Long speaker runs... Speaker wire or XLR?

[Hanse18]

Using a preamp with monoblocks powering the rears, which wire would you prefer to use for the majority of the run? I would have answered without a doubt 12 ga. speaker wire, until a couple days ago when Mulester pointed out some great prices on long XLR cables. XLR's are designed for longer runs, so while I may never notice a difference, would a true audiophile say that using XLR cables for the long run will preserve more audio quality? I would then have the amps directly below the rear speakers of course, instead of next to the preamp. Any thoughts?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Using a preamp with monoblocks powering the rears, which wire would you prefer to use for the majority of the run? I would have answered without a doubt 12 ga. speaker wire, until a couple days ago when Mulester pointed out some great prices on long XLR cables. XLR's are designed for longer runs, so while I may never notice a difference, would a true audiophile say that using XLR cables for the long run will preserve more audio quality? I would then have the amps directly below the rear speakers of course, instead of next to the preamp. Any thoughts?

How long is long? What is the space, the amount of RF interference where you live? Near airports, transmitting towers, Spy radars?

 

[Swerd]

Using a preamp with monoblocks powering the rears, which wire would you prefer to use for the majority of the run? I would have answered without a doubt 12 ga. speaker wire, until a couple days ago when Mulester pointed out some great prices on long XLR cables. XLR's are designed for longer runs, so while I may never notice a difference, would a true audiophile say that using XLR cables for the long run will preserve more audio quality? I would then have the amps directly below the rear speakers of course, instead of next to the preamp. Any thoughts?

XLR cables were originally meant to be used for low impedance microphones (or other low signal strenth audio sources) under conditions where RF or EM interference can exist, such as in recording studios. They are most useful when there are lots of different wires and cables all over the place, and when studio technicians can't be bothered with tracking down sources of interference.

The signal from an amplifier to a speaker is orders of magnitude stronger than what is carried in any RCA or XLR interconnect. It is likely to be strong enough to be immune to the types of interference that are trouble for low strength signal carried by audio interconnects. So, even if your preamp and amps are designed to use XLR connections, it is a solution to a problem you don't have.

Real interference is a problem with a real solution, audiophile upgraditis nervosa is a problem that no cable will cure . Stick to the real problems.

 

[Hanse18]

XLR cables were originally meant to be used for low impedance microphones (or other low signal strenth audio sources) under conditions where RF or EM interference can exist, such as in recording studios. They are most useful when there are lots of different wires and cables all over the place, and when studio technicians can't be bothered with tracking down sources of interference.

The signal from an amplifier to a speaker is orders of magnitude stronger than what is carried in any RCA or XLR interconnect. It is likely to be strong enough to be immune to the types of interference that are trouble for low strength signal carried by audio interconnects. So, even if your preamp and amps are designed to use XLR connections, it is a solution to a problem you don't have.

Real interference is a problem with a real solution, audiophile upgraditis nervosa is a problem that no cable will cure . Stick to the real problems.

To be honest, I never really had the intention of actually using the XLR cables to cover the distance to my speakers, I was simply curious if anyone felt there was absolutely any audible difference, or if measurements would suggest there would be, although so minute no one could ever hear them haha. I will, of course, be using 12 ga. in wall speaker wire, not only because it will end up being a little cheaper, but if and when we sell the house, the next owner is much more likely to utilize in-wall speaker wire than xlr cables.

I am going to be a sucker and use XLR's for like the 3 ft from my preamp to my amps, but that's just because I enjoy wasting my money on expensive cables, when any 75 ohm rca will work...

So real problems, eh? I am starting to feel this large lump on my right kidney, and I've been peeing alot of blood recently... Think I should get that checked out, or wait until after I finish the HT?

 

[Swerd]

To be honest, I never really had the intention of actually using the XLR cables to cover the distance to my speakers, I was simply curious if anyone felt there was absolutely any audible difference, or if measurements would suggest there would be, although so minute no one could ever hear them haha.

In the world of hifi audio, there are always some who believe that any tweak, no matter how costly, is not only worth it but necessary. This seems to be especially true for cables. A lot of overkill is committed in the name of perfection when adequate is usually more than enough. Exotic cables for hifi can be like using an elephant gun on a housefly when a fly swatter will do.

So real problems, eh? I am starting to feel this large lump on my right kidney, and I've been peeing alot of blood recently... Think I should get that checked out, or wait until after I finish the HT?

You really should look after those kidneys. If you ever want to upgrade to that vacuum tube amplifier, a healthy kidney is quite valuable on the organ transplant black market .