DIY Speaker Cables

[schastleevo]

This is probally an old issue here. I'm just about done with the work on the room where my stereo will live at. I've added Bass Traps, & acoustic damping planels through out the room. I have a problem, I will need to move the equipment rack from where it's currently at in the center between the speakers off to the side to make room for the sub woofer. Unfortunately the speaker cables I currently have are too short for this move, I will need some cables with a run of around 24'. I've been thinking about a DIY project for the speaker cables.

My stereo equipment consists of Magnepan 3.6R speakers, the amp is a Bryston 4B-St, the pre-amp is a Bryston BP-25, the CD player is a Jolida JD-100, & the speaker cables are Tara Lab RSC Referances.

I've been searching on & off trying to get some ideas of what might be the best DIY design that works the best. I've read about using CAT-5, Silver cables, Silver coated copper cables, Coaxial cables, Canare 4S11 star quad, & of course just plane old zip cables. One of the more interesing things I read is the Speaker Cable Faceoff 3 - The DIY Shootout found in another thread here.

Now just going by the Faceoff it would seem like the CAT5 DIY would work well, unfotunately this Faceoff didn't include the Canare, or coaxial cables.

Finally back to my original question, which I'm finally getting back to. Which DIY cable should I build that hopfully work as well or better than my Tara Lab cables?

Thanks in advance for everyone's suggestions/direction.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Here is the best design I have seen on here.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52023

 

[j_garcia]

I am using 4S11 and it works great. Speaker cables have the least influence on the sound of your system of any single component, so I would just go with what works for you and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[Loren42]

I'd run at least 12 AWG zip cord. Even better, run 10 AWG zip. Get it from your hardware store.

I really don't want to start a flame war over snake oil, but wire is wire. The right gauge is the most important factor to keep resistance to a minimum over longer runs.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd run at least 12 AWG zip cord. Even better, run 10 AWG zip. Get it from your hardware store.

I really don't want to start a flame war over snake oil, but wire is wire. The right gauge is the most important factor to keep resistance to a minimum over longer runs.

And since AWG is the main thing, 10AWG is pretty much overkill for any home system I've seen. 14AWG is good for 80ft with a typical 8 Ohm speaker, so 12AWG should be more than sufficient for most applications.

 

[Loren42]

And since AWG is the main thing, 10AWG is pretty much overkill for any home system I've seen. 14AWG is good for 80ft with a typical 8 Ohm speaker, so 12AWG should be more than sufficient for most applications.

Yeah, it depends on the amount of power that is dissipated. Maggies require more than average power to wake them up. That was the only reason I even mentioned 10 AWG, but 12 AWG is probably good enough.

 

[lsiberian]

And since AWG is the main thing, 10AWG is pretty much overkill for any home system I've seen. 14AWG is good for 80ft with a typical 8 Ohm speaker, so 12AWG should be more than sufficient for most applications.

I use 16 and I've not seen a difference between the bigger cables.

 

[Rickster71]

You have a length needed of 24' along with the fact those Maggies dip down to 3-Ohms with 83.5dB sensitivity.

I wouldn't use smaller than 12AWG,(in your setup) though a fatter DIY 10AWG will look better (if you're into that) for you fronts.

Just know 10AWG won't make the speakers sound better.
One thing that you might like the look of, is 12 or 10AWG. S.O. cord. (depot or lowes by the foot)
It's black rubber industrial extension cord, you could dress up the ends with heat shrink, or cable pants and some colored mesh sleeving. Just a thought.

 

[manlystanley]

You have a length needed of 24' along with the fact those Maggies dip down to 3-Ohms with 83.5dB sensitivity.

I wouldn't use smaller than 12AWG,(in your setup) though a fatter DIY 10AWG will look better (if you're into that) for you fronts.

Just know 10AWG won't make the speakers sound better.
One thing that you might like the look of, is 12 or 10AWG. S.O. cord. (depot or lowes by the foot)
It's black rubber industrial extension cord, you could dress up the ends with heat shrink, or cable pants and some colored mesh sleeving. Just a thought.

I agree. The higher AWG cables will affect the bass the most. Read this for added information: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/speaker-cable-gauge

Best Regards,
Stan

 

[ErinH]

http://www.cirris.com/testing/resistance/wire.html

 

[average_male]

Nice, thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[schastleevo]

Thanks for the nice article, you can never have too much information. Yes, I knew that the larger gauge/diameter of wire is a less restrictive wire. And instead of using just 1 large diameter cable you can use multiple runs of smaller cables for an equlivant diameter cable.