Best 1/4" Speaker Cable

[Reynolds 101]

Which brand of 1/4" speaker cables is the best in your opinion, and why? I want to get the best quality for a good price because I guess the cable makes a big difference.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

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Best quality and prices

 

[Reynolds 101]

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Best quality and prices

Thats interesting. Have you used them before?

 

[Thangfish]

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Best quality and prices

Butch has gotten so popular on TB that he's now at a 1 month lead time. If you intend to get cables from him, plan ahead.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Thats interesting. Have you used them before?

Aye, two 1/4" -> 1/4" speaker cables, damned good quality

 

[Bassamatic]

Speaker cables are not nearly as critical as the instrument cables.

Basically, The hardware must be sturdy, and the cable must have a large enough gauge to carry the wattage. That's about it. There is no magic to speaker cables, despite what Monster and the others claim.

It is no issue to make your own with some heavy 12-18 ga. AC cord, Switchcraft plugs and a bit of shrink tube for reinforcement. If you are not handy this way, then Butch's products are well priced.

 

[Reynolds 101]

Well making my own does sound fun, but also like an accident waiting to happen. So I'll see if I can get one from that site, if not I'll just go with whatever.

 

[Thangfish]

It is no issue to make your own with some heavy 12-18 ga. AC cord, Switchcraft plugs and a bit of shrink tube for reinforcement.

That makes a damn fine (and cheap) one there!

 

[mikeypbass]

I have always been fond of Monster cables (though every time i buy one i lose it....)

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Speaker cables are not nearly as critical as the instrument cables.

Basically, The hardware must be sturdy, and the cable must have a large enough gauge to carry the wattage. That's about it. There is no magic to speaker cables, despite what Monster and the others claim.

It is no issue to make your own with some heavy 12-18 ga. AC cord, Switchcraft plugs and a bit of shrink tube for reinforcement. If you are not handy this way, then Butch's products are well priced.

Oh of course there isnt any mojo, but there isnt any mojo to instrument cables either. Just as long as it works it is all good. And yeah, you can just make your own, I just dont trust my soldering enough for that

Effects pedals and instrument wiring, sure, but not something that could kill my amp!

 

[Rick Auricchio]

+1 for Butch at bayoucables.com

I've made my own cables often, because I have the skills and often have the parts. But this time I've ordered some instrument cables and another speaker cable from Butch.

 

[Reynolds 101]

Yeah I'll look online for some kind of detailed tutorial to make my own because that would be a cool little project. But I'll see if I can get one from that site.

Does he really do custom cables too?

 

[billfitzmaurice]

I guess the cable makes a big difference.

Assuming they are built with quality connectors and adequate wire gauge they make no difference whatsoever. DIY is by far the best option, but if you haven't figured out the intricacies of using a soldering iron or screwdriver the next best bet is Butch at Bayou. Good quality at a good price.

 

[zenlowend]

I use make my own using mogami cable. Works great and so much cheaper than buying them premade.

 

[metalskip]

Monster

 

[jd858us]

One thing I haven't seen in this thread yet, and what I was not aware of until recently, is to stay away from the flat speaker cable (the stuff that looks like lamp cord.) Make sure the conductors are twisted around each other inside the jacket. The flat cable allows voltage to be induced from the hot side to the common, effectively shorting out the amp.

 

[Thangfish]

One thing I haven't seen in this thread yet, and what I was not aware of until recently, is to stay away from the flat speaker cable (the stuff that looks like lamp cord.) Make sure the conductors are twisted around each other inside the jacket. The flat cable allows voltage to be induced from the hot side to the common, effectively shorting out the amp.

Uh, do what again??

 

[projectMalamute]

Assuming they are built with quality connectors and adequate wire gauge they make no difference whatsoever. DIY is by far the best option, but if you haven't figured out the intricacies of using a soldering iron or screwdriver the next best bet is Butch at Bayou. Good quality at a good price.

excellent advice

Monster

terrible advice

One thing I haven't seen in this thread yet, and what I was not aware of until recently, is to stay away from the flat speaker cable (the stuff that looks like lamp cord.) Make sure the conductors are twisted around each other inside the jacket. The flat cable allows voltage to be induced from the hot side to the common, effectively shorting out the amp.

bizarre advice

 

[Thangfish]

bizarre advice

I bet that one came from a guitar player!

 

[billfitzmaurice]

bizarre advice

+1. While twisted pairs are of benefit with balanced interconnects and mic cables they should be avoided with speaker cables, as they result in higher resistance, capacitance and inductance, all of which are detremental with the low impedance loads presented by speakers.

As for high priced cables they only benefit the income of owners and shareholders of the companies that make and sell them.