Question about speaker cables

IllGottenGain · #1 02-01-2011, 10:20 AM

Is there as big a difference between brands of speaker cables as there is between instrument cables? I know that seems like a dumb question, but is it worth it to buy a monster or mogami or neutrik cable to connect your cab? I know that a $5 cable won't perform as well, but cables aren't the most exciting thing to drop $60 on. But if there's a huge difference in sound, I suppose it's a necessary evil.

dj150888 · #2 02-01-2011, 10:29 AM

Good, solid connectors and a decent gauge core and you're sweet. Don't buy into the marketing BS.

Balog · #3 02-01-2011, 10:56 AM

Copper is copper, and electrons can't read marketing. Instrument or speaker, expensive cables give a placebo effect, nothing more.

billfitzmaurice · #4 02-01-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllGottenGain

Is there as big a difference between brands of speaker cables as there is between instrument cables?.

No. And there's not that much difference in instrument cables either. The best performance you can get doesn't cost more than a dollar a foot, exclusive of the connectors, and those should come to no more than five bucks each. Anything more expensive is just more expensive, not better.

IngerAlb · #5 02-01-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

No. And there's not that much difference in instrument cables either.

I don't agree. There is an audible difference between a cheap cable and a good one. As well as between a cable built for bass guitar and a general purpose one.

I don't know much about speaker cables, but considering what these are supposed to do, I'd say investing in a very good cable is a smart thing. The consequences of using a feeble one may be far too drastic compared to using a weak instrument cable with a bass...IMO.

IllGottenGain · #6 02-01-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

No. And there's not that much difference in instrument cables either.

I also disagree on that. I had a Horizon cable for a while before I switched to a Mogami at someone's recommendation, and though there's surely some expense due to the name, I could hear the difference in the signal to noise ratio.

I don't know about the speaker cables though. Is a speakon connection any better than the 1/4"? I'm not talking about the strength of the connection. It would seem to me that the better the quality of the cable, the less quality is lost between amplifier and cabinet, or instrument and amplifier. Maybe it's all voodoo though, and I've been duped into buying a $60 Mogami for no reason...

I just have a cheap speaker cable right now, but I'm looking to get an Eden 410XLT and I want everything to sound as good as possible.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #7 02-01-2011, 11:54 AM

There's not much difference in instrument cables, and even less in loudspeaker cables. In either one, the goal is to pass the signal cleanly and keep losses at a minimum; the difference between the two uses is because one is high-impedance and small-signal, while the other is low-impedance and large-signal.

In a loudspeaker cable, the #1 design performance criterion is to minimize the resistance. That's not difficult or expensive. You can do that with zip cord, even.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #8 02-01-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

I don't agree. There is an audible difference between a cheap cable and a good one. As well as between a cable built for bass guitar and a general purpose one.

I think you mean between a defective cable and a good one. Good cables can cost almost as little as "cheap" ones do.

Quote:

I don't know much about speaker cables, but considering what these are supposed to do, I'd say investing in a very good cable is a smart thing. The consequences of using a feeble one may be far too drastic compared to using a weak instrument cable with a bass...IMO.

Investing? Come on, it's a loudspeaker cable. Making a good one is simple and requires no special or magical materials. It's like making good ice cubes; while you can buy them ready-made, you can make your own just as well.

Rodger Bryan · #9 02-01-2011, 11:59 AM

The best deal in comparable quality speakon terminated cables is the Redco Audio 12/2 speaker cable and a pair of either an NL4FC or NL4FX connector. (assuming you are willing to spend 15 minutes on assembly) It would be <$18 shipped for a 4' cable compared to a comparable 3' Hosa cable at $35 dollars.

http://www.redco.com/

I keep bringing up Redco because I live near them and they have everything for cable assembly!

billfitzmaurice · #10 02-01-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

I don't agree. There is an audible difference between a cheap cable and a good one.

There's an audible difference between instrument cables of varying capacitance and shielding. There's almost no correlation whatsoever between price, capacitance and shielding. One of the worst cables ever made where capacitance is concerned was one sold by Monster. The highs were rolled off so badly that they should have been labeled 'defective'. Monster made lemonade from these lemons and labeled them 'Electric Bass'.

BigOldHarry · #11 02-01-2011, 12:13 PM

Funny - the two dudes who *know* - - the audio engineers - are tell you folks true, and you resist. That's how Monster et al make their fortunes, I suppose.

dpbass66 · #12 02-01-2011, 12:16 PM

Ive seen threads around, comparing instrument cables, but they were so technical they lost me. I looked for a summary of the discussion but couldnt find it.

Anyone know of a source that is an honest appraisal of the price:quality quotient (if you will...). As a player, I'd be willing to pay as much as is necessary to the point of diminishing returns with regard to sound quality. Thig is I dont know what brand that would be nad what price point that is.

Any input??

RedLeg · #13 02-01-2011, 12:17 PM

I believe Bob Lee, call me crazy, but I think the guy knows a thing or 2 'bout 'lectronics.

billfitzmaurice · #14 02-01-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpbass66

I dont know what brand that would be nad what price point that is.

Any input??

Make your own. Everything you need can be found at Parts Express. It ain't brain surgery.

Zoa · #15 02-01-2011, 12:21 PM

http://ovnilab.com/articles/cables.shtml

this might help.

Robby Hoinsky · #16 02-01-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

There's not much difference in instrument cables, and even less in loudspeaker cables. In either one, the goal is to pass the signal cleanly and keep losses at a minimum; the difference between the two uses is because one is high-impedance and small-signal, while the other is low-impedance and large-signal.

In a loudspeaker cable, the #1 design performance criterion is to minimize the resistance. That's not difficult or expensive. You can do that with zip cord, even.

Couldn't agree more. Cable has the highest markup of pretty much anything sold, so that should explain some of the marketing hype.

Bob, sweet avatar btw, from the area?

Robby

IngerAlb · #17 02-01-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

I think you mean between a defective cable and a good one. Good cables can cost almost as little as "cheap" ones do.

By "good" I meant a reliable cable, that won't short after 2 - 3 days. I am not one of those that believe in buying the priciest item = you've bought the best item available on the market, so yeah, I wasn't categorising based on price.

Quote:

Investing? Come on, it's a loudspeaker cable.

Here a speakon cable costs about 1/10 of the average salary (a VOX bass instrument cable = around 2/10; average salary meaning around 200 - 300 Euros per month). I know it sounds ridiculous, that's how things are...hence the "investing" comment

Bob Lee (QSC) · #18 02-01-2011, 01:56 PM

A so-called "Speakon cable" is just a cable with Speakon connectors on the ends. Speakon connectors are about 3 to 4 Euro each, and two-conductor electrical wire is cheap--a couple Euros' worth of wire should be more than enough for a bass rig.

chucko58 · #19 02-01-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoa

http://ovnilab.com/articles/cables.shtml

this might help.

Wow! Actual facts about instrument cables!

Thanks Zoa, that was well worth reading!

IngerAlb · #20 02-01-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

A so-called "Speakon cable" is just a cable with Speakon connectors on the ends. Speakon connectors are about 3 to 4 Euro each, and two-conductor electrical wire is cheap--a couple Euros' worth of wire should be more than enough for a bass rig.

The cheapest speakon that I bought was around 11 Euros. Sounds very cheap, but like I said, keep in mind here most ppl earn around 200 - 300 Euros a month...