Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 5 of 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
Murph #224650 10/09/08 05:46 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 853
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 853
 Originally Posted By: Murph


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.


Great point Murph. Cat 5 makes a terrific speaker cable because of its low inductance and low resistance.

One of my pet projects a while ago was to find a set of speaker cables which didn't colour sound at all. In a closet somewhere I have a boxful of various exotic cables some pricey, some not. Regardless I always came back to single 12awg zip chord, until I came across the article below. So I made a DIY set of in-wall 16awg doubled up cables (becomes 13awg) with ultralink connectors. I've been very pleased with the results.

Cost for 1 set of 16 ft cables was $20 for the in-wall dual connector twisted quad electrical cable at Home Depot, $20 for the connectors, $1 for the shrink wrap. $41 in total. As the article said a main objective is to keep inductance as low as possible the longer the run, hence the advantage of dual connectors.


http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_2/ultralink-CL414-cable-5-2003.html

As for interconnects that's a different story, but as the Colin Miller commentary suggests the better ones have low capacitance characteristics. The Blue Jeans Low Capacitance interconnects are what I use for RCA connections.

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



John
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
pmbuko #224653 10/09/08 06:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1
 Originally Posted By: pmbuko
They are the audience's bitches when it comes to explosions, it seems. Sean, you are not helping.


Peter, you're right. . .












*boom*


***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
St_PatGuy #224660 10/09/08 08:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
J
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
J
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
what if they blew up a few Bose systems?


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
jakewash #224661 10/09/08 08:26 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Maybe they could hook up a huge generator or battery or something to cables until they melt or show appreciable resistance.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
Haoleb #228654 11/06/08 02:53 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
J
regular
Offline
regular
J
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
Regarding gold and copper:
Gold is much more stable than copper, it is almost completely un-reactive in air. Copper on the other hand (as does extremely conductive silver) reacts with CO2 and O2 in the air to form non-conductive copper-salts.

That is the reason that most contacts are gold-plated, not because gold is the best conductor.

The appropriate statistical test is the chi-squared test:
chi-squared=(expected-observed)^2/expected

24/39 versus 18/39 is no where near statistically meaningful.
EPIC FAIL for the WSJ!


Jeff
M3 Fronts, QS4 Rears
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
Hansang #228700 11/06/08 02:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,349
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,349
 Originally Posted By: Hansang
As for Mythbusters, I just don't know how they could test it objectively.


Not all of their myths tests are 100% objective. See the recent segments involving the blind-man-driving-while-a-drunk-jamie-instructs and the "Beer Goggles", where they rated the attractiveness of people at different levels of intoxication. These were based on subjective responses.

In such a speaker-wire/amps-matter myth episode, they could test the physical properties of the sound to see if there's any difference using various methods. Then they could do a series of psychological tests with random subjects to see if they can skew the results on sets of identical wires/amps by telling folks that one set cost $X and the other $X,XXX, or by seeing which set people prefer.

I agree that it wouldn't appeal to everyone, but it sure would to a lot of us around here! \:\)

And heck, the way they *always* make a point of asking for suggestions, I'd think that eventually they'll get around to doing it.


M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2
SVS Pci+ 20-39
Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1
M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
PeterChenoweth #228701 11/06/08 02:33 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
It looks like all it takes is for someone (tag, your it) to post it on their forum and then we can all chime in about how great of an idea it is...

Mythbuster's Idea Forums


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
nickbuol #228716 11/06/08 04:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
J
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
J
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
The idea has been on their forum since day one and still nothing. \:\(


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
jakewash #228738 11/07/08 12:03 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
This thread was a failure since the title was conceived.

Flip a coin 300 times and you might get 61% heads and the rest tails. That's all I'm going to say.

Last edited by danmagicman7; 11/07/08 12:04 AM.


M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
Re: Proof that Speaker Cables Do Matter!
danmagicman7 #228739 11/07/08 12:25 AM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
Well, that would be clear proof that you had an imbalanced coin.


Epic 80-800: HG Cherry
Page 5 of 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,984
Posts442,691
Members15,643
Most Online2,699
Aug 8th, 2024
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,849
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 595 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4