Horizon Pro Audio Speaker Snakes

[audiofox]

Anyone here have experience with Horizon multi-conductor speaker snakes? I have been looking without success for some time for a 6 conductor, 12 gaugeg speaker cable for my main and center channel speakers. Horizon appears to be a pro audio products company. Among other things, they make a 4, 6, or 8 conductor cable in several lengths using 13 gauge multistrand copper wire for each conductor. The cables have a 2 foot "fan" at each end, and the rest of the cable is covered with a black PVC sleeve. The cables come pre-terminated with either 1/4" phone plugs or banana plugs. A typical price for a 50 foot 6 conductor "snake" with banana plugs is around $110, which seems like a great price to me. Here is an example listing:

http://www.jacksmusicstore.com/catalog/cables/speaker/snake/cbl-skr-snk-a~spk3-50

If anyone has any experience with this manufacturer, I would be interested in your input. Thanks.

 

[f0am]

Is it just me or are those zip ties at the end of the wires?!
Click the image to zoom it...
I swear those are zip ties...

 

[mtrycrafts]

Is it just me or are those zip ties at the end of the wires?!
Click the image to zoom it...
I swear those are zip ties...

Yes they are but only to keep the loose ends and wire together. You can certainly cut it if needed.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Anyone here have experience with Horizon multi-conductor speaker snakes? I have been looking without success for some time for a 6 conductor, 12 gaugeg speaker cable for my main and center channel speakers. Horizon appears to be a pro audio products company. Among other things, they make a 4, 6, or 8 conductor cable in several lengths using 13 gauge multistrand copper wire for each conductor. The cables have a 2 foot "fan" at each end, and the rest of the cable is covered with a black PVC sleeve. The cables come pre-terminated with either 1/4" phone plugs or banana plugs. A typical price for a 50 foot 6 conductor "snake" with banana plugs is around $110, which seems like a great price to me. Here is an example listing:

http://www.jacksmusicstore.com/catalog/cables/speaker/snake/cbl-skr-snk-a~spk3-50

If anyone has any experience with this manufacturer, I would be interested in your input. Thanks.

If this would meet your needs, to get to your speakers, why would there be a problem? The only thing I see is having the speakers close enough for the unwrapped ends to reach the front 3 speakers. With 2 ft unwrapped, that would be 4 ft apart, kind of close together.

 

[audiofox]

Yeah, I think this is just the ticket. I spoke with the manufacturer today, who told me that they do custom assemblies with pretty much any connector type that you want to specify. Their price for a 6 conductor, 13 gauge/conductor cable is very reasonable-around $1.40 per foot. Now I am trying to decide if I want to terminate the speaker ends at a breakout box (or terminal cups mounted in the wall) and use short runs from the speakers to the box-that would be a cleaner look than trying to hide a thick, 50 foot long cable.

 

[Mudcat]

What's the gauge?

You may run into a little problem though, these "snakes" are often "designed" for use with powered speakers and so their current carrying capability is near nil. You may be lucky and get at least 14 awg, but a lot I've seen are 16 or smaller.

You can make your own "snake" for the R&L Main and a center channel with three lengths of:

http://www.************.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=100-768

use two opposite conductors for supply and return. Wrap all three in this:

http://www.************.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=082-412&CFID=104922&CFTOKEN=22756795

You can even add pants:

http://www.************.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=082-782&CFID=104922&CFTOKEN=22756795

for that professional look

 

[audiofox]

As I already stated, the cable contains 6 insulated conductors, each of which are 13 gauge stranded copper wire. The snake is around 1/2" diameter, including the outer PVC jacket. BTW, the URLs for your posting got cleansed.

 

[Mudcat]

As I already stated, the cable contains 6 insulated conductors, each of which are 13 gauge stranded copper wire. The snake is around 1/2" diameter, including the outer PVC jacket.... .

Oops, missed that part.

 

[jcrobso]

what about "speakon" connectors?

Most pro amps and speakers now come with speakon connectors. John

 

[audiofox]

I considered those but decided to get the unterminated cable and use my own spade lugs for the connectors at each end. That way I can avoid having too many connectors in the signal path-not a concern about fidelity but rather avoidance of future problems because of failed or damaged connectors. Also, I figure I can always add them in the future if I see a need.