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I'm new... Embarrassing... But what cables do I need?

A

Augie50

Guest
Mar 8, 2016
34
10
37
Rockford, IL
#1
I finally am getting my own rig since I've been a drummer/guitarist most of my life.

That said I think I'm getting an Aguilar TH500 and 1 or 2 12 in cabs (DB or SL)

This is probably the dumbest question ever but I could use some help... What cables do I need to connect these all together? It's my understanding that regular music cables are not reccomended.

Thank you in advance. Any suggested brands?
 
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#13
Augie50 said:
Will this do the trick?

Live Wire Elite 12-Gauge Speakon-Speakon 2-Pole Speaker Cable

How do I hook up both cabs?
Click to expand...


Right kind of cable but way too long. The speaker cables only have to be about 5 feet long. In that length , they will be much cheaper than the one in the ad.

OK , I'm not too familiar with the TH500 or the cabs you mentioned but here's some basics for hooking them up. If the amp has two outputs , you can run one cable from each one of the outputs to each one of the cabs.
Or.. if the cabs have two inputs , you can run one cable from the amp to a cab and then run from the other input on that cab to either input on the other cab. This is called "daisy chaining."
Now here's what I do know about the TH500. It will handle a 4 ohm load on the output. If you are running one cab , you can use a 4 or 8 ohm cab. If you are running two cabs , they must be 8 ohm cabs.
Two 8 ohm cabs will result in a 4 ohm total load and your amp is designed to take this. Two 4 ohm cabs will result in a 2 ohm load and will very likely fry your amp.
 
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#14
sharkbait130 said:
Right kind of cable but way too long. The speaker cables only have to be about 5 feet long. In that length , they will be much cheaper than the one in the ad.

OK , I'm not too familiar with the TH500 or the cabs you mentioned but here's some basics for hooking them up. If the amp has two outputs , you can run one cable from each one of the outputs to each one of the cabs.
Or.. if the cabs have two inputs , you can run one cable from the amp to a cab and then run from the other input on that cab to either input on the other cab. This is called "daisy chaining."
Now here's what I do know about the TH500. It will handle a 4 ohm load on the output. If you are running one cab , you can use a 4 or 8 ohm cab. If you are running two cabs , they must be 8 ohm cabs.
Two 8 ohm cabs will result in a 4 ohm total load and your amp is designed to take this. Two 4 ohm cabs will result in a 2 ohm load and will very likely fry your amp.
Click to expand...

Where can I find shorter/less expensive cables? I can get 5 ft Livewire cable from MF for $25.59/ea. with free shipping
 
#15
Augie50 said:
Where can I find shorter/less expensive cables? I can get 5 ft Livewire cable from MF for $25.59/ea. with free shipping
Click to expand...


LOL sorry about that. I haven't bought speaker cables in a lonnnnng time and didn't realize how expensive they had gotten. The $25.59 ones you mention are a pretty good deal in this day and age. If you don't want to use the Speakons and just go to 1/4" speaker cables you can save some money that way but the Speakon cables are really much better and worth the extra expense.
edit: Better check the back of the amp. Some newer amps only take Speakons.
 
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#16
sharkbait130 said:
LOL sorry about that. I haven't bought speaker cables in a lonnnnng time and didn't realize how expensive they had gotten. The $25.59 ones you mention are a pretty good deal in this day and age. If you don't want to use the Speakons and just go to 1/4" speaker cables you can save some money that way but the Speakon cables are really much better and worth the extra expense.
edit: Better check the back of the amp. Some newer amps only take Speakons.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the 5ft Livewire from MF are my best deal without searching all over. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
#18
I have a TH500 and two SL-112s. A 3' SpeakOn cable will reach the bottom cab just fine if they are stacked vertically. If you can find a 1 1/2' or 2' cable to run the top cab and a 3' cable for the bottom cab you'll be set. A 5' cable will be touching the ground if it's attached to the bottom cab.

If you can afford the two cabs up front you won't be sorry. I started off with one and I got the second about two months later. There's a huge difference when you add the second cab. The SL-112 is designed to pair with the TH500. The cabs are rated to handle 250 watts each and that's just what the TH500 puts out (250 watts x 2) when both cabs are connected.
 

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