Speaker Wire for Surrounds?

Freakbro · 28 Apr 2022 at 12:57

I'm moving house, so have to uproot my AV system which is a 5.1.4

The current speaker wire I'm using for the surrounds and atmos speakers in the ceiling is nothing particularly expensive and is going to be quite a PITA to reclaim, so I'll probably leave it in situ.

So any recommendations on something suitable to use?

I've read before that surrounds don't particularly need anything too fancy as they aren't carrying the detail that the fronts and centre do, don't know if that's true or not. But the new room it's going in is currently being batoned and boarded so I have the chance to run the wire behind the boards atm, which will be a lot neater than running it up the walls with trunking as it is now.

haaammit · 28 Apr 2022 at 13:38

I used QED Micro cable for my rear channels, works well enough

hornetstinger · 28 Apr 2022 at 14:19

KabelDirekt – Pure Copper Stereo Audio Speaker Wire & Cable – Made in Germany – 2x2.5mm² – 40m – (For Hifi Speakers and Surround Sound Systems, Pure Copper, with polarity markings)

Or what about this

Screenshot-20220428-141825 hosted at ImgBB

Image Screenshot-20220428-141825 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Freakbro · 28 Apr 2022 at 14:42

Thanks Guys, I'll take a look at both

hornetstinger said:
Or what about this

Screenshot-20220428-141825 hosted at ImgBB

Image Screenshot-20220428-141825 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

maybe not that one though...! :eek:

Freakbro · 28 Apr 2022 at 14:59

I'm just reading that with a 5.1 the rears want to be a foot or two higher than ear level, but with Atmos as well then it's best to keep them more at ear level, so as to get the separation from the ceiling speakers?

I'm using Kef Q150's as the rears and I was thinking about wall mounting them (angled downwards?) but now I'm wondering if it's best to keep them on stands?

hornetstinger · 28 Apr 2022 at 15:11

Correct.

Also if you're very close to surrounds then you may prefer more diffused speakers.

Freakbro · 28 Apr 2022 at 15:37

I'll keep the stands then, thanks for the advice

hornetstinger · 28 Apr 2022 at 15:42

I would recommend getting second, identical sub also.

Freakbro · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:49

hornetstinger said:
I would recommend getting second, identical sub also.

I'll add it to the list!

Spare cash is going into the move and converting this room atm.

Buffman · 5 May 2022 at 22:47

I went for this (similar to above) but went for 6mm2. Its chunky!

KabelDirekt – Pure Copper Stereo Audio Speaker Wire & Cable – Made in Germany – 2x6mm² – 15m – (For Hifi Speakers and Surround Sound Systems, Pure Copper, with polarity markings)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XDBRG3P/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_9V9AP03YNHPG07X9ZWPR?psc=1

I had some buried into conduit in my floor for the rear speakers.

I believe the thickness /gauge of the cable matters more as you get longer distances and also for higher end set ups. Mines not particualrly high end just thought I'd put best I reasonably could in.

hornetstinger · 5 May 2022 at 23:56

Totally pointless to go for 6mm2

JasonM · 9 May 2022 at 05:01

Buffman said:
I believe the thickness /gauge of the cable matters more as you get longer distances and also for higher end set ups. Mines not particualrly high end just thought I'd put best I reasonably could in.

I use DCSK (German made, maybe even same factory as KabelDirekt) 4mm² pure copper on my main speakers, was an improvement over 2.5mm² pure copper I used previous. Thicker speaker cable has less resistance.

BTW your front speakers probably need moving away from the wall more, but otherwise very nice setup.

theone8181 · 9 May 2022 at 06:09

JasonM said:
I use DCSK (German made, maybe even same factory as KabelDirekt) 4mm² pure copper on my main speakers, was an improvement over 2.5mm² pure copper I used previous. Thicker speaker cable has less resistance.

BTW your front speakers probably need moving away from the wall more, but otherwise very nice setup.

Sounds like classic placebo to me. I know there's less resistance, but can't imagine that would make a difference.

JasonM · 9 May 2022 at 07:48

theone8181 said:
can't imagine that would make a difference.

On a resolving system using a thicker / less resistance cable can make a difference.

When I changed from 2.5mm² to 4mm² I did it on one speaker only at first, when I changed balance from left / right the speaker with 4mm² sounded better. Then I changed the other speaker to 4mm² and left and right was matched up again.

Both my systems I can detect small changes, for example I can Op-Roll my DAC's and hear differences.

theone8181 · 9 May 2022 at 10:53

JasonM said:
On a resolving system using a thicker / less resistance cable can make a difference.

When I changed from 2.5mm² to 4mm² I did it on one speaker only at first, when I changed balance from left / right the speaker with 4mm² sounded better. Then I changed the other speaker to 4mm² and left and right was matched up again.

Both my systems I can detect small changes, for example I can Op-Roll my DAC's and hear differences.

You may need to translate for me. What's a resolving system, and what is oprolling?

slim01 · 18 May 2022 at 22:52

hornetstinger said:
Correct.

Also if you're very close to surrounds then you may prefer more diffused speakers.

What is a more diffused speaker? The q150 have the tangerine wave guide over the tweeter, same as on my kef q550, isn't that a diffuser?

hornetstinger · 18 May 2022 at 23:50

slim01 said:
What is a more diffused speaker? The q150 have the tangerine wave guide over the tweeter, same as on my kef q550, isn't that a diffuser?

No. Speakers like bipole dipole or tripole. They spread the sound out to the sides, sides and front, or reversed phase on one side, depending on design.

They work well if sofa is very close to side or surround speakers

Kef don't make bipole, just dipole. Not sure if they have dipole from your range.

slim01 · 18 May 2022 at 23:56

hornetstinger said:
No. Speakers like bipole dipole or tripole. They spread the sound out to the sides, sides and front, or reversed phase on one side, depending on design.

They work well if sofa is very close to side or surround speakers

Kef don't make bipole, just dipole. Not sure if they have dipole from your range.

Yeah well I'm just using kef eggs and q compact as rears in 7.1 atm. In my opinion rears and sides hardly matter much if they don't match, more l, r and c. The compact should sound diff to the eggs but they don't... Waste of money really (the eggs can be had for like £45 a pair online and are great rears, small easy to place etc).

That's Awsome though sounds like what I need for sure. Will check out see if there's any bipole kefs or just get some monitor audio /b&w.
But yeah mine are literally right next to the sofa.... Not great

hornetstinger · 18 May 2022 at 23:59

I do like the kef 206ds I'd buy them if they were available in bipole.

They're big

slim01 said:
Yeah well I'm just using kef eggs and q compact as rears in 7.1 atm. In my opinion rears and sides hardly matter much if they don't match, more l, r and c. The compact should sound diff to the eggs but they don't... Waste of money really (the eggs can be had for like £45 a pair online and are great rears, small easy to place etc).

That's Awsome though sounds like what I need for sure. Will check out see if there's any bipole kefs or just get some monitor audio /b&w.
But yeah mine are literally right next to the sofa.... Not great

Firestar_3x · 22 May 2022 at 13:11

Was running QED micro, but for the longer runs the conductor isn't really thick enough.

Now running Monoprice 12AWG, construction quality wise its great and comes in long lengths 50 to 1000ft drums, no complaints at all.