RG6 or RG-59 for audio/component and sub cable?

[maxse]

I decided with the advice of you guys on this foum to make my own component and sub woofer cables. The thing is that when I checked over on AVS forums, a lot of people where saying to go with the Belden RG-59 cable for this. They said that the fact that it has a larger coper middle and is better then the RG-6 that has less copper but more shielding. Also people say not to go with the Home Depot cable but to order the belden one because they are superior. In addition some people said that RG6 can cause distortion or something with component or audio cables while the RG-59 did not. So what advice can you give me? And out of curiosity what does Bluejeans use for their component cables that are so highly regarded?

Also how can I make sure that the home depot one is all copper. And there seems to be a difference between the RG6 and RG6 quad shield which I thought was the same cable. What would you suggest?

 

[markw]

In all honesty I doubt you'll hear a difference.

Just make sure you solidly terminate the ends.

 

[maxse]

Just found this:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=438868&highlight=rg6

posts #16 and #20 seem to say that RG6 is no good?

 

[jaxvon]

RG6 is a higher bandwidth cable. Obviously if you use RG6 but buy crap cable, it won't perform to the level of a quality RG59 cable. Quad shielding is overrated. A pair of good braid shields or a braid/foil combo is plenty of shielding provided the coverage is good. Take a Cable like Belden's RG6 1694A. It's a braid/foil combo with flat response to over 3GHz. Your video signals won't even hit 1GHz. It's total overkill, but it's a quality cable that will work for ANY coax installation.

 

[maxse]

awesome thanks jax for helping out. Im about to order now with some 14GA or 12GA but it seems they are out of stick on the 12GA but you are already helping me in the other "speaker" thread so thank you.

I got the 1694a cable. I hope that I Can use it for component, sub, and audio if I need to.

I am going with these tools please let me know what you think. Also can any1 suggest some heat shrinks or something so I can make the part where the connection is look a little better. Perhaps even color ones like Red Gren Blue for componen and yellow for video, white for audio. Something cheap. Thanks guys. Anyways The tools are in this thread. Let me know (thx bmxtrix):

http://www.bigscreenforums.com/forum_topic.cfm?which=2053

 

[jaxvon]

That's some great cable. It'll be good for any audio or video coax application you can think of. How much did you end up getting?

 

[maxse]

It is still in my cart. I am waiting for you to answer my speaker wire question so I can just purchase it at one time. Also can u suggest any heat shrinks? I edited the thread above for that.

But in my vart I have 155'. And am waiting for your reply on the speaker cable because the one I wanted to get is out of stock right now.

 

[jaxvon]

Okay, since you haven't purchased the coax yet, you might want to get a couple different kinds. Why? The 1694A isn't the most flexible cable. It's great for going long video runs because it's such low-loss. But if you plan on going short audio runs behind your euqipment rack, you're going to want something that's nicer to work with. The Belden 1505F is a stranded coax, which means it will be more flexible.

As far as speaker cable goes, you should be okay with 14ga cable at 50 feet. 12ga would be preferable (if you want to wait). Either way, you should opt for the 5000UP or 5100UP. These are the higher strand count cables and will be easier to work with for in-wall runs.

Also, for the speaker cable runs, how did you calculate 50ft/speaker? I'm not trying to question your intelligence, but it's best to ask easy questions before you run out of speaker cable and get frustrated.

 

[maxse]

G ot the 1694A because it was recommended at AVS forums and here as well as an all around good cable... Thanks for all of your help.

50' is probably me going over. I used a measure and measured the distance and added a couple of feet for obstacles and such. The surround speakers will be 20, and 24 feet respectively.... The center should be more like 40' L/R 45' and 35' This way I have some slack... Thanks again went with the 5100UP as per your advice.

 

[maxse]

any1 know if the tools are all I will need? will this part number (092-498) at parts exspress will work with the 1694A I ordered? Also I see people talking about dies and stuff what is that? And also is there any way I can color code these cabels with some heat shrink material or something so I can easily see the different colors for the component cables? And also so it would cover the connection area so it looks nice?

*EDIT* Found a bunch that work with a hair dryer on partexpress, but I have no idea of the diameter that I need for my cable and the connector I wll use (Check the part number I listed in the thread because I want to make sure I can even use it). Thanks guys.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can use heat shrink. Get some 2:1 or even 3:1 heat shrink and make sure the unshrunk size is at least 1/2". The RCA connectors from Parts Express are 7/16" in diameter. So, that'll give you plenty to shrink down upon. You can nicely color code it with different colored heat shrink or even colored electrical tape.

I am entirely unconvinced about the quality of diferent cables. The stuff from Home Depot is cheap, and works nicely. Yes, foil with braid works better, but at a cost premium and it mainly affects quality into areas that HDTV video doesn't come close to touching. Basically, it says, when you are driving your cavalier, at 300 mph, you will get better protection! Great, except I will be driving at 60 mph usually.

Overkill is all it seems to me and not worth the extra cash unless there is a significant, measurable improvement in used frequencies.

Which will happily lead me to change my mind.

 

[jaxvon]

There's also the notion that by buying complete overkill cable like 1694A, you'll never sit there and go, "Could I have bought better?", because you know your cable is good to 3Ghz, and there's no reason to get better. It's proactive upgraditis vaccination.

 

[maxse]

There's also the notion that by buying complete overkill cable like 1694A, you'll never sit there and go, "Could I have bought better?", because you know your cable is good to 3Ghz, and there's no reason to get better. It's proactive upgraditis vaccination.

Upgraditis Vaccination thats funny. Thanks guys. How many mm are there in half an inch. Damn it all the measurements there are in mm!

*EDIT* Nevermind, went with 18mm. Hope it will look nice. Thanks guys for your help.

 

[jaxvon]

Google is the answer. Type ".5 inches in mm" into google and it will calculate it for you. Just so you don't have to this time, there are 12.7mm in a half inch.

 

[jcPanny]

Blue Jeans

Blue Jeans cable has a description of the different types of coax offered for each of their cable types. It includes the benefits of each kind including flexibility, thickness, etc.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/subwoofer/index.htm