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

[dnewma04]

robgmn,

Let's say that zip cord had the following properties for LCR and these are going to be purely made up:

C: 10 pF
L: 0.2 μH
R: .01 Ω

And then I measure another brand of zip cord that has half of the capacitance higher inductance and less resistance:

C: 5 pF
L: 0.3 μH
R: .008 Ω

And then I measure a highend cable that is the same resistance and capacitance but is wound with a technique that reduces L.

C: 10 pF
L: 0.1 μH
R: .01 Ω


All three of these examples alter the signal. Which one is better? Is zip cord the closest to a straight line delivery?

Alternatively, let's say that you have an overdamped speaker and you want to reduce the damping, so you intentionally use lower gauge wire to increase series resistance with the knowledge that you can measurably, and predictably improve performance of the speakers? Would that be a poor approach in your mind, better suited to be handled by an EQ?

I think I'm largely in the camp of cable differences being insignificant in terms of overall magnitude of change but I don't understand the idea of zip cord being the ideal conductor and anything that deviates from zip cord measurements are by default, less accurate.

 

[sgleich]

I have been debating whether to bi-wire my B&W 602's with coat hangers...

Seriously, I do think there is a difference but can only say that I have heard it between cheap speaker wire and the thick superflex monstercable I have had for 20 years.

I do want to bi-wire my B&W's just because I can and was thinking about the Zebra Bi-Wire. It is not all that expensive for 6-7 ft runs, seems to be terminated nicely and will look cool. Anyone with experience with this product? I figured I'd ask here rather than starting another thread.

 

[robgmn]

robgmn,

Let's say that zip cord had the following properties for LCR and these are going to be purely made up:

All three of these examples alter the signal. Which one is better? Is zip cord the closest to a straight line delivery?

Alternatively, let's say that you have an overdamped speaker and you want to reduce the damping, so you intentionally use lower gauge wire to increase series resistance with the knowledge that you can measurably, and predictably improve performance of the speakers? Would that be a poor approach in your mind, better suited to be handled by an EQ?

I think I'm largely in the camp of cable differences being insignificant in terms of overall magnitude of change but I don't understand the idea of zip cord being the ideal conductor and anything that deviates from zip cord measurements are by default, less accurate.

If the zip cord is closer to moving an unaltered signal (basically a zero resistance wire), then it is the best from an engineering point of view.
As said, a zip cord of sufficient gauge and quality IS close to that ideal conductor. Make the same wire out of silver or gold and it may be even better, but it's debatable whether there would be a sonic difference.

If there is a problem with the speaker, then shouldn't it be fixed at the speaker, not by the cable delivering the signal to the speaker?
The designer shouldn't assume that a buyer will buy the correct cable to fix the problem with the speaker.
That's just proper engineering...


That point notwithstanding, using a cable versus an EQ to tailor the sound of your speaker is a subjective choice.
Some people swear EQ, tone control, etc. degrades the sound too much ('cuz they're never used in recording studios, and certainly not between my TT and my amp, don'tcha know) and will only use cables to get the sound they want.

Other people will use EQ and accept the potential drawbacks (signal degredation of multiple types) over the cost and hassle (almost infinite possible combinations of cables) of esoteric cables.
They may even say there ARE no potential drawbacks (really, who CARES if the center frequency or Q are not where they need to be or if distortion is added?).


Some people like beer, some people like whiskey, some like wine.
Who's "right"?

 

[Ken Boyd]

If the zip cord is closer to moving an unaltered signal (basically a zero resistance wire), then it is the best from an engineering point of view.
As said, a zip cord of sufficient gauge and quality IS close to that ideal conductor. Make the same wire out of silver or gold and it may be even better, but it's debatable whether there would be a sonic difference.

If there is a problem with the speaker, then shouldn't it be fixed at the speaker, not by the cable delivering the signal to the speaker?
The designer shouldn't assume that a buyer will buy the correct cable to fix the problem with the speaker.
That's just proper engineering...


That point notwithstanding, using a cable versus an EQ to tailor the sound of your speaker is a subjective choice.
Some people swear EQ, tone control, etc. degrades the sound too much ('cuz they're never used in recording studios, and certainly not between my TT and my amp, don'tcha know) and will only use cables to get the sound they want.

ARe you sure about that!

Silver has less resistance than Copper or Gold and electrons will move quicker thru silver. And Gold has a higher resistance than either Copper or Silver. So the statement that Silver and Gold might be better just blows your whole arguement about the zip cord or lamp cord being best, if you then state gold or silver might be better. There is a large market for hi end speaker and interconnect cables and many professional audio reveiws have made reveiws on them, I would have a hard time beleiving that they don't know what they are talking about. But to most consumers on most lower end, or mid fi gear, I would think even phone wire would do the job!

For the most part gold is only used for connections, as gold doesn't oxidize, so therefore you don't have the assoiated problems due to a poor connection due to corrosion or oxidation. But for use as a speaker wire its not advised. Silver on the other hand has a lot of traits that is highly desireable, other than cost, and the fact that silver like copper will tarnish and end up having problems at the connections, that is why gold connectors are best suited.

 

[robgmn]

ARe you sure about that!

Silver has less resistance than Copper or Gold and electrons will move quicker thru silver. And Gold has a higher resistance than either Copper or Silver. So the statement that Silver and Gold might be better just blows your whole arguement about the zip cord or lamp cord being best, if you then state gold or silver might be better. There is a large market for hi end speaker and interconnect cables and many professional audio reveiws have made reveiws on them, I would have a hard time beleiving that they don't know what they are talking about. But to most consumers on most lower end, or mid fi gear, I would think even phone wire would do the job!

For the most part gold is only used for connections, as gold doesn't oxidize, so therefore you don't have the assoiated problems due to a poor connection due to corrosion or oxidation. But for use as a speaker wire its not advised. Silver on the other hand has a lot of traits that is highly desireable, other than cost, and the fact that silver like copper will tarnish and end up having problems at the connections, that is why gold connectors are best suited.

I read your post three times, but cannot tell if you were trying to make a statement or not.
It's like political-speak (throwing a lot of info. without saying anything).
What was your point?

 

[JimPA]

I read your post three times, but cannot tell if you were trying to make a statement or not.
It's like political-speak (throwing a lot of info. without saying anything).
What was your point?

I would not consider throwing a lot of info as without saying anything.

I am only interested in the facts.

 

[sealy]

Yes, the makers of silver speaker cable will be glad to extoll the virtues of silver over copper, at the same time as they are removing copious amounts of money from your wallet.

 

[RichPA]

So dies another speaker cable thread.