Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378 |
I'm not suggesting people should buy the ridiculously priced cables, but even in (computer) networking, cables matter. If you try to run 100Mbps Ethernet on marginal CAT3 rated cables, you will get errors on the wire. Of course, for speaker cables, keeping conductivity high is what matters. So I'm just suggesting that using a thicker cable for longer runs (with 4 ohm speakers) will make a difference. Just not $7000's worth!!! Exactly. The ethernet cable is entirely different. It's built to carry low power high frequency signals. The speaker cable only has to carry frequencies as high a 22 kHz, but at a much greater power level. The inductance of the cable comes into play at these ultra-high frequencies (read open circuit). A nice thick gauge cable (12 to 14 gauge) of any maker will suffice for speaker wire use. I was also going to make a comment about the sample size, but John beat me to it.
LFR1100 Actives,QS10HPx2,QS8x2,EP800,M3x4,M3x2 (Wood),M5HPx2 (Wood),AxiomAir,ADA1500-8,ADA1500-7
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 602
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 602 |
Hang,
I was not really replying to you, I was just next in line on the thread. I will say that I'm familiar with networking environments and the difference between various twisted pair wire, as I work in IT for a company that has 12,000 employees in my town. I even wired my own house.
If your talking apples to apples, and using the proper AWG for the situation, you won't be able to recognize any difference. I know. I was just replying "in general" and wanted to make sure that I'm not in the "wow...must be expensive so it must be good...." crowd. Although I tend to think you get what you paid for, in audio, that doesn't really apply. I also used the Cat3/5 example because I knew you had an IT background. Hey, it's in your profile!
-- Denon 4520, EPIC80/500/VP180 Speakers
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Hi folks, without getting into the quality of cable = better sound argument, the Cat3 example caught my eye as requiring some further explanation. Cat 3 verses Cat 5 wiring is not a relevant example for analogue sound transfer. The difference that cat5 cas over cat3 is not so much quality but in design and it is designed to assist where you have multiple data paths all flowing through the same sheathed cable. The difference is in the way the pairs inside are twisted. Cat 3 has multiple pairs of wires but these pairs are not twisted together individually. It's designed for analogue signal such as phone use and works fine for that. Cat 5 is designed for things like computer data transfer where each pair has separate data signals traveling through it simultaneously. The only significant difference is that each of the pairs are twisted together to help 'insulate' each pair from the other pairs signal via induction. It is the twists that make this a better choice for data transfers, it is not the 'quality' of the cable. Without the twists effecting the magnetic fields to reduce induction, you would be limited to very short lengths for data transfers. This is not nearly as relevant to a single pair of speaker wires, even if they are mixed in the wall with a few other speaker wires. Not being argumentative at all, just thought I could help clear up this point.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
As someone who has terminated many ethernet cables over the years, I can't help but recite:
orange-white orange green-white blue blue-white green brown-white brown
whenever I see an unsheathed cable.
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
Oh good, someone who terminates cat-5 the same way I do.
Although these days I generally demand 5e or 6.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 49
buff
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buff
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 49 |
I know Adam Savage has been wanting to do this myth but hasn't yet figured out how to make it compelling for TV.
Well, I guess they could do what they alway do at the end of a "boring" episode: Cram some C4 in the speakers and blow it up at the end ;-)
My new system: M80s, VP-150, EP-350 and QS8s, Denon AVR-889, Samsung BD-P1500 and XBox360
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
I got the impression that they were actually kind of tired of doing explosions. Adam, Peter, did you get that feeling too?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
They are the audience's bitches when it comes to explosions, it seems. Sean, you are not helping.
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