Speaker/cable issues

[Astrotolus]

I see people recommending Monoprice a lot around here, so my first question is what's the difference between the speaker wire at Monoprice and something I might find cheaper on Amazon? Is it simply the amount of copper in the wire?

I just purchased a Yamaha RX-V471 and the Infinity TSS 1200 package. I know they're not high end, and I haven't listened to them much yet but I've noticed what I can only descibe as a faint, squeaky sound coming from them sometimes. It happens with audio from my satellite dish, mp3s from a HTPC and also from DVDs. It's hard to detect and doesn't happen all the time but it's there. Maybe they need to be broken in, is this still something that needs to be done with new speakers?

The speakers came with speaker cable, I think it's 16-gauge, can anyone confirm this? I'm considering going to 12-gauge, might the squeaky sound be fixed by going to a heavier wire?

Finally, the terminals on the back of the receiver don't seem to be of the best quality, they're plastic and wiggle a but, is this normal?

Thanks for the help.

 

[j_garcia]

I can't imagine you are realistically going to find something cheaper at Amazon. Monoprice is pretty much the place for inexpensive when it comes to wiring and cabling.

Speaker break-in is not going to dramatically change the way they sound and 12 AWG wire definitely won't solve that issue. 16-14 AWG wire should be more than enough for those speakers. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell what that issue might be without hearing it.

The terminals are 5 way binding posts. The outer screw portion can be tightened down, but if they are still loose when tightened, then yes there is something wrong with them.

 

[Astrotolus]

It might just be me with the squeaky sound, no one else can detect.

Once the rear terminals are tighened they don't wiggle, but they just feel cheap, but like I said maybe it's normal.

About the price: For only $27.12 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 100ft 12AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable | 12AWG Loud Speaker Cables

vs

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PSC12100-12-Gauge-100-Feet-Speaker/dp/B003ZX1S46/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1323877077&sr=8-7


Thanks for the reply.

 

[j_garcia]

When it comes to cheap wire, there isn't going to be much difference. Either of those listed would be fine, and they are probably more similar than not, so go with the least expensive. For wire like that, you will almost definitely also find something similar (PVC jacketed OFC) at Home Depot, Lowes, local electronics store, etc... for a decent price also.

Here is the other thing you'd want to know: Speaker Wire You would really likely only need to step up the wire AWG if you had lower impedance, difficult to drive speakers and longer runs (40-50ft).

**Wow, was looking at monoprice and they don't seem to have as many selections of wire as they used to.

 

[Astrotolus]

Thanks for the help so far. Since the cables that came with the speakers were longer than they needed to be I shortened them and then soldered the new ends. Not sure if it's related but now when I run the calibration using the included mic it's telling me speakers are out of phase, which is not the case.

First it said the left rear, I ran the test several times, same thing, I tested the wire for a short and it was fine according to my multimeter, so I reversed the cables to see what happened and it stopped reporting it. I ran the test again it said the left front was out of phase, I disconnected both rears and ran it again then it said both fronts were out of phase. I have triple checked everything.

Thoughts?

 

[TLS Guy]

It might just be me with the squeaky sound, no one else can detect.

Once the rear terminals are tighened they don't wiggle, but they just feel cheap, but like I said maybe it's normal.

About the price: For only $27.12 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 100ft 12AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable | 12AWG Loud Speaker Cables

vs

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PSC12100-12-Gauge-100-Feet-Speaker/dp/B003ZX1S46/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1323877077&sr=8-7


Thanks for the reply.

It's a cheap receiver, so why are you surprised? Quality does not come at a basement price, but we all wish it would!

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the help so far. Since the cables that came with the speakers were longer than they needed to be I shortened them and then soldered the new ends. Not sure if it's related but now when I run the calibration using the included mic it's telling me speakers are out of phase, which is not the case.

First it said the left rear, I ran the test several times, same thing, I tested the wire for a short and it was fine according to my multimeter, so I reversed the cables to see what happened and it stopped reporting it. I ran the test again it said the left front was out of phase, I disconnected both rears and ran it again then it said both fronts were out of phase. I have triple checked everything.

Thoughts?

Now you have modified the cables and are getting phasing errors you had better check your work.

Do the battery test.

Remove all the speaker grills.

Now take a 1,5 volt battery and connect it to each speaker cable at the receiver end in turn. Touch the -ve to the -ve battery terminal. As you touch what you think is the +ve speaker cable to the positive battery terminal the woofer cones should smartly move forwards. If they move inwards, the speaker is wired out of phase.

Do this and report back and see if you still have phasing errors when you run your auto set up.

 

[Astrotolus]

After I put my last post in I moved the mic and tripod about 2 feet towards the front speakers and ran the test again and this time it said the speakers were in phase. I moved it 4 feet towards the rear (on top of the couch) and it said some were out of phase.

I would try the battery test but the speakers I got (Infinity - Home Audio) do not have removeable grills. I know they are all connected correctly, the speaker wire has a white line on one of the wires, I put that to the reds on the receiver and the reds on the speakers. As wierd as it sounds I thought maybe it was ambient noise confusing the receiver (there's a small fridge across the room) I disconnected it for the tests and it didn't help.