Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Coax Cables vs RCA cables
#147478 09/13/06 04:40 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 133
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 133
Is there a difference? I'm using an old RCA cable that must have come with my first DVD player or my last VCR to connect my AVR to my sub.

Re: Coax Cables vs RCA cables
DrunkenWolf #147479 09/13/06 05:01 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
For a powered sub, just about any RCA cable will do. It is only sending a low power signal to the sub, unlike your main speakers which get the signal an power running across them.

Obviously with long runs, higher quality cables may play a bigger factor in noise resistance, better build construction (longer cable means higher risk of possible break somewhere in the wiring, especially with an "old" cable).


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: Coax Cables vs RCA cables
nickbuol #147480 09/13/06 05:10 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 133
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 133
Cool, that's what I figured. It's a 3' cable. I had some guys run wire through my wall today for my surrounds and they pointed out the subwoofer wire to my wife so I figured I'd double check.

Re: Coax Cables vs RCA cables
DrunkenWolf #147481 09/13/06 05:40 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602
B
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602
Just an upsell/installation guys learning everything from their money-hungry masters kind of thing.

Bren R.

Re: Coax Cables vs RCA cables
DrunkenWolf #147482 09/13/06 12:14 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
In case it helps, just wanted to make it clear that "coax" and "RCA" are really talking about different things.

A coax cable uses coaxial wires (one inside the other) between the connectors, and can use RCA or other connectors.

An RCA cable has RCA connectors on the ends and can either use coax or regular wire.

Many, but not all, RCA cables use coax. Many, but not all, coax cables use RCA connectors.

My only concern with using a non-coax cable for a subwoofer is that coax cables are better at keeping 60 hz hum out, but for a 3 foot cable you're probably OK. If you find the subwoofer has a "hum" when no content is playing you might want to look at the cable first.


M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 386 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4