Cable Characteristics?

[JPW]

As a novice, I'm wondering if you could help me out. Here are the characteristics of two different speaker cables I'm considering. Which one has the better specs?

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS :

Cable (A)
Nom. Inductance: 0.15 µH/ft
Nom. Capacitance Conductor to Conductor @ 1 KHz: 26 pF/ft
Nom. Conductor DC Resistance @ 20 Deg. C: 1.03 Ω/1000 ft
Max. Operating Voltage - UL: 300 V RMS
Max. Recommended Current: 27.8 Amps per conductor @ 25°C


Cable (B)
• (Cp) parallel capacitance: 821.0 pF @ 20 kHz
• (Ls) series inductance: 0.345 H @ 20 kHz
• (Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.018
• (Xt) total reactance: 0.044 @ 20 kHz
• Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 300 kHz

 

[jaxvon]

DEFINITELY cable A. No question. Cable B's ultra high capacitance and inductance is a bad thing. If you run a tube amp, then the capacitance would reak havok. Cable A. End of discussion.

 

[mtrycrafts]

As a novice, I'm wondering if you could help me out. Here are the characteristics of two different speaker cables I'm considering. Which one has the better specs?

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS :

Cable (A)
Nom. Inductance: 0.15 µH/ft
Nom. Capacitance Conductor to Conductor @ 1 KHz: 26 pF/ft
Nom. Conductor DC Resistance @ 20 Deg. C: 1.03 Ω/1000 ft
Max. Operating Voltage - UL: 300 V RMS
Max. Recommended Current: 27.8 Amps per conductor @ 25°C


Cable (B)
• (Cp) parallel capacitance: 821.0 pF @ 20 kHz
• (Ls) series inductance: 0.345 H @ 20 kHz
• (Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.018
• (Xt) total reactance: 0.044 @ 20 kHz
• Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 300 kHz

Cable A is a 10ga cable from that resistance data.
Cable B is indeterminable at this time as resistance has no length unit attached. How long is that loop so we can figure out the gauge.

You really don't need a 10ga speaker cable, unless you are running very long runs.

 

[JPW]

Thanks for the response guys. Cable B is a 9 Ga. That might give you a clue to the brand?

 

[jneutron]

As a novice, I'm wondering if you could help me out. Here are the characteristics of two different speaker cables I'm considering. Which one has the better specs?

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS :

Cable (A)
Nom. Inductance: 0.15 µH/ft
Nom. Capacitance Conductor to Conductor @ 1 KHz: 26 pF/ft
Nom. Conductor DC Resistance @ 20 Deg. C: 1.03 Ω/1000 ft
Max. Operating Voltage - UL: 300 V RMS
Max. Recommended Current: 27.8 Amps per conductor @ 25°C


Cable (B)
• (Cp) parallel capacitance: 821.0 pF @ 20 kHz
• (Ls) series inductance: 0.345 H @ 20 kHz
• (Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.018
• (Xt) total reactance: 0.044 @ 20 kHz
• Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 300 kHz

The specs were a little confusing.

You should have mentioned that "B" was 2.5 meters in length.

That gives a different set of specs..now "B" is 100 pf per foot, and 42 nH per foot.

"A" has an effective dc of 3.77, "B" is 4.06.

"A" has 3.5 times the inductance as "B".

"B" has 4 times the capacitance of "A".

"A" has a characteristic impedance of 76 ohms.

"B" has a characteristic impedance of 20 ohms.

It is unclear that you would be able to detect a difference betwen the two. "B" will be slightly faster at slew rate capability into 8 ohms, but you may not notice that in the soundstage.

Cheers, John

 

[JPW]

Thanks for the explanation John. I don't comprehend all the terms you used, but I'm learning. I'm going to spend more time listening and see what I hear.

FYI: Cable A is Belden 5T00UP, and cable B is Kimber Kable 8TC.

 

[jneutron]

Thanks for the explanation John. I don't comprehend all the terms you used, but I'm learning. I'm going to spend more time listening and see what I hear.

FYI: Cable A is Belden 5T00UP, and cable B is Kimber Kable 8TC.

No problem.

Boy, you really got slammed at asylum, didn't you? I was suprised at the hostility given.

Inductance is typically specified as per foot, the kimber site gives the total for 8 feet. Same with capacitance.

Inductance is kinda like using a bungee cord to tow a car. No matter how fast the tow truck jerks forward, the car will move more smoothly. This is the slew rate limit I was talking about..how fast the speaker can move even though that inductive "bungee cord" is between the amp and the speaker.

Capacitance is like the car being really heavy..takes a lot more to get it going.

(don't take this model too far, it's just for feel..)

Cheers, John

 

[JPW]

Thanks John. I believe the lunatics have taken over the asylum. The arrogance there is simply unbelievable. I really appreciate your responses and explanation. Thanks again!