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Speaker Cable Lengths - W/ Monos

I'm considering having the manufacturer of my 10 foot cables cut the cables in half and re-terminate them for use with my Monoblocks in a Bi-wire configuration. They are very expensive cables, however, and I'd hate to cut myself short on cable (while also ruining their resale). At the same time, I'd hate to double up the longer length due to costs if I can help it.

My short term listening room will work easily with 4 1/2 to 5 foot cables, however, I'm not sure about a future room I'm planning.

What are typical cable lengths for those of you running monos out there? Is five feet usually enough? How far away from my speakers should my 150 lb. monos be?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
audiopman
panzercat
41 posts
 
I think you should have the 5 way binding posts of your amps permanently welded directly to the binding posts on your speakers.

Advantages: Shortest length of wire - 0, and the old saying "The best wire is no wire", also you can sell your speaker cables at their current length.

Disadvantages: lose resale value on amps and speakers. Probably will result in an extremely heavy speaker/amp assempbly and make it hard to move around.

Just Kidding.
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
I am using 4' bi-wire cables and this seems to be a comfortable length for my setup. God bless.
caesar
7 posts
 
I invite you all to take a look to the thread "Silver vs. Copper, Effect of length" started on 3-21-01: there is a very accurate followup that explains why SHORT interconnects are to be preferred to LONG ones.
Now: who's right?
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Like Welfed, I use 4' speaker cables with my monoblocks, and find that a comfortable length as well.
eldon_mapleshade
16 posts
 
I'd suggest proceeding with caution, and if possible listen and compare before doing something irreversable to your cables.

I'm certainly no expert, but it seems that each model/brand of cables has it's own unique characteristics. Just because Joe Blow's Kimber, AQs, Cardas, whatever sound good in 5 ft. runs doesn't mean your TARAs will. For example: we don't make our Golden Helix cables shorter than 8 ft. because their good sound is greatly degraded in shorter lengths. But, I'm pretty sure this isn't true for all cables. Hope this is helpful input.
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