Best subwoofer cable ?

Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
First question
Looking for an affordable cable 20 feet+ I was looking under $40/50. May get two if price is low enough not sure.
I’ve checked bestbuy everything is expensive. monster was only 13 foot.
Haven’t checked Walmart yet..
Amazon has so many options. I’m not sure tons of brands too choose from . Odds are I’ll order here.
The svs was $60+
Second question …
Best period , and best for performance/cost ratio etc ?
not limited to my small budget?
But at the same time what makes more expensive cables better? I noticed some look fancier but is there any sonic difference? At some price $$ point no improvement?
What is your opinion/preference for the Best subwoofer cable ?
 
Last edited:
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
First question
Looking for an affordable cable 20 feet+ I was looking under $40/50. May get two if price is low enough not sure.
I’ve checked bestbuy everything is expensive. monster was only 13 foot.
Haven’t checked Walmart yet..
Amazon has so many options. I’m not sure tons of brands too choose from . Odds are I’ll order here.
The svs was $60+
Second question …
Best period , and best for performance/cost ratio etc ?
not limited to my small budget?
But at the same time what makes more expensive cables better? I noticed some look fancier but is there any sonic difference?
What is your opinion/preference for the Best subwoofer cable ?
You just need a good quality RG6/U Coax. It is not very flexible but has a robust conductor and very good shielding and insulation.

Monoprice High Quality Subwoofer cable is a good choice.

Also available on Amazon:

If you haven't figured out yet that expensive cables aren't better....

Well, suffice it to say that a robust copper conductor and ample shielding will be better than a CCA conductor with minimal or no shielding... and the outside look of the cable will not matter one bit.
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
You just need a good quality RG6/U Coax. It is not very flexible but has a robust conductor and very good shielding and insulation.

Monoprice High Quality Subwoofer cable is a good choice.

Also available on Amazon:

If you haven't figured out yet that expensive cables aren't better....

Well, suffice it to say that a robust copper conductor and ample shielding will be better than a CCA conductor with minimal or no shielding... and the outside look of the cable will not matter one bit.
Yep CCA isn’t the only thing they are usign?
here’s an example of what I’m finding ..confusing??
IMG_8604.jpeg

 
Speedskater

Speedskater

Audioholic General
For long subwoofer (or any other for that matter) RCA interconnects, you need a coax with a heavy braided shield.
 
H

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Yep CCA isn’t the only thing they are usign?
here’s an example of what I’m finding ..confusing??View attachment 78194
First- stop believing ANY marketing hype about cables. Coax is fine- even RG59 is fine. For that matter, Cat5e would be fine if you use a decent balun to convert from RJ45 to RCA plugs.

Second- gravity always wins, so don't use a heavy cable and plug with a long strain relief that sticks out horizontally- the weight of the cable pulls down and stresses the jack & plug.

Third- what you find depends on the words used in your search. There is no 'best' at the level most people can afford- 'best' is OK if a small number are being compared (good, better, best) but in absolute terms, it just leads to a rabbit hole and confusion.

If you hear hum with more than one cable, you have a ground loop or a source of EMI (Electro-Magnetic interference). Move the cable way from the existing path and if the hum stops, find a better path that works for your room's arrangement. If you only hear hum when using one cable and can't get it to stop, use a different cable. Any cable with RCA ends, or a piece of coax with F to RCA adapters. If that doesn't work, use an extension cord for the subwoofer's power cord and lug it into the same outlet as the rest of the system. If the hum stops, it shows that the resistance on your electrical wiring contacts is high or the other outlet is on a different circut.

Why do you think you need a better cable?
 
H

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
For long subwoofer (or any other for that matter) RCA interconnects, you need a coax with a heavy braided shield.
Good, not heavy. As I wrote, RG59 and RG6 work fine- quad shield is only needed in high EMI situations.
 
Eppie

Eppie

Audioholic Ninja
That Amazon cable Ryan posted is your best bet. Monoprice has been making good quality cables at low cost for years and the Amazon pricing appears to be lower than Monoprice direct if you choose the 25' cable.

You are dealing with low frequency audio, so all you really need are good quality connectors at the ends and good materials / sheathing that will reject electrical interference. Anything beyond that is window dressing. I like the cloth braiding on the outside as it looks nice but since you're on a budget Monoprice is the way to go.

This cable is even cheaper and will do the job but I like Ryan's cable better. The ends look better quality and sheathing is thicker so will likely stand up better to abuse.
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
I like the cables from Bluejeans better because of their connectors, but a 25ft will cost a grip. Monoprice mentioned by Ryan is what I'd go with.
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
I like the cables from Bluejeans better because of their connectors, but a 25ft will cost a grip. Monoprice mentioned by Ryan is what I'd go with.
Not worth it for the sub I’m currently using didn’t even cost that much used lol.. but some cables last forever ..Monoprice onix is cheaper . But 35 feet is only size on sale $33…
First- stop believing ANY marketing hype about cables. Coax is fine- even RG59 is fine. For that matter, Cat5e would be fine if you use a decent balun to convert from RJ45 to RCA plugs.

Second- gravity always wins, so don't use a heavy cable and plug with a long strain relief that sticks out horizontally- the weight of the cable pulls down and stresses the jack & plug.

Third- what you find depends on the words used in your search. There is no 'best' at the level most people can afford- 'best' is OK if a small number are being compared (good, better, best) but in absolute terms, it just leads to a rabbit hole and confusion.

If you hear hum with more than one cable, you have a ground loop or a source of EMI (Electro-Magnetic interference). Move the cable way from the existing path and if the hum stops, find a better path that works for your room's arrangement. If you only hear hum when using one cable and can't get it to stop, use a different cable. Any cable with RCA ends, or a piece of coax with F to RCA adapters. If that doesn't work, use an extension cord for the subwoofer's power cord and lug it into the same outlet as the rest of the system. If the hum stops, it shows that the resistance on your electrical wiring contacts is high or the other outlet is on a different circut.

Why do you think you need a better cable?
for my jamo sub. It’s gotta keep up with a larger one. And it’s 9-10 feet away I need to move it closer .
My longest one broke, and I don’t know how to repair it. Acoustic research.
IMG_8616.jpeg
IMG_8615.jpeg
IMG_8614.jpeg
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
Not worth it for the sub I’m currently using didn’t even cost that much used lol.. but some cables last forever ..Monoprice onix is cheaper . But 35 feet is only size on sale $33…
for my jamo sub. It’s gotta keep up with a larger one. And it’s 9-10 feet away I need to move it closer .
My longest one broke, and I don’t know how to repair it. Acoustic research.View attachment 78205View attachment 78206View attachment 78207
That is pretty much why I like the Bluejeans :) I've used them for years and never had one break. I have had some even pricier brands break. I don't think I would pay that for a 25 footer either though. My sub is about 10ft. away
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
That is pretty much why I like the Bluejeans :) I've used them for years and never had one break. I have had some even pricier brands break. I don't think I would pay that for a 25 footer either though. My sub is about 10ft. away
I may use it to measure how far I need. A 15 might reach.
Have you ever repaired a cable ? It seems high quality beside the broken end.
 
Eppie

Eppie

Audioholic Ninja
I may use it to measure how far I need. A 15 might reach.
Have you ever repaired a cable ? It seems high quality beside the broken end.
Basic instructions here. There are also YoutTube videos. At minimum requires a soldering iron, solder and wire strippers or a sharp knife. The heat shrink tubing gives added protection.

The other end of the cable, the end looks bent. If you move your equipment around, unplug the cables first. Bent and broken pins indicate some kind of lateral pressure on the connector while plugged in.
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
I have not repaired a coax RCA before, because I tend to have plenty around. Just not 15-25 ft.
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
Basic instructions here. There are also YoutTube videos. At minimum requires a soldering iron, solder and wire strippers or a sharp knife. The heat shrink tubing gives added protection.

The other end of the cable, the end looks bent. If you move your equipment around, unplug the cables first. Bent and broken pins indicate some kind of lateral pressure on the connector while plugged in.
yeah it’s nearly bent. From when I had a sub in the corner beside mlp.
I don’t have a soldering iron,/&: and still haven’t used one .
I have not repaired a coax RCA before, because I tend to have plenty around. Just not 15-25 ft.
seems complicated but I’ll keep the cable for possible repair . Later on…
found a 10 foot red & white RCA cable but it seems it’s not long enough for were I want to put the jamo. Maybe long enough to try the sub on the other side of the room but I’m thinking it might bleed bass into the rest of the house . I may have to bring down my firing Firing sub .

I don’t have a soldering iron,/&: and still haven’t used one .
 
G

Golfx

Senior Audioholic
That is pretty much why I like the Bluejeans :) I've used them for years and never had one break. I have had some even pricier brands break. I don't think I would pay that for a 25 footer either though. My sub is about 10ft. away
I support this post. I too use bluejeans because I trust them. Amazon options are a race to the bottom/cheapest.
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
I support this post. I too use bluejeans because I trust them. Amazon options are a race to the bottom/cheapest.
not sure if I’ll spend that much but
Looks 65-85 before taxes and shipping depending on if I get a 20 or 25 foot.
There speaker cable is way out of budget right now. checked out those also.
IMG_8838.png
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
Yeah, that is what I was saying. That's pretty pricey for a 20ft cable. Monoprice might be your best option.
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
Yeah, that is what I was saying. That's pretty pricey for a 20ft cable. Monoprice might be your best option.
Yeah it seems more of a familiar brand than some of the others claiming to be premium . Although they look decent . Mediabrige seems gone now , the last one I got .
IMG_8613.png
IMG_8612.png

IMG_8865.png

bluejeans is still too expensive $$$
Way too much $$$
 
Eppie

Eppie

Audioholic Ninja
The forum regulars all know that you're on a tight budget. RCA cables are not rocket science. I use an el-cheapo RCA cable that is 30 years old for my fancy SVS subwoofer and it works just fine. Just go and get the Monoprice cable that Ryan linked to.
 
Kingnoob

Kingnoob

Audioholic Ninja
The forum regulars all know that you're on a tight budget. RCA cables are not rocket science. I use an el-cheapo RCA cable that is 30 years old for my fancy SVS subwoofer and it works just fine. Just go and get the Monoprice cable that Ryan linked to.
I was going to use a regular RCA but all the searching in my box of cables 10 foot was longest I could find. I can try and see how far it will reach . Right now I’m using an acoustic research RCA for the close sub. 5 foot or so.
I need 15-25.
Yeah it looks thicker than the next step up. And I’d assume no noticeable difference? $12 more … so 50% costlier .
Then the blue Rigger and other ones no name unknowns are just generic clones I’d assume of popular brands like Monoprice?
tin copper core and aluminum? Is a step down from what is best
 

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