So, I have always owned combo's. I recently purchased an amp and cab for more power. My 15 cab speaker was making a popping noise when turned up and really wasn't even that loud. I figured either the amp or cabinet was bad. Then I saw a thread about speaker Cable. I picked up a 12 gauge speaker Cable at my local dealer and BAM! Everything cleared up and the power seemed like it doubled!! I'm just thankful I didn't mess anything up before switching to the speaker Cable. So, YES the speaker Cable makes a difference!!
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Speaker Cable a Must!
- Thread starter evadbazz
- Start date
It's the right tool for the job, certainly.
Even though an instrument cable and a speaker cable may both have 1/4" connectors on them, they serve a very different purpose. This is why many amp manufacturers now use Speakon connectors as they are not interchangeable with instrument cable. Additionally, they handle more current, have touch-proof conductors to prevent shock, and have the ability to lock into place to avoid accidental disconnection.
Even though an instrument cable and a speaker cable may both have 1/4" connectors on them, they serve a very different purpose. This is why many amp manufacturers now use Speakon connectors as they are not interchangeable with instrument cable. Additionally, they handle more current, have touch-proof conductors to prevent shock, and have the ability to lock into place to avoid accidental disconnection.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,062
- 5
- 221,107
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Correct, in spite of much advertising regarding the magic properties of some speaker cables, replacing a defective or broken one with any properly functioning speaker cable will give the same improved results.
I'd be curious to know what you were trying to use before that was causing problems.
I'm not strongly against 1/4" connections for speakers - that's what all my tube amps have had and I've had some of my greatest room-filling tone nights via that type of connection. Speakon does make more sense though when available.
I like a good 12 gauge speaker wire. (Makes more of a difference on longer cables - might be overkill on a 3' but the cost & bulk isn't a big deal at that length, so what the heck...)
I'm not strongly against 1/4" connections for speakers - that's what all my tube amps have had and I've had some of my greatest room-filling tone nights via that type of connection. Speakon does make more sense though when available.
I like a good 12 gauge speaker wire. (Makes more of a difference on longer cables - might be overkill on a 3' but the cost & bulk isn't a big deal at that length, so what the heck...)
I was using a basic 6ft instrument cable. Not sure exactly the gauge. Nothing wrong with the cord. My exact setup is the Eden EC28 combo 180 watts in the Eden 200 watt D115t cab. 4 ohm to 8 ohm. Just wasn't getting the power at all.
The center conductor of a typical instrument cable is way too small to safely carry the current between an amplifier and it’s speaker system. Used thus there is a good possibility for a fire.
The use of 1/4” Phone connectors is sort of OK upto about 200W. After that their problems increase in leaps and bounds. These plugs were originally developed for telephone switch boards and they were rated at a couple of hundred milliamps at 48V. The service they see as a speaker cable connector far exceeds their design specification.
SpeakOn connectors are so much better and have none of the problems inherent in phone plugs.
The use of 1/4” Phone connectors is sort of OK upto about 200W. After that their problems increase in leaps and bounds. These plugs were originally developed for telephone switch boards and they were rated at a couple of hundred milliamps at 48V. The service they see as a speaker cable connector far exceeds their design specification.
SpeakOn connectors are so much better and have none of the problems inherent in phone plugs.
If you say the instrument cable is OK for up to 200 watts then it should have worked just fine. However it didn't so I don't know. All I know is the 12 gauge made a HUGE difference.
I did NOT say that an instrument cable is good for use as a speaker cable. I talked about the 1/4” Phone connector itself that are still used too many times on speaker cables. No instrument signal cable should ever be used for connecting a speaker cabinet to the amplifier!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,062
- 5
- 221,107
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
It's not that 12 gauge made the difference, there was something very wrong with your original cable. For a 6' cable, there will be zero difference between 18, 16, 14 or 12 gauge at 200 watts.
I have done multiple double-blind tests on this very topic, I have 100% confidence in this based on the data.
I have done multiple double-blind tests on this very topic, I have 100% confidence in this based on the data.
As an engineer (eleven years retired) my experience is that when people believe in magic you will not divest them of the idea that success is due only to magic.
There's billions to be made in magic supplements and beauty products.
Also I had a guy this weekend bust out a speaker cable he made out of what looked like clear jacket lamp cord and some random 1/4" to check out my 700rb.
I pointed to the Speakon that was already connecting it to a cab.
Isn't it's amazing how many people try to make "magic snake oil" claims, only to be trounced by Ohm's Law?
The Monster Cable guy is laughing at us from his Tony Stark-esque mansions.
Good thing I roll my own, with Speakons and 12awg!
Monster ain't suing anyone 'round these parts!
Instrument cables are not suitable for speaker applications (and vice versa). Sometimes they will work and sometimes not. You have experienced the not
Fires just add to the drama of a good live gig.
^^^^ Agree.
I had my older Ampeg BA115 amp apart last night and found that the wire from the PCB connector to the speaker appears to be about 20 gauge.
Yes, switching a instrument cable for a proper speaker cable should have made a huge difference. I am not surprised.
^^^^ Agree.
I had my older Ampeg BA115 amp apart last night and found that the wire from the PCB connector to the speaker appears to be about 20 gauge.
I owned the BA115 for about 2 weeks. Had too much speaker noise for me. Loved the tone!
