, automotive application.

 

[PSWii60]

MRI is medical

 

[Alex2507]

MRI is medical

No Dude, your link is for an automotive application. So far the brightest mind to weigh in on this thread has already blessed your path. I would think that you are all done and your space proves that you've achieved quite a goal.

This link compares a few different speaker wires and that bit of info might be in there but I'll be honest: I'm not going to try to read it again. Those days are over for me.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/cables/speaker-cable-face-off-1

 

[PSWii60]

The automotive industry must have the same cable requirements as the medical industry then. I only see in the link I attached that it specifies a standard for appliance wiring material UL 758. I know X-Ray and MRI are wired for 480 so that may be why its rated so high, it also uses heavy shielding to help prevent RF. Maybe I'll lay out some regular #12 tomorrow to one of my mains. Then see if my wife can tell a difference.

 

[Alex2507]

Here's what I saw:

"8 AWG 665 Strands 100' Clear automotive cable PVC Jacket"

I don't think it's a requirement in the auto industry. It's just what sells. I would be stunned to find that you can hear a difference.

 

[jliedeka]

And they can double as jumper cables. What's not to like?

Jim

 

[PSWii60]

Sorry Alex, I thought you were referring to the UL spec sheet. The link for the automotive cable was just something i found. I was just surprised that #8 speaker wire even existed.

 

[highfigh]

Why would anyone give you grief about that 8ga? I didn't have to work with it, you did And, best of all, it was left over, likely free as it would have been just sitting around doing nothing.

That's the worst kind of wire. Sitting around all day, thinking of all kinds of devious ways to get out of delivering good sound. Shiftless, I tells ya.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
How were you able to connect it?

With a monster of a connector

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm fairly certain he's talking about banana plugs.
.

This is what got me though:
"good" speaker cables (like the ones that have plugs) vs. the lesser expensive Radio Shack cables that have the copper and silver cables you have to strip the ends of to connect.


to me it implies that the good speaker cables came with plugs on them but I am not aware of one unless it may be a special order.

 

[Tin Ears]

I recently saw an ad for Monster speaker cable and couldn't believe the jargon they are willing to use to sell wire:

"Special Time Correct windings control distortion producing magnetic fields for a smoother, more natural re-creation of the music. Patented Magnetic Flux Tube construction provides improved bass response and dynamic range, important for home theatre and top quality music systems."

I have a physics degree and don't know what they are talking about.

Wasn't the Magnetic Flux Tube used to travel "Back to the Future"?

Time to check the Delorean.

 

[Rickster71]

That also helps with providing the electrons a certain looseness in the inductive field.

That's true; I like my electrons, and my women, both a little on the loose side.

I really am curious to know what the lettering is on something like that. All kidding aside, no really, I think there is something to how close or far apart the + and - wires are. It's maybe covered in AV University or in the BJC articles. I don't think it's too important but there is something to it (I think).

The wire doesn't look like THHN. The insulation looks like another type, who's designation escapes me. I must be getting old.looks like stuff I've in instrument and control circuits, or appliance, equipment wire. GRD with yellow tracer.

You are on to something Alex. It's ok for the wires to be separate though they should be in the same conduit.
If not in conduit, they should be kept close together. (by separate, I mean not traditional side by side zip cord)
I'm not sure how much of this applies to speaker wire and the frequencies they run at.
I think with speaker wire it's more for image rejection.

I know in high voltage wiring, NEC 300.20 wants to avoid induction heating, all wires in the same circuit have to run close together in the same pipe, or trench, and must exit the same hole of a metal enclosure.