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Difference between speaker wire and speaker cable?

BadassBob

BadassBob

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What is the difference if one calls it wire or cable? Is it wire while its still on the spool, then cable after its cut to length? Is it wire if there are no terminations, and cable if you add bananas or spades? Discuss.
 
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A cable is made up of many individual wires.

A single strand = a wire.

Multiple strands running together = cable.


There's usually no difference when it comes to speaker cables. Excpet for the people who use single-fillament wires. But they are a small minority.
 
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Lazarus Short said:
24 AWG! I think there are amps out there which could melt that!!
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I've heard very good sound from a system using 30 wpc tube amp driving average-effeciency speakers using single strands of solid core 24 g wire in 8' runs.

Sounded fantastic and zero reliability issues.
 
Rilands said:
Cable sound better.:D
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I seriously doubt it, most people prefer stereo and even hooked up to a couple of small guage wires will still sound better than just a single channel as you've suggested.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
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A cable has connector's at the end like a banana plug or spade terminal's. Wire is just bare wire, once you add the connector it is then classified as a cable.
 
Brett a said:
A cable is made up of many individual wires.

A single strand = a wire.

Multiple strands running together = cable.


There's usually no difference when it comes to speaker cables. Excpet for the people who use single-fillament wires. But they are a small minority.
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Very close, but to add the key (and maybe assumed) distinction.

The distinction is that a cable contains two or more conductors insulated from each other whereas a wire is a single conductor, regardless if it contains one strand or many strands not insulated from each other.
 
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whoaru99 said:
Very close, but to add the key (and maybe assumed) distinction.

The distinction is that a cable contains two or more conductors insulated from each other whereas a wire is a single conductor, regardless if it contains one strand or many strands not insulated from each other.
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If we look at the definitions offered by Websters, it looks like very few of us actually use cables. Because, as you said, in electrical applications, a cable requires that each wire be separately insulated.

Still, there's no way we're going to change the vernacular of this hobby. I think I still use speaker cables even though they are actually wires. (Although if i used them to pull my car out of the ditch, then I could call them cables)
Wire:
  • A usually pliable metallic strand or rod made in many lengths and diameters, sometimes clad and often electrically insulated, used chiefly for structural support or to conduct electricity.
  • A group of wire strands bundled or twisted together as a functional unit; cable
.


Cable:
1.
a. A strong, large-diameter, heavy steel or fiber rope.
b. Something that resembles such steel or fiber rope.

2. Electricity
A bound or sheathed group of mutually insulated conductors.

3. Nautical
a. A heavy rope or chain for mooring or anchoring a ship.
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