• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Difference between speaker wire and speaker cable?

More words for the same stuff.

Wire
Cable
Filament
What's next?

As long as it gets the job done the way I want, I'll just either call it speaker wire, speaker cable, speaker filament, etc. Maybe I'll call it speaker jumpropes. :D
 
All good points but in reality I think it is just how the manufacturer names it. You will find wire that is "cable" and cable that is called "wire".

So just dont get wrapped up in the terminology or you will get led astray.

I like JDWKs response "about $500". haha, thats about the closest :)
 
Yeah...about $500!

That's a good one.

But if you get $500 cables for much cheaper than $500, say $100, or less, would they then become wire? Or would they still be cables?

---

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

Nautical: anchoring.
Anchor chain, for ships anchors, is anchor 'chain', there is 'no other word for it', and has nothing to do with wire or cable, except for the small cable which holds the pin to the anchor stopper so you don't lose it, causing the pin to become gear adrift.
 
Last edited:
I always called it speaker wire, but now that I am older and have a somewhat respectable system or two, I am going to start refering to them as "Speaker Cables." :D
 
RT Fan said:
I always called it speaker wire, but now that I am older and have a somewhat respectable system or two, I am going to start refering to them as "Speaker Cables." :D
Click to expand...

It's funny that you mentioned that because I have always called them speaker wires myself up to about 5 years ago, then I started calling them cables, which I have absolutely no idea why. Multiple strands of wire making a cable I guess vice a single wire, no matter what guage, so I guess the guy who mentioned this above just may be correct. :thmbsp:

In any event...get an excellent pair that matches your stereo system and you will be well rewarded.
 
Last edited:
Brett a said:
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)
Click to expand...

I would say that most of use do use cables because a cable is a grouping of insulated wires. The wires within the cable may consist of either single conductor or multiple conductors uninsulated from each other.

Maybe we're saying the same thing and I just don't realize it?

attachment.php


attachment.php
 
Last edited:
Brett a said:
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.
Click to expand...
By the definition of 'cable' you have posted, what usually goes to one channel of speaker is a cable consisting of a pair of insulated stranded wire conductors, each of which could also be called a cable, according to your posted definition of 'wire'. What a useful thread this is! :D I call it 'wire'. I have also used it as rope.
 
whoaru99 said:
I would say that most of use do use cables because a cable is a grouping of insulated wires. The wires within the cable may consist of either single conductor or multiple conductors uninsulated from each other.

Maybe we're saying the same thing and I just don't realize it?

attachment.php


attachment.php
Click to expand...

Excellent!
 
Brett a said:
(Although if i used them to pull my car out of the ditch, then I could call them cables)
Click to expand...

I don't know. Given the make of your car you could probably pull it out of a ditch with the aforementioned 24ga magnet wire. :D
 
One thing is for certain: both wires and cables are made from conductive metals. Wooden broomsticks and rubber garden hoses just do NOT work! :no:
 
BadassBob said:
Thats what I use...24AWG magnet wire on my SET :)
Click to expand...

We used to call that "Bell Wire" because it was used to hook up doorbells. That was back when yo could get those big round batteries with the screw terminals on the top and do all kinds of experiments. The single strand is so easy to connect to a screw terminal too. I thing that the older speakers with plain brass screws on the back to connect the speakers to were meant for that wire.
I am guessing that the cable/wire question is like the rope/line question for boaters. Simple answer for that one is that it is a rope until you take it aboard a vessel. Then it is a line forever. The one exception is when it is "ground tackle":D
 
As long as the cable uses 9N copper you are okay....

Why then do I always see if the expensive cable at the store is on sale anytime I am there?????
 
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.
Click to expand...

How would you designate Litz wire? :D

My buddy, Bud Purvine (O'Netics) uses it for all his interconnects, as well as the speaker cables on his bi-amped system. Sounds pretty nice, but it sure is expensive stuff.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Why did I know that was coming? :)

It may depend on how it's used - in a single conductor configuration like hookup wire or in a cable configuration like this stuff I have here:

attachment.php
 
Last edited:
bluesky said:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~snip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---

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

Nautical: anchoring.
Anchor chain, for ships anchors, is anchor 'chain', there is 'no other word for it', and has nothing to do with wire or cable, except for the small cable which holds the pin to the anchor stopper so you don't lose it, causing the pin to become gear adrift.
Click to expand...

Here's another definition to further the enlightenment of all:

rode    /roʊd/ Show Spelled[rohd]
noun (in New England and E Canada)
a rope by which a boat is anchored.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin:
1625–35; origin uncertain
Click to expand...

I might add that a ship "slips it's cable" when it prepares to get underway.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Just Around the Corner

Bigerik said:
What you counting down to, Doug?
Click to expand...
Christmas, of course! It's time for all good boys and girls to write Santa for more of that stuff that connects the little boxes to the big boxes.

Whether you call it wire or cable, happy listening!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom