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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
vinylshadow
426 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.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
How?  Try it. But since you asked...Audioquest Rocket 33’s are unbelievably great for the price and outperform many overpriced cables.  I’ve owned them...the overpriced stuff.  There is a place for some expensive cables, but for most Audiophiles Audioquest is more than good... they are a true value!!
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
553 posts
 
Mr. vinylshadow

For 8' long and DF of 100 you need a #8 AWG cable.
But why 8' if you have two monoblocks? Place them as close as possible to the speakers and run the distance between the pre and the  monoblocks with XLR. 
However, if you stick to the 8' arrangement, I would advise you to find some #8 AWG cable on eBay, pair it (by soldering) with 8 Nakamichi banana plugs: 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-Nakamichi-24k-Gold-Plated-Audio-BFA-Banana-Speaker-Plug-Screw-Cable-Wire...
It will sound better than any cable you may buy...
b4icu's avatar
b4icu OP
553 posts
 
Mr. Dave_b2

The brend is not significant. The cable’s electric characteristics ARE!
No cable brend, as respected as they are, do not propose you what you need, by the requirements of your gear.
Getting and "Audioquest Rocket 33", or any other is a dumm shot in the dark. You may repeat that costly try again and again, with no guarantee to hit the right cable! but it will be be an expensive and frustrating process.

tweak1
3,563 posts
 
OP, go to Wire World website and look at the Series 8 specs. It has numerous upgrades to make it a great cable, then compare to any other cable company's specs

hth
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