How much should I spend on speaker cable

[steve_1979]

Hello,

I'm a complete beginner to this home cinema thing and would like some advice on how much should I spend on speaker cable and do I need to use banana plugs? I've just bought a Q Acoustics 1010i 5.1 speaker package and a Yamaha RXV365BL Receiver which will be conected to my computer via an optical S/PDIF cable.

The front and centre speakers will need about 3 meters each, one of the rear speakers needs about 5 meters and the other rear speaker needs about 10 metres. I am considering this Cambridge Audio Symphony 200 for £1.50 per meter. Is this any good? http://www.richersounds.com/product/...e-symphony-200

 

[ohskigod]

Ah yes, the age old cable debate. You're going to get a variety of answers on this. Some subscribe to the "cables dont make a difference camp", some subscribe to the "I spend as much on my cables as I do on my car camp"

I've heard cables make a slight (emphasis on slight) difference on my 2 channel rig, but not too much for my theater.

I am a proponent of making sure you have a decent guage (thickness) depending on how long it is. I basically judge it by the longest run (your case 10 meters)

I think 16 guage will do, I would avoid 18 (bigger number, smaller size). If you can get 14 for a decent price that would be fine. 12 would be silly overkill in this case. (plenty of cable spools on Partsexpress.com to choose from, I have no affiliation with them other than I order from them and they have never let me down)

as far as brand? probably not going to make much of a difference in this application.

If you go with standard cable for the surrounds but nicer cables for the fronts, thats fine too. if you go nicer cables for the front.....do NOT hesitate to go used from a reputable buyer.

don't go too crazy on the cables for the surrounds. it will literally make no difference.

hope this helps

 

[Docks]

With some #16-14 AWG I personally dont think you could ever go wrong, unless you have a really long run.

 

[dkane360]

I agree with everyone else, although I'll throw in my vote for Monoprice.com. I find their wire cheaper (in cost) and is well built. I actually just bought a few spools of wire myself.

 

[its phillip]

The dude lives in the UK...I don't know how much monoprice charges for international shipping, although I guess he can try and find out.

 

[sholling]

Inexpensive 14ga wire should be fine.

 

[templemaners]

I also use 14ga wire from Monoprice and have had no problems with it.

Banana plugs aren't required, but they make connections a lot easier and cleaner.

 

[Matt34]

I take Monoprice 6 gauge and weave strands of Kryptonite into it. Fairy dust on the Banana plugs brings out the sparkle in the highs.

 

[dkane360]

The dude lives in the UK...I don't know how much monoprice charges for international shipping, although I guess he can try and find out.

I guess I shouldve picked up on that with the lack of $ signs lol.

 

[gholt]

I have the 14 guage on the mains and surrounds, but i don't think you would have to ust that short of guage. I would go and see the contractor's electrical supply stores and see what the prices are on the box of speaker wire. If I remember right, I bought 500 ft for about $60 - $80. The speakers sound great and the cables are insulated.

 

[gmichael]

I wouldn't spend more than 2 or 3% of my system cost. 14 ga is about all you need, although I have found that 12 ga doesn't cost much more. What the h.ll right?