speaker cable gauges?

bommer · #1 07-16-2010, 08:49 AM

does anyone know if the gauge of speaker cable (connecting amp to cab) has a big effect on the sound output/quality?
or any other factors, if that?

thanks

KJung · #2 07-16-2010, 09:13 AM

Zero issue given the short length of cables used with bass backline gear, and the relatively low power put out by bass heads. 10,000 watts and 100' cable runs... do your homework. 750 watts and 3'... don't worry about it

If it makes you feel better, the standard 12 gauge 3' speakon cables look and work great

LowerBeef · #3 07-16-2010, 09:40 AM

Using a small gauge (big number, like 22) cable will increase resistance, decreasing the power to the speaker and reducing the dampening factor of the amplifier, less control of the speakers.

How much it effects your sound is dependent on a number of variables, power output, tube or solid state, speaker impedance, cable length, etc. A 3 foot cable between a 100 watt tube amp and an 8 ohm cab would not be nearly as critical as a 50 foot long cable between a 1000 watt class D amp and a 2 ohm dual 18" cab.

I'm using Mogami W3104 12 gauge with NeutriK speakONs on my SVT4Pro/SVT410HE/SVT18 rig.

billfitzmaurice · #4 07-16-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommer

does anyone know if the gauge of speaker cable (connecting amp to cab) has a big effect on the sound output/quality?

So long as it's not under-gauged, no. Any and all claims to the contrary are BS/snakeoil. For a six foot cable 16 ga. is all you need.
Suggested reading:
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coa...monster-cables
http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/10-01-06#feature

Bob Lee (QSC) · #5 07-16-2010, 10:08 AM

What Bill said.

Short cable length gives you more gauge options; a long cable OTOH would require that you use larger gauge.

How much power your amp has is really immaterial in this situation.

bommer · #6 07-16-2010, 11:20 AM

this is really confusing to me, lol.
so with a yorkville 410 cab (XC410 = 500 watt, 8ohms) and a yorkville head (XS400H = 400 watt, 4ohms min output) and connecting the two i have a yowkville speaker cable that is a 18/2GA cable. should that be fine, or is there a speaker cable that would be better suitable for me?

Bob Lee (QSC) · #7 07-16-2010, 11:22 AM

Do you know how long it is?

bommer · #8 07-16-2010, 11:27 AM

its a 6 footer

Bob Lee (QSC) · #9 07-16-2010, 11:53 AM

That's unusually long for a bass rig, but 12' (round trip) of 18 AWG into an 8Ω load is still acceptable, IMHO.

LowerBeef · #10 07-16-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommer

...i have a yowkville speaker cable that is a 18/2GA cable. should that be fine, or is there a speaker cable that would be better suitable for me?

What kind of connectors? 1/4 inch phone plugs have more resistance than speakON.

It won't hurt (or cost much) to try a 6 foot 12 or 14 gauge cable. I'd say 18 is a little flimsy at the level your running.

bommer · #11 07-16-2010, 11:59 AM

alright, sounds good guys. might try a 12 gauge just to compare.

now if im going to 12 gauge, stick with 6 foot, or can i still go shorter?

JackANSI · #12 07-16-2010, 12:01 PM

I always go with the shortest cable/largest gauge I can get away with. But no matter, listen to Bill and Bob, they know more about amps and speakers than just about anyone on here..

LowerBeef · #13 07-16-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommer

...
now if im going to 12 gauge, stick with 6 foot, or can i still go shorter?

You can go shorter, but theoretically, going from 18 ga to 12 ga at 6 feet would be like shortening your 6 foot 18 ga cable to 18 inches.

billfitzmaurice · #14 07-16-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

12' (round trip) of 18 AWG into an 8Ω load is still acceptable, IMHO.

0.0783 ohms, to be precise. That's 1/100th of the load impedance, and anything less than 1/10th is inaudible. Even with very long cables the main problem isn't resistance, it's capacitance and inductance. And no, there are no magic cable cures for those issues either, that's why major PA systems always place the amps near the cabs and not in the FOH.

Mr. Foxen · #15 07-16-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

0.0783 ohms, to be precise. That's 1/100th of the load impedance, and anything less than 1/10th is inaudible. Even with very long cables the main problem isn't resistance, it's capacitance and inductance. And no, there are no magic cable cures for those issues either, that's why major PA systems always place the amps near the cabs and not in the FOH.

Sure pricing them over $100 a foot doesn't help inductance?