Recommend me some speaker cable

[Salgar]

Hello!

I have a Sony DH800 7.1 AV Amp and some Tannoy SFX 5.1 Speakers. They're high end budget parts I would say, nothing crazy, and sound infinitely better than my TV on its own

I've just moved flat, and my current speaker cable isn't long enough.

I have two questions. Is it important that the speaker cable be the same length to all 5 speakers? i.e. have the front cables very long even though they're much closer to the amp than the rear speakers.

And then also, can someone recommend me some good to average speaker cable. Preferably no more than £2/meter (Depending on the answer to the first question).

I say good to average because I know the prices get ridiculous. So I'd like some normal-person-price stuff.

Also, does it make a tangible difference? Can you actually hear the difference between good and bad speaker cable?

Thanks!

[FlossyThePig]

I can see this getting silly.

With the gear you have there is no need to spend much. I have used flexible twin core mains cable before now. The only reason I haven't got it now is my amp and speakers emigrated to New Zealand (well my son did).

Cable length probably won't have any significant affect for you either.

[TonyRPH]

Maplin do some decent stuff - there are two thicknesses:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/loudspeaker-cable-20m-drum...

Sorry, but Maplin's dumbass website is not letting me link to the two different types.

One is quite thick, like the old QED 79 strand cable - the other is quite a bit thinner.

Either type will be suitable for your requirements, and I would go for the thinner one, because it's easier to work with, and easier to hide.

ETA: Managed to copy the specs page:

Code Cable Construction Overall Size Max. Current
N23AP 13/0.2mm copper 4mm x 2mm 2.5A
N20AP 42/0.2mm copper 6mm x 3mm 15A
N17AP 79/0.2mm copper 6mm x 3mm 18A

I'm currently using the 42/0.2 size on my HiFi system - I have a 3M run either side, and 150W per channel - and it works just fine.

Edited by TonyRPH on Wednesday 15th May 21:29

[zcacogp]

FlossyThePig said:

I can see this getting silly.

Where's that popcorn smilie?


Oli.

[marctwo]

I used this which I am very happy with. Some clever folks over at AVF tested it and it was better than a lot of costly branded stuff:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CASPEAK79.htm...

[TonyRPH]

marctwo said:

I used this which I am very happy with. Some clever folks over at AVF tested it and it was better than a lot of costly branded stuff:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CASPEAK79.htm...

That looks identical to the Maplin stuff I recommended above.

[marctwo]

TonyRPH said:

That looks identical to the Maplin stuff I recommended above.

It probably is!

[marctwo]

The TLC is good stuff:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/interconnects-speak...

Cambridge Audio Ultra 100.......... TLC 2.5 mm²

Loop resistance:........ 26.5 mÙ / m.....................14.8 mÙ / m
Loop inductance:........673 nH / m.......................476 nH / m
Capacitance:............. 27 pF / m.........................63.3 pF / m
Overall dimensions:...14 mm X 5.5 mm...............8 mm X 4 mm
Approximate price:....£5 / m..............................£0.6 / m

[Salgar]

Thanks everyone, I have ordered 45m of that TLC stuff. It was ex-vat and didn't include postage so ended up at around 80p/m but still cheaper than I would've paid for equivalent stuff elsewhere.

[Dr G]

Bargainous, I used to use similar from CPC and the reel I bought did various friend's houses as well

I bought a big bag of odd lengths of QED stuff from a very nice chap on AV forums for my new flat. It was something in the £3/metre range new and worked out at ~20p/metre to me

[Esseesse]

I'd recommend looking for individually insulated solid core conductors. In the past I've always found braided CAT5e very good, much better than some reasonably expensive commercial stuff (~£20/m IIRC).

[richwig83]

Twin core copper cable from any diy place.... cheap as chips!

Edited by richwig83 on Friday 5th July 14:59

[HowMuchLonger]

What ever cable you end up getting, it is essential to burn it in. I perform this service for £12/m. Definately worth it.

[TonyRPH]

And I can advise you on the best direction to send the sound.

[Denis O]

And I'll consult on whether you should solder the banana plugs or not......

Edited by Denis O on Friday 5th July 21:05

[rhinochopig]

Dymaxion ultra-crystal is what you need. It's made from the woven pubic hair of virgin mermaids. The dark haired cable is for bass fans and the blonde offers a wider soundscape.