2. cables
  3. 1136748013

When is unequal, equal?

Due to an awkward room configuration,the speaker placement in relation to the amps must lay out as follows: Speaker #1 is approximately 6' from the power source, and Speaker # 2 is spaced at 14" away. My question is as follows. If I choose to run unequal lengths of cable will this create any sonic problems, or will I be safe?... The ideal of having so much extra unused cable spooled up around the system is rather unsightly.
Please advise, and thanks.
mang53
pabelson
344 posts
 
Porziob is correct. Whether you shorten one of them or not is a matter of convenience and visual aesthetics.
mang53 OP
83 posts
 
Sweet, then the question is moot. I can in fact run different lengths without loss of information. Thanks
mfkeleher
146 posts
 
Some cables like OCOS, for instance, impose no penalty for unequal lengths. I think the same is true for Silverline. See if your dealer offers any for a home audition.
honest1
586 posts
 
I wouldn't be so sure of the speed of light thing. While it is true, it is not the speed of the electricity traveling through the wires that is a concern, but the resistance, capacitance, and inductance, which are functions of length.
gs5556
1,218 posts
 
A difference of 8 feet will not make an audible difference. This is easily shown with the math, but without the boring details:

Assuming the speakers have a 90 dB/2.83V-m sensitivity at an 8-ohm nominal impedance (1 watt) and that the speaker cables are 14 ft and 6 ft of #12 copper, the voltage drop to the furthest speaker will result in -0.035 dB. If you're 8-feet away from the speakers, you can compensate for this by moving that speaker a quarter of an inch forward. I didn't take capacitance and inductance into account - I don't think it will make a difference, but I could be proven wrong.
More to discover