Long interconnect or speaker cable

That is what XLR is made for.  XLR handles long runs.   One reason monoblocks are popular is for just this setup.

Jerry

Just so the OP has additional resources: https://forum.audiogon.com/search/index?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=Long+interconnect+or+speaker+cable

@carlsbad2 +1

@w123ale Wrote:

So, all things being equal, what’s better for SQ, a long run of lesser XLRs or speaker cables?

In my experience, a long run of lesser XLRs! See tutorial below:

Mike

https://www.ranecommercial.com/legacy/pdf/ranenotes/Sound_System_Interconnection.pdf

Shorter speaker cables would be my choice. Then again power cable length would have to fit into the equation.

The rule of thumb is to break between the preamp and amp, so long interconnects and very short speaker cables. It is ideal to put mono blocks next to the speaker they power. You get a big performance gain with 1 - 2’ high quality speak cables. The shorter the better.

XLR is not required for that length… but they certainly will not hurt and may help. But if it is a trade off between much better quality interconnects and XLR I would likely choose single ended.
 

If you have short interconnects (both rca and XLR) I would compare them and see if there is a notable difference. While my preamp and amp is of balanced design and the manufacturer recommends XLR… I could not hear a difference.

That being said, I bought XLR because I could afford them ($5K) and it was worth the piece of mind. But it is up to the individual. Going from RCA to XLR was nearly $3K more.

@w123ale - +1 for short speaker cables

And get stands for the amps

Getting the amps off the floor looks much nicer and aids isolation

• Amp Stands

You should tale a look at Zavfino XLR and speaker cables - great perofrmance at reasonable prices

Regards - Steve

Great input all, much appreciated, and confirms what I was thinking 

Certainly longer xlr. As for the speaker cable, do not do less than 5-6ft even if the length required is something like 3ft. You want to allow the speaker cable to do their job. Too short of a run and you can get added noise into the speaker because of the fact that it is so short, as speaker cable has an ability to dissipate unwanted noise over longer runs respectively and not going too long where you get signal loss. If you are going to keep them super short, be sure to use a smaller awg cable as to reduce signal to noise. It’s an issue some powered speakers can run into. Cables are like tone controls, longer and shorter runs of identical speaker cable can sometimes sound different on the same set up. 

So, my REL subs are upfront near my floor standers. Would there be any concern about the vibration of the subs next to the mono blocks? I’d put the 601s on small stands which would help, but I’m sure the bass energy would still cause the amps to vibrate. Maybe it doesn’t matter for amps?

I chuckle sometimes that we are so obsessive about cable length. I agree that the longer run should be XLR whenever possible. If it makes you uncomfortable to have a 20 foot run of XLR between your preamp and amp, note that in live venues they run hundreds of feet of this cable, sometimes all the way to a recording van outside. Even in studios there can be 100+ foot runs of XLR. I have never seen one of the master recording engineers express a concern about XLR cable length.

@passfan70 Wrote:

 If you are going to keep them super short, be sure to use a smaller awg cable as to reduce signal to noise. It’s an issue some powered speakers can run into. Cables are like tone controls, longer and shorter runs of identical speaker cable can sometimes sound different on the same set up. 

I don't think a powered speaker requires a speaker cable, a powered speaker has the amp(s) installed inside the speaker cabinet. 😎

Mike

I was just referring to the speaker cable inside the cabinet connected to the output of the built in amp. Output distortions from the amp go input direct to the driver is all. Simple and a small quib but this hobby is gets so darn particular. 

Internal crossovers compensate for this though but not entirely. 

Go to Guitar Center, save yourself a couple of bucks.

Mogami Gold Neglex Quad Microphone Cable for Studio Neutrik XLR 25 ft. | Guitar Center

"Would there be any concern about the vibration of the subs next to the mono blocks? "

Oh dear...looks like a case of A.N.

Get the cable, enjoy music while staying off audio forums.

You can use the wire from Mogami like the Neglex Quad 2534 or the Canare version of it and put Neutrik XLR's on each end, these cables and the Neutrik ends are great for these types of applications.

You can always wrap the cables with a "flex wrap" that come in a myriad of colors. I have used these types of cables when my mono amps are next to the speakers and preamp is quite a ways away on a side wall.

There are companies out there that sell these cables in bulk and some of them will actually assemble a set for you with the Neutrik XLR's. 

http://www.atma-sphere.com/en/resource-why-balanced.html