Soeaker cables technologic dilema…


We have two technological solutions when it comes to speaker cable: 
 
1. Four wires (2 on + and 2 on -), twisted in a star quad, in a screened braid and in one collective insulation.

2. Second solution: two SEPARATE double-wire cables, one for + and one for -, but without shield. 


The number of cores, core cross-section, material, weave, both in NES-3003-G and NES-3005-G everything is the same. 
 
In the first solution we have a screen, and in the second solution we have a separation of plus and minus. 
 
How will it be better? What to expect?
milimetr

Thank you @richardbrand for your substantive input.

 As a reminder, I currently have an NES-3003 MKII, where two wires are connected as "+" and the other two as "-" and gives aggregated gauge 10.5 AWG (6 mm2) per leg.

I am considering upgrading to the newer version of Neotech speaker cables with grefen used, and considering that the NES-3005 in dual runs and the NES-3003 have practically the same cross-sections gauge, the same insulation, and probably the same wire structure, my original question seems reasonable and justified.

 

From the arguments presented in the discussion so far, it follows that:

1. The wires twisted close together (NES-3003) have greater capacitance, but this capacitance is rather negligible for audio applications if kept at reasonable level,

2. The screen in the speaker cable is rather negligible, due to the high level of the audio signal and lack of exposure to extensive EMI and RFI - this points prefers double run of NES-3005,

3. Air is a better insulator than PVC, so physically moving the "+" and "-" wires apart will provide better insulation between the two wires (this prefers double run of NES-3005),

4. As for the inductance between the two parallel wires, I am not sure whether it is greater when the strands are spread apart or greater when the strands are twisted together. This pint is not clue for me.

 

From my experiments so far, I have found that when I have separate wires, the "+" and "-" wires, I prefer the sound of the wires that are a few centimeters apart than the ones that are twisted together.

The result of twisting or braiding and shielding insulated conductors reduces inductance and increases capacitance.

I have made extensive comparisions of my NES-3003 MKII speaker cable with screen connected to the outboard ground pin and screen left not connected. 

I must say that the the diferences in sound are quite pronounced. 

Without screen connected bass is very pronounced, too much for my taste. Bass predominate and is out of proportions. Without screen connected sound is more free and open, the things sounds fuller with a bit longer decays. 

With the screen connected the bass is shorter and better controlled. Is more balanced now hovewer decays seems to be shorter. There is more clarity in the whole spectrum, notes are better separated with more black background. 

I not decided yet what variant I do preffer.

@faustuss 

The result of twisting or braiding and shielding insulated conductors reduces inductance and increases capacitance

Really?  Take a straight wire.  It has self-inductance caused by the magnetic flux created as current flows.  Now twist the wire into a spiral.  Keep twisting it until it becomes a coil in shape.  The self-inductance increases enormously because the magnetic flux now interacts with many loops of the wire.  Stick a bit of iron in the middle of the coil and you have built half a transformer, or linear power supply as it has been re-badged.

Complete the transformer by adding a second coil.  Do you really think it will work better if the separation is increased?

The electromagnetic force decreases as the inverse square of distance and governs both capacitance and inductance

@milimetr 

I think the cables you are listening to have high capacitance and high inductance compared with more physically open, more neutral cables on the market.

Bear in mind that your speakers (all speakers) have impedances which vary with frequency, sometimes quite dramatically.  Adding ideal cables with no capacitance or inductance, but different resistances, will skew the frequency response of the speakers.  Of course, no real-world cable is free from capacitance or inductance.

I wrote earlier that

Highly inductive and capacitive speaker cables will alter the tonal balance of your speakers but only you can judge if you think it is for the better or worse

I would suggest you beg, borrow or otherwise obtain a more conventional pair of cables just to compare ...

PS.  In many ways, the ideal cable is no cable and I think this partly explains the performance of well executed active speakers