5.1 Cables and accessories

[seeknshare]

Thanks to IMCloud, Jim,FirstReflection and others my 5.1 system is on verge to be built up. Pioneer speakers and Denon receiver are here and Snell ceiling speakers are on the way.

Moving on to next stage, looking for recommendations reg speaker cables/accessories/surge protector and where should I buy them (monoprice/others)..

Setup:
LG 55LM6700
LG Blue Ray Player with wifi
Denon Receiver
Pioneer SP-FS52 towers (L&R)
Pioneer SP-C22 Center
SNELL OH-T7 in ceiling speakers
Sub (in future)
Roku (in future)
Room dimensions (20 ft Length, 17 ft width) with room pre-wired for in-ceiling speakers

ps: I am researching this forum/other threads to find out answers as well.

 

[brianedm]

It's hard to beat monoprice. Blue Jeans Cable gets a lot of recommendations around here too. For ease of connecting and disconnecting your speakers I'd recommend getting some banana plugs as well.

 

[ImcLoud]

Great to hear she is coming together... You are going to love it...

For speaker cables what are you looking to do, just cable or bananas, pants, ect?

Anyway here is what I use for speaker cables, it takes 20 minutes for me to make up a 5 cables, and the end result it very nice, I have used the 16 and 12gauge wire and can not tell the difference in sound no matter how I try {and I went out of my way to hear the diff, it doesnt exist, not with 15ft runs anyway}... The techflex comes in a bunch of colors, and I like them banana plugs the best, they are very easy to assemble, fit great and dont need any tools for them... If you get 12g karma kable then get 10g wire pants, and 12g pants for 16g wire...

http://www.amazon.com/Karma-Kable-Twisted-Gauge-Speaker/dp/B004Z157XK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351375523&sr=8-1&keywords=karma+kable

Amazon.com: Karma Kable Twisted 16 Gauge Speaker Wire 50': Electronics

Amazon.com: Speaker Wire Pants 12 Gauge Y Boot -10 Pack: Electronics

Amazon.com: Sewell Deadbolt Banana Plugs with Fast-Lock Technology, 12 Pair (24 Pieces): Electronics

3 8 Braided Expandable Sleeving Rattlesnake Techflex 25ft | eBay

For rca cables Amazon.com: Acoustic Research PR130 Audio Cable, Gold RCA P - RCA P-3 feet: Electronics these are nice, they are directional so you need to plug them in the rite way but they sound nice, and cost short money... they have a bunch of sizes including 15-25 foot singles for your sub...

HDMI cables I like this one for inrack systems its short and really cheap, I bought a couple of these and I am happy with them, braided cover, 1.4 3d ect, works when you plug them in and cheap.. Amazon.com: Aurum Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI Cable (1.5 feet) With Ethernet - Supports 3D and Audio Return Channel: Electronics


Well good luck, amazon is hands down the best place to find cables imo

 

[Adam]

Amazon.com: Speaker Wire Pants 12 Gauge Y Boot -10 Pack: Electronics

Cool - just what I was looking for.

Are those flexible or stiff? I'd like to add that look to my cables, but I want them to make some tight turns.

Thanks!

 

[ImcLoud]

Cool - just what I was looking for.

Are those flexible or stiff? I'd like to add that look to my cables, but I want them to make some tight turns.

Thanks!

They are soft like silicone rubber. The 12 ga fits 14 ga wire and the 10 fit 12 ga wire. I think they mark them for wire with no jacket. I can send you a piece of the rubber if you like. Give me your address and ill throw it in an envelope

 

[Adam]

I can send you a piece of the rubber if you like. Give me your address and ill throw it in an envelope

That's very nice of you! You answered my question, though, so I'm good. About a week ago, I was looking at getting some Dayton speaker cables to connect from the back of one amp to my wall plates (just to clean things up a bit), and maybe to connect my front speakers (because the black sleeving would blend in better) - the cost started to stack up, though. I wasn't sure what was on the ends, but you answered that (I'm sure it's Parts Express version, but the same deal). I'm deciding if I want to spend the effort to make my own or not.

I sure appreciate all the info and the generous offer.

 

[ImcLoud]

That's very nice of you! You answered my question, though, so I'm good. About a week ago, I was looking at getting some Dayton speaker cables to connect from the back of one amp to my wall plates (just to clean things up a bit), and maybe to connect my front speakers (because the black sleeving would blend in better) - the cost started to stack up, though. I wasn't sure what was on the ends, but you answered that (I'm sure it's Parts Express version, but the same deal). I'm deciding if I want to spend the effort to make my own or not.

I sure appreciate all the info and the generous offer.

I tried the pe version I like the knuknocepts stuff better the pes fit much looser and have a weird looking stance to them. I have some I never used or rather started to use and then ordered the knus.
You are welcome...

Ps make your own. With the bananas pants wire and tech flex you can make 25 ft of cables for around 80. Where 5 6 footers of even the cheapest cables will cost you triple that

 

[Adam]

Ps make your own. With the bananas pants wire and tech flex you can make 25 ft of cables for around 80. Where 5 6 footers of even the cheapest cables will cost you triple that

I'll have to look at the cost with the wire that I'd use. With the Dayton cables, I can get four six-footers (24 feet total) for $70.

 

[ImcLoud]

I'll have to look at the cost with the wire that I'd use. With the Dayton cables, I can get four six-footers (24 feet total) for $70.

But them are 16 gauge rite? I know they say 14 but a friend of mine has them and compared the wire and said they measure 16 not 14. Plus being able to make your own custom lengths is nice... I already have all the parts and have done it a lot so it's a no brainier for me. Plus I enjoy doing it I guess... Makes me. Feel like I had more to do with my systeMs than just picking it and plugging it...

 

[seeknshare]

Ready to use cables

ImcLoud Thanks for detailed response.
I like the HDMI cable option mentioned.

A.
I guess, I am not comfortable about building the speaker cables. Is there is another alternative/recommendation. I am looking at Amazon Speaker Cables section. But not sure what exactly I will need.

-
B. Aside from speaker cables and HDMIs, what other cables will I need.

c. Need inputs wrt Surge Protector/Extension box as well. I am thinking to go with Belkin 12 outlet

 

[JerryLove]

Cutting your own speaker cables really is very easy; nevertheless.

Speaker Cable at Blue Jeans Cable

You can pick a length and get them with the banana plugs already attached.

Though if you are installed in-ceiling speakers (which you appear to be doing), You'll likely not use banana plugs on that end.

As to other cables? That depends on what your sources are.

Plug the Denon into the wall (power cable included) and into your speakers (speaker cables) and you have sound.
If you are using an active sub (I'd guess you are, but don't want to go back to the other page) you'll need a cable to attach that to your Denon (likely an RCA cable).

Video? One HDMI cable to attach the Denon to the TV.

Then for each source you'll need one connector / set of connectors. Likely a single HDMI cable.

 

[Adam]

Hi, Imc. Is the 3/8" techflex for the 12 gauge or 16 gauge wire, and what size would you recommend for the other gauge? Also, did you use any shrink tubing on yours?

 

[ImcLoud]

Hi, Imc. Is the 3/8" techflex for the 12 gauge or 16 gauge wire, and what size would you recommend for the other gauge? Also, did you use any shrink tubing on yours?

3/8 works with both 12 and 16. That stuff stretches up to 3/4 I believe. I use the 3/8 for everything. It will even clear RCA terminals if you want to cover them and then shrinkntube the ends

 

[Adam]

3/8 works with both 12 and 16. That stuff stretches up to 3/4 I believe. I use the 3/8 for everything. It will even clear RCA terminals if you want to cover them and then shrinkntube the ends

Does it seem baggy to you on the 16 gauge?

 

[ImcLoud]

Does it seem baggy to you on the 16 gauge?

Not really. You can go down a size but it fits both very well. Has to stretch to fit both
I can take a picture of the tech flex wit the 16ga wire in it if you like

 

[Adam]

You're awesome, man. I just put together a b-day list for my parents with all of those items on it (12-gauge for the front speakers, 16-gauge for the rear). Hopefully the rattlesnake sleeving is brownish like it looks on my screen. That will look slick.

 

[ImcLoud]

You're awesome, man. I just put together a b-day list for my parents with all of those items on it (12-gauge for the front speakers, 16-gauge for the rear). Hopefully the rattlesnake sleeving is brownish like it looks on my screen. That will look slick.

That's my favorite I also have the checkered the red and a few other colors