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How to select a good Speaker Cable

Speaker cables do have a significant role in how our system sounds. Different cables sound different. 

So which one is the right one for you?

The Speaker Cable is an extension of the Amp. and not an addition to the speaker's load. It shall have a certain resistance (low) not to spoil the Amp's DF figure. As so, it can be calculated and there is a formula to do it.

The higher the Amp's DF, the lower the Speaker Cable's resistance shall be. As today SS power Amp's get DFs of 400 and above (Digital Amps go by thousands) the cable of 10 ft (3m) long, gets as thick as 0 AWG.

I can see your eyebrows elevates, when that thick cable is to be deal with. Most Speaker Cable makers skip it because of that. So most cables on the market (regardless of the look or price) are of 14-12 AWG. Way less that supposed to be.

Worst! no Speaker Cable maker, dealer or seller knows the answer, of what is the correct cable for your system. 

So most of us ended up, with a cables too thin for the task.

A conducted test, on this site, about a year ago as well as with some closer friends, shows a significant improvement with a calculated size cable over their previous cable. The results were all positive and preferred the calculated cable.

So, instead of asking: which of two brands, or two prices or two colors of Speaker Cable do I need, you should ask how thick of a Speaker Cable do I need.

I'll be happy to provide you the calculation, for who request it. All you need to provide is:

1). Length (Ft. or meter)

2). The Amp's DF figure.

Thanks


128x128b4icu

Showing 4 responses by vinylshadow

vinylshadow
425 posts
 
Mr. b4icu.
Jeff Rowland Model 12 monoblocks- >100 DF
8 ft. speaker cables(Straight Wire 2009 first edition Crescendo cables).

They now make Crescendo 3's-The CDA 101 conductors are now “compacted” with 6% compression instead of 3-4%. Composed of 12 conductors groups at 15awg. Original Crescendo likely also 15 awg.

I was considering a different companies cables that  are supposed to be excellent(Vertere Acoustics). But will await your thoughts.
Thank you very much indeed.
vinylshadow
425 posts
 
Head ye over to your local Straight Wire dealer and purchase Crescendo 3 speaker cables.
Or:https://www.thecableco.com/crescendo-3-interconnect-pair.html

You're welcome.
vinylshadow
425 posts
 
Thank you b4icu.

The reason the speaker cables are 8 ft is the nature of the Straight Wire Crescendo cable. If you look up a picture, the cable is a thick, minimally bendable rope of a cable due to it’s foam/PTFE insulation and compression . But the main issue is where the right side monoblock is sitting in my equipment rack vs. the left side. There is a wall corner on the right side that the cable has to navigate around and the dealer/installer wanted to keep the cable lengths the same.

And yes, the interconnects between my Classe processor and Model 12’s are XLR.

I will be moving on to new speaker cables soon enough and will definitely want them shorter and more flexible. That is why I was looking at Vertere Acoustics as my analog rig, interconnects and mains cables are mostly Vertere. I’ve read "ideally" you want the same company’s wires and cables due to similar dialectics etc but the speaker cables may not apply to that.....

Again, with amps of a damping factor >100, if I went with 6’ cables, which AWG would you advise. Would that gauge be different for 2 meters(6.5')?
Thank you.
vinylshadow
425 posts
 
Mr. b4icu-
From what I’ve read about damping factor, a high number is not a be all and end all. A lot depends on the speakers being driven(JM Lab Mezzo Utopia’s @ 4ohm, 92.5dB sensitivity) and the marriage between the 2.

Not to sound defensive but I have a feeling that Jeff Rowland knows what he’s doing with his amp designs.

Your equation does not take into account the speakers and their resistance etc..
The Model 12 manual lists the DF value as >(greater than)100. Not 100. So, I don’t know how much greater than 100.
The president of PS Audio states that a DF of about 100 is going to control a speaker just fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFifYcepPaM
Anyhow, the system sounds great but better speaker cables will be even better.... Vertere Acoustics mains and speaker cables all start at 2 meters. They did tests and that is the minimum length they were satisfied with. I asked about 1 meter mains. No go...I cannot go 1 meter anyhow but I will certainly keep the cable gauge in mind.

Thank you.
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