Speaker Cabling.

khrall

khrall

khrall

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I'm wanting to run cabling for my rears whilst laying some new flooring in the next couple of weeks.

I'll be running from a banana plug wall socket to another socket, about a 3 - 4 meter run, under laminate within channels in the 6mm underlay.

My questions:
What type of cabling should I be looking at?
2.5mm² enough?
Any preferred manufacturers or non-branded suffice?
 
2.5mm is plenty unless you're going to be giving your rear speakers over 1000W rms, if you are then go for 4mm²

stranded is good as it's more flexible, I can't recommend any brands as I just use cut up outdoor mains cable which is 2.5mm² and works fine. :)
 
Cambridge audio does some cheap cabling if you're intrested but you may want to look at some DIY guides i know one of them just uses high quality satellite cable.
 
In reality, 1.5mm cabling will be more than adequate for this. It's not a long run and the power to rear channels is typically low, especially if they are satellites/used in conjunction with subwoofer. You could use this:

http://www.studiospares.com/Cable-Speaker-/Speaker-Cable-2X15mm/invt/548310

Though I haven't used it, it might have sharp strands or be a bit inflexible, shouldn't be though. Alternatively, this should be super flexy, the signal cables I have by this manufacturer are:

http://www.studiospares.com/Cable-Speaker-/Sommer-Meridian-Blk-15Sqmm-Sp215-68mm-Dia/invt/546110

Far more costly though and I guess you wouldn't be moving it much :)

[hopefully not competitor?]
 
Last edited:
^ Not a competitor AFAIK, they've been mentioned before. :)
markop2003 said:
Cambridge audio does some cheap cabling if you're intrested but you may want to look at some DIY guides i know one of them just uses high quality satellite cable.
Click to expand...

satellite cable as in co-ax? That would make pretty poor speaker cable IMO.
 
Thanks for your input all, having now done some proper research, instead of last nights "had a drink-must find good cable panic browsing as finally have flooring".

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_wire

Maximum wire lengths for two conductor copper wire[3]

Wire size 2 Ω load 4 Ω load 6 Ω load 8 Ω load
22 AWG (0.326 mm²) 3 ft (0.9 m) 6 ft (1.8 m) 9 ft (2.7 m) 12 ft (3.6 m)
20 AWG (0.518 mm²) 5 ft (1.5 m) 10 ft (3 m) 15 ft (4.5 m) 20 ft (6 m)
18 AWG (0.823 mm²) 8 ft (2.4 m) 16 ft (4.9 m) 24 ft (7.3 m) 32 ft (9.7 m)
16 AWG (1.31 mm²) 12 ft (3.6 m) 24 ft (7.3 m) 36 ft (11 m) 48 ft (15 m)
14 AWG (2.08 mm²) 20 ft (6.1 m) 40 ft (12 m) 60 ft (18 m)* 80 ft (24 m)*
12 AWG (3.31 mm²) 30 ft (9.1 m) 60 ft (18 m)* 90 ft (27 m)* 120 ft (36 m)*
10 AWG (5.26 mm²) 50 ft (15 m) 100 ft (30 m)* 150 ft (46 m)* 200 ft (61 m)*

* While in theory heavier wire can have longer runs, recommended household audio lengths should not exceed 50 feet (15 m).[3]
Click to expand...

So for a 5meter run (should be my max) and with 4Ω being the lowest typical resistance for speakers, I'll need a min of 1mm².

So my main limiting factor is the 6mm heigh of the underlay, looks cheaper than I initially though. Especially having found some reasonably priced speaker terminals at b&q http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9686727&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=philex&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1250948839986&isSearch=true
 
I've tried Cat5 speaker cable and I'm not keen really, it doesn't like a lot of current due to the low amount of CSA.

For low power speakers then it has it uses tho...
 
I was in a need of some cabling in a hurry last week so just used B&Q mains cable, the orange stuff, worked a treat, not sure if its worth replacing to be honest.
 
Minstadave said:
I was in a need of some cabling in a hurry last week so just used B&Q mains cable, the orange stuff, worked a treat, not sure if its worth replacing to be honest.
Click to expand...
speaker cable and mains cable are pretty much the same thing - they're both designed for AC power, but speakers normally use a lower voltage... As long as your speakers aren't huge 1000W+ RMS beasts then mains cable will be fine. :)
 
MikeHunt79 said:
^ Not a competitor AFAIK, they've been mentioned before. :)


satellite cable as in co-ax? That would make pretty poor speaker cable IMO.
Click to expand...

Well it's not the standard stuff it's the premium high quality cable. It won't be record breaking but apparently that with some DIY shielding works pretty well.
 
There is some basis to using coax cabling. When used correctly it lowers capacitance. Not worth the hassle here (or anywhere I can realistically think of!), I posted computer simulations of the effects of typical cable capacitances in another thread. The effects of even what is regarded as very poor cable were absolutely miniscule and well below the threshold of audibility. CAT5 cabling is also intended to lower capacitance, so again my advice would be don't bother!

The cable I linked is a good buy, if postage is a killer then mains flex as mentioned will be fine :)
 
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