speaker wire - does type of speaker wire make a difference?

[AV-Man]

I have found that thicker wire is better that is ran the shortest distance. I use 10 gauge wire for my B&W's. I hear minor minute differences in sound, but then again there could be some physiological bias there because you know the type and quality of wire you used.

Consider this: Set your speakers up using lamp cord wire and demo them. Set your speakers up using higher end cabling and re-demo them to the same individual or group of people. In this focus group like setting, you can use the opinions of others to gather a preference for yourself and a reason to socialize over a beer.

 

[sebrof]

Using an analogy to water, once the pipe is big enough to allow the water to flow freely, a larger pipe isn't going to make the water flow any better.

Never mix electrical current with water, it's very dangerous.

 

[SoCal Sam]

What a relief. A speaker wire thread with no "listen for yourself" or "you've never heard music before" or "science be damned" comments...until now.

 

[allsmith]

My 2 cents, just be aware that some cheeper wire might be thicker but NOT made of copper but copper coated aluminum.

Good tip! That might be why the 100 ft roll of 16 guage i just bought was dirt cheap! I will have to get out a razor blade and mag glass and do some scraping and see! Although they do say electrons flow on the outside of a strand of wire,so it might still be ok, but yeah copper is big bucks!

 

[fpitas]

Good tip! That might be why the 100 ft roll of 16 guage i just bought was dirt cheap! I will have to get out a razor blade and mag glass and do some scraping and see! Although they do say electrons flow on the outside of a strand of wire,so it might still be ok, but yeah copper is big bucks!

If you want to use that wire anyway, you can double it up like this guy did:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=472885

 

[fpitas]

Speaker wire does have inductance and capacitance like any cable, and that can affect the amplifier. One way to be safe is to terminate the wires like Rod Elliott shows in this article:

http://sound.westhost.com/cable-z.htm

A termination like this is especially important if you live in or near crowded areas with lots of RF sources (cell phone towers, radio or TV stations etc.). The RF can get on the wires (they act like antennas) and upset the amplifier. The termination will help dissipate the RF energy.

 

[jrtrent]

I am going to connect a pair of Dahlquist DQ 10s this weekend to my Yamaha CR 2020 receiver and wonder what type and size of speaker wire would be best . . .

The owner's manual for your speaker says that 18 gauge lampcord (zipcord) is adequate for runs up to 25 or 30 feet, and to use 16 gauge for distances beyond that. However, it also says it is preferable to use the heavier, 16 gauge wire even for short runs. You should be able to find 16 gauge lampcord, or the similar wire specifically packaged as speaker wire, at most hardware stores or the electronics section of a department store.

I would recommend this type of wire over most of the specialty wire marketed by some hi-fi companies. Your receiver uses simple spring clips to attach the wire, and standard lampcord/zipcord/speaker wire is reasonably thin, light, and flexible for its gauge, making it easier to attach and more likely to stay in place than some of the fancy wires with their thicker, heavier, stiffer casings.

I'm of the opinion that standard, inexpensive, generic speaker wire or lampcord, of the gauge recommended by your speaker manufacturer, is the best choice. Some in the industry, such as Roger Russel and Frank Van Alstine, have noted that some of the expensive wire designs have abnormal electrical properties that can cause instability in amplifiers, and that it is this unstable condition that causes differences in output (often boosting the treble region) that some perceive as an improvement.

If you have a local dealer experienced with your speakers, he may have some safe suggestions for you to audition, but I'd start with the simple, inexpensive lampcord/zipcord as recommended in your owner's manual and get accustomed to the sound of that before looking at more expensive alternatives.

 

[MikeT.]

IMO 16 gauge Zip Cord from the local hardware to 15' and 14 gauge for longer runs will do a fine job. I also like Bluejeans Cables. Get the Terminated Ones, Proper termination is very important, and they do a better job than most. They are very good quality, Higher gauge too, and reasonably priced.

+1 on the Blue Jeans cable. Really well manufactured and solid terminals, very even response.

 

[Livin4]

Please! This is getting ridiculous. This dead horse has been beaten so many times there's nothing left to beat. AVS Forum had to ban these threads. Maybe the same should be done here.

Never mix electrical current with water, it's very dangerous.

+1 :yes:

And if possible, non-oxidized is best.


Really though, I use 14 ga OFC speaker wire from Parts Express. I have found that works well with what I have.

 

[awise1961]

Oh...I long for the good old days when all we had to debate is whether the Earth is round, or flat.
Perhaps there is a reincarnation of Columbus that could help put this one to rest.

Al. Wise

 

[Wigwam Jones]

With all due respect, it seems like a fairly innocuous question. Of course regulars here will have gone through a few speaker wire threads, but I don't see the need for the InstaAttitude.

Just tell the guy that doing a search will offer some insight as to opinions on speaker wire, pro and con.

That's what I said. I even couched it in respectful terms.

 

[BadassBob]

Whats your budget? Do you want basic speaker wire, or something a little more exquisite?

 

[pglbook]

Thanks for all of your replies. I had no idea, when I submitted the original post, that I would open up such a Pandora's box of opinions and emotions.

The reason I posted was just to ensure that I bought the proper gauge and type of speaker wire to connect a pair of recently-acquired Dahlquist DQ 10 speakers to my Yamaha CR 2020 receiver.

My budget is modest so I am not looking to spend a lot of money on a high end cable. I just wanted to see if there is a difference in speaker wire and to make sure I got a good quality speaker wire and the right gauge. The speakers will be located w/in 10 feet of my receiver.

Thanks again to all who responded and shared your thoughts. I appreciate it.


Peter

 

[SoCal Sam]

Oh...I long for the good old days when all we had to debate is whether the Earth is round, or flat.
Perhaps there is a reincarnation of Columbus that could help put this one to rest.

Al. Wise

I vote for flat because I cannot see beyond the horizon and I do not trust what science tells me. My senses are the definition of reality and nothing a white coated lab rat can tell me will make any difference. I also subscribe to the theory that man never landed on the moon and that the TV pictures were produced "Capricorn One" style in a TV studio.

Rant over. There is a place for science at the table when there is no subjective consensus. Cable wire material, construction, and gauge will change the sound in a way that is predictable and measurable. Cable wire will change the sound much like caps and resistors in a crossover. All other claims are meant to close a sale and make you spend boutique money. If the 100 dollar a foot cable suits your preference, then buy it. 12 gauge Monster cable is fine for me.

 

[BadassBob]

Thanks for all of your replies. I had no idea, when I submitted the original post, that I would open up such a Pandora's box of opinions and emotions.

The reason I posted was just to ensure that I bought the proper gauge and type of speaker wire to connect a pair of recently-acquired Dahlquist DQ 10 speakers to my Yamaha CR 2020 receiver.

My budget is modest so I am not looking to spend a lot of money on a high end cable. I just wanted to see if there is a difference in speaker wire and to make sure I got a good quality speaker wire and the right gauge. The speakers will be located w/in 10 feet of my receiver.

Thanks again to all who responded and shared your thoughts. I appreciate it.


Peter

In that case, Id look into a roll of 12AWG speaker wire from Parts Express or Monoprice. :yes:

 

[sealy]

So what you're saying is "once the wire(pipe) is big enough to allow the electrons(water) to flow freely, a larger wire(pipe) isn't going to make the electrons(water) flow any better".

You respectfully disagreed with an analogy that your own statement mirrors...

You misread my statement. The narrowing of the pipe is similar to narrowing the gauge of the wire. Pressure and electrical resistance increase concomitantly. With a larger pipe and wire, pressure eases and both s flow freely. With water, a larger pipe may or may not bring any substantive benefits, but as far as the flow of electrical current, at least where amps and speakers are concerned, there is a palpable difference.

 

[sealy]

I vote for flat because I cannot see beyond the horizon and I do not trust what science tells me. My senses are the definition of reality and nothing a white coated lab rat can tell me will make any difference. I also subscribe to the theory that man never landed on the moon and that the TV pictures were produced "Capricorn One" style in a TV studio.

Rant over. There is a place for science at the table when there is no subjective consensus. Cable wire material, construction, and gauge will change the sound in a way that is predictable and measurable. Cable wire will change the sound much like caps and resistors in a crossover. All other claims are meant to close a sale and make you spend boutique money. If the 100 dollar a foot cable suits your preference, then buy it. 12 gauge Monster cable is fine for me.

I agree entirely. Except in my case, it's 14 gauge Monster Cable.

 

[Zonker92]

 

[sealy]

LOL!! Read the same stats. Like your signature. Lincoln also said, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." Unless it's a large pipe, of course.

 

[bowtie427ss]

Here's a chart that actually contains some useful and objective data courtesy of Peavey Electronics.