I've been using 14 gauge UP-OCC solid core copper in Teflon for years. Recently, I've been using loose-sleeved 18 gauge solid core silver and find it faster and cleaner with a more neutral sound.
Solid copper or stranded copper for speaker cables? What is your choice and why?
I had old copper speaker cable made by Audioquest (don't know the model). The cable contains only two solid copper wires, one is thicker than the other. As I recalled, Audioquest claimed back then that thicker wire primarily carries lower frequency signal and the thinner wire is responsible for the rest. I actually have not seen this type of design nowadays, BUT when listening and comparing it with the stranded wire (either 12 or 10 gauge) cable, I found the dynamic range is greater, and the bass is tighter and has more weight. What do you think?
Showing 3 responses by noromance
It’s long been an audiophile consideration that stranded wires (in the same sheath) caused smearing by the interference of the multititude of surface effect interactions. I’ve always felt the simpler the cable, the cleaner the sound. It has always shown itself to be true for me from my listening tests over the years. |
@elliottbnewcombjr I know what CAT cables are—I've overseen a number of office network and server room builds. Actually tried CAT6 as speaker cable for a while and dumped it for singlecore UP-OCC. |