speaker cable

[mxz600]

running a small PA on stage does the speaker cables have to be the same length (left & right

 

[bwildt]

No. The speed of light (186,000 miles/sec) is so fast that the time difference of an extra 100 ft is negligible (about 100 nanoseconds if my my math is correct).

 

[JRA]

does the speaker cables have to be the same length (left & right

no, they don't have to be identical lengths or gauges, but they shouldn't be wildly different either. a good rule of thumb is: a speaker cable is too long if you can hear a difference using it!

i wouldn't use 10 feet of 12AWG on one side and 200 feet of 18AWG on the other. it might not be a problem with some setups, but it doesn't represent best practices. however, a difference of several feet/yards is common just for cable management!

what lengths are you dealing with? what is your amp?

 

[seamonkey]

No. The speed of light (186,000 miles/sec) is so fast that the time difference of an extra 100 ft is negligible (about 100 nanoseconds if my my math is correct).

Pedantic answer to follow
Electrons have mass, and therefore cannot move at the speed of light. Electrons move more like 90% the speed of light in a good conductor. Now in a particle accelerator like CERN they can get up to like 99% of the speed of light but it takes huge amounts of power to get there.

Electromagnetic waves emanating from the wire caused by the electrons moving in the conductor is actually light and does travel at the speed of light - mostly.

Anyhow, "good" cables don't need to be the same length. With crap cables you would notice a difference. The long crap cable would mute the highs. Only use good cables.

Watch all 4 parts for some interesting information.

 

[mxz600]

no, they don't have to be identical lengths or gauges, but they shouldn't be wildly different either. a good rule of thumb is: a speaker cable is too long if you can hear a difference using it!

i wouldn't use 10 feet of 12AWG on one side and 200 feet of 18AWG on the other. it might not be a problem with some setups, but it doesn't represent best practices. however, a difference of several feet/yards is common just for cable management!

what lengths are you dealing with? what is your amp?

i am using a carvin power mixer RX1200 at 4ohms 300w x 4 main speakers cables are 12AWG 30ft long monitors cables are 14AWG 20ft & 10ft can the extra cable be coil up at speaker stand or should they be layed out on floor i was told not to coil extra cable

 

[JRA]

i am using a carvin power mixer RX1200 at 4ohms 300w x 4 main speakers cables are 12AWG 30ft long monitors cables are 14AWG 20ft & 10ft can the extra cable be coil up at speaker stand or should they be layed out on floor i was told not to coil extra cable

your cable lengths are not in the realm of 'problematic' --- barring 'unusual'/weird circumstances. coiling those cables won't be an issue (again: barring 'unusual'/weird circumstances).

i think you're fine --- have at it! good luck!

 

[s0c9]

i am using a carvin power mixer RX1200 at 4ohms 300w x 4 main speakers cables are 12AWG 30ft long monitors cables are 14AWG 20ft & 10ft can the extra cable be coil up at speaker stand or should they be layed out on floor i was told not to coil extra cable

Go smack whomever told you not to coil extra speaker cable!!!
Coil the extra under the monitor, behind the speaker, by the amp... your coil (pun intended).

 

[seamonkey]

Watch the Dave Rat video's. He tests cables coiled and uncoiled.

 

[mxz600]

thanks for all info

 

[agedhorse]

i am using a carvin power mixer RX1200 at 4ohms 300w x 4 main speakers cables are 12AWG 30ft long monitors cables are 14AWG 20ft & 10ft can the extra cable be coil up at speaker stand or should they be layed out on floor i was told not to coil extra cable

Don't worry about any of this.

There are much more important thing to deal with... like showing up to the gig on time and prepared, remembering your bass, clear underwear, etc.

 

[mxz600]

LOL