Quality of speaker wire?

[sykes of christ]

I opened up my cab, and looked at the wiring, it looks like super cheap radio shack wire. Does this effect the efficiency?

[ulrich]

Nope. It's too short, so light gauge doesn't matter.
It's inside the cab, so appearance, durability, flexibility, neat coiling... don't matter.

[sykes of christ]

So a higher quality wire would make no difference?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by sykes of christ

So a higher quality wire would make no difference?

There's no such thing as higher quality. Copper is copper. A heavier gauge might offer a very slight improvement in current delivery, but only if the existing wire is too small to begin with. If the existing wire is adequate heavier wire won't make any difference.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

There's no such thing as higher quality. Copper is copper. A heavier gauge might offer a very slight improvement in current delivery, but only if the existing wire is too small to begin with. If the existing wire is adequate heavier wire won't make any difference.

I think that by "higher quality" me means heavier gauge...

I'd leave the cab be. Unless it's a painfully cheap piece of equipment that needs to be fixed...

[R. Laevinus]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

There's no such thing as higher quality. Copper is copper. A heavier gauge might offer a very slight improvement in current delivery, but only if the existing wire is too small to begin with. If the existing wire is adequate heavier wire won't make any difference.

NOOOOOOOO!!!! HE NEEDS THIS:

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2008/11/...st-audiophile/












...

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I think that by "higher quality" me means heavier gauge...

..

Maybe, but the biggest, most successful rip-off in the world, with the possible exception of printer ink cartridges, is overpriced 'higher quality' wire that makes claims that are simply hogwash.

[knigel]

Whoa whoa whoa--what's the deal with ink cartridges? I've never heard anything about it (although, the last time I needed them, it was actually cheaper to buy a whole new printer).

[sykes of christ]

So a heavier gauge may be an unnecessary option?

[PhiDeck]

Originally Posted by sykes of christ

So a higher quality wire would make no difference?

Actually, it does. The better the insulation around the wire, the faster the velocity of propagation of the electro-magnetic wave. So your sound will reach the speaker sooner via Teflon insulated wire than via PVC insulated wire. Depending on the length of wire involved, the difference could range from hundreds of picoseconds to one or two nanoseconds.

However, if you are only interested in audible differences, there will be none.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by sykes of christ

So a heavier gauge may be an unnecessary option?

Probably. Eighteen gauge is sufficient for internal wiring.

The better the insulation around the wire, the faster the velocity of propagation of the electro-magnetic wave. So your sound will reach the speaker sooner via Teflon insulated wire than via PVC insulated wire. Depending on the length of wire involved, the difference could range from hundreds of picoseconds to one or two nanoseconds.

You work at Best Buy? Sounds like their pitch.
The biggest rip-off today is HDMI cables. If you believe the BS you can pay more for the cable than for the DVD player you're hooking it up to, if not the TV.
What's amusing is that the digital signal transmission that HDMI carries is immune to noise and interference, so the wire requirement is no more demanding than telephone hook up wire. But Joe Average doesn't know that.

[Bassamatic]

The reason the wire looks dinky - it is for internal wiring, so it doesn't have the heavy insulation to withstand rough handling that you are used to seeing. The copper conductor is probably the same size.

[KramerBassFan]

I usually just use a decent gauge of teflon covered wire, but thats just me liking teflon......

[Chrisk-K]

I bought a $9,000 stereo system in 1990. I also paid additional $300 for a pair of ultra high quality speaker cables recommended by the store. When I acquired more audio knowledge later, I tested the same system with $10 Hosa speaker cables. I didn't hear any difference whatsoever.

[Stick_Player]

I think that by "higher quality" me means heavier gauge...

... or over-priced.

After you blow a wad on high-end wire, you can install these on your amp or bass, if you really want to 'invest' in a better sound:

$485 for the Sliver Rock Signature Knob.

These knobs are custom made with beech wood and bronze where the bronze is used as the insert to mount to the stem of the volume pot. The beech wood is coated several times with C37 lacquer for best sound as pointed out by Dieter Ennemoser.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I also paid additional $300 for a pair of ultra high quality speaker cables... I tested the same system with $10 Hosa speaker cables. I didn't hear any difference whatsoever.

But did you have your $300 cables cyro treated and broken in? And used with lifts? You Have to use lifts!

For further amusement, check out this snake-oil repository:
http://www.shakti-innovations.com/hallograph.htm

[PhiDeck]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

You work at Best Buy? Sounds like their pitch.

Sorry, no. You must be thinking of someone else. I've never worked at BestBuy (nor at any other retailer, or wholesaler).

Can't say I've ever encountered, working at BestBuy or its ilk, anyone who seemed likely to understand that the velocity of propagation of an electro-magnetic wave is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant of the medium in which it propagates.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by PhiDeck

Can't say I've ever encountered, working at BestBuy or its ilk, anyone who seemed likely to understand that the velocity of propagation of an electro-magnetic wave is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant of the medium in which it propagates.

They do understand the dictate to try and upsell customers to the highest profit makers in the store: 'high performance' cables and extended warranties!

[blastjv]

I read an article a while ago about the differences in sound between using expensive audiophile quality speaker cable vs. wire coat hangers...

...none.


-JV

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by PhiDeck

the velocity of propagation of an electro-magnetic wave is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant of the medium in which it propagates.

IF YOU DO THIS YOU'LL HAVE TO WIPE IT UP AFTERWARDS!!!!!