Yes, Kevin, that's exactly why what you were told makes no sense. Sean would arbitrarily have to use a 40' wire on the 10' distance to his closer surround in order to satisfy the, again meaningless for home distances, equal-length requirement. That's what would cause an(insignificant)additional strain on the amp. If the distances in question are significantly unequal, e.g. the 10'/40' here, it's obviously impossible to both have the lengths equal and at the same time no longer than needed.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.