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Wireing for HDbaseT
#317123 07/30/10 08:17 PM
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Another day, another standard.... HDBaseT

I don't know if this one will catch on but I hope it does. I can wire Cat5e in my sleep...

Given that I'm ripping out the existing drywall as a first step in my Home Theater remodel anyway I figure I might as well pull cable for HDBaseT just in case.

My question is, Should I run an Ethernet cable to each speaker location? Will speakers ever conceivably use it or are they analog forever and always? I really hate ripping out drywall...


M22's x 3, QS8's x 4
SVS PC12-Plus, Denon 3311ci
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Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
Scamp #317128 07/30/10 09:07 PM
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Speakers will only ever use digital connections if they have built-in amplifiers with D/A converters. The speakers's engine (the voice coil and magnet assembly) is an analog device. Unless somebody invents an entirely new way to push and pull air in a way that creates sound, I don't think you have anything to worry about. smile

Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
pmbuko #317134 07/30/10 09:36 PM
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Meridian did make digtial-to-the-speaker connections from their receivers. It used MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing), which then became the basis of the DVD-Audio format, and then was purchased by Dolby for the core of the TrueHD format.

But now with all the DRM encumbrances I don't imagine we'll be seeing another digital speaker connection. Not that it made a lot of sense back then either. Although I would like to see more "active" speakers with built in amps, active crossovers, and line-level connections.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
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Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
Scamp #317135 07/30/10 09:36 PM
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Some Meridian speakers use Cat 5 to connect speakers. They also have other digital connection options.

http://www.meridian-audio.com/product-mo...oudspeaker.aspx

But, if you have money for those speakers then you are on the wrong board.

Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
ClubNeon #317136 07/30/10 09:38 PM
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Whoa, deja vu. Simultaneous posts about the same thing.

Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
Nick B #317137 07/30/10 09:38 PM
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Hah, beat you to it. smile But I didn't even bother to look if they still made such a thing (they do).


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
Nick B #317140 07/30/10 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: nickboros
Some Meridian speakers use Cat 5 to connect speakers. They also have other digital connection options.

http://www.meridian-audio.com/product-mo...oudspeaker.aspx

But, if you have money for those speakers then you are on the wrong board.


I've got a lottery ticket in my pocket so you never know...

Aww what the heck I'll have a 1000' foot spool of cable anyway. I think I'll just add a Cat5e to the speaker pulls.
(huh, I wonder what gauge cat5e is? Would it work for....)

Although to be fair if I was stepping things up to that level I'd probably have to rip out the drywall again anyway.




Last edited by Scamp; 07/30/10 10:03 PM.

M22's x 3, QS8's x 4
SVS PC12-Plus, Denon 3311ci
Ear-to-ear grin? Priceless!
Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
Scamp #317153 07/30/10 11:03 PM
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People have used two runs of Cat5 as speaker wire, with the 8 solids, and the 8 stripes combined from each run.

I tired it with one run, the 4 and 4, as pos and neg. I will say that's the first time I've heard wire make a difference in sound. Not a good difference mind you, the bass was gone.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
ClubNeon #317166 07/31/10 01:46 AM
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Cat5, I think, is 24 gauge. Not large enough for much more than a 4-20 milliamp signal.

Future proofing is almost an impossibility. Wireless will probably be ready for prime time before too much longer, so you'll most likely need 110V for each speaker before you would net ethernet.

Re: Wireing for HDbaseT
michael_d #317170 07/31/10 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted By: michael_d
Cat5, I think, is 24 gauge. Not large enough for much more than a 4-20 milliamp signal.

Each strand is 24 gauge, but if you braid them it makes it plausible but not reasonable.

Originally Posted By: michael_d
. Wireless will probably be ready for prime time before too much longer,


I've been hearing that related to a number of applications since about the mid 80's.




Last edited by Scamp; 07/31/10 02:48 AM.

M22's x 3, QS8's x 4
SVS PC12-Plus, Denon 3311ci
Ear-to-ear grin? Priceless!
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