Speaker Cable question

skyydogg01

skyydogg01

New member
I am acquiring an extension cab for my Blackstar HT Studio 20 Combo (used) and I'm not sure if it'll come with a speaker cable.

I have access to a bunch of cable but I need to know about the connectors. Are some connectors rated for speaker loads? How can I tell the difference?
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

The cable makes a bigger difference than the connectors; different amps need different cables in terms of shielding and grounding. Make sure yours matches the manufacturer's specifications.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

Most combos w/ extension speaker outputs do not come with the extra cable. The cable needs to be a speaker cable w/ a 1/4" plug on each end. NOT an instrument cable. And make sure that it and the internal plug are plugged into the correct jacks for the proper impedance. The external cab should be of the same impedance as the internal one for best results. Consult your mfg. manual. See page 10 Rear Panel/4. Speaker Outputs.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

The 1/4" connectors are the same as on instrument cables, the difference is the cable. Instrument cable is coaxial, with a center conductor and a shield around the outside. A speaker cable isn't shielded, they are just 2 conductors of the same size.

http://www.realtimeaudio.ca/blog/difference-between-speaker-cable-instrument-cable/

FWIW, I've never seen an amp specify anything about shielding or grounding, I don't understand Twilight's post.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

devastone said:
The 1/4" connectors are the same as on instrument cables, the difference is the cable. Instrument cable is coaxial, with a center conductor and a shield around the outside. A speaker cable isn't shielded, they are just 2 conductors of the same size.

http://www.realtimeaudio.ca/blog/difference-between-speaker-cable-instrument-cable/
Click to expand...

Also keep in mind that some speaker cables do APPEAR to look like instrument cables, i.e. they are not of the 'side by side' orientation, and look like one big shielded cable, but if you open them up they are. Road Hog Cables (by Rapco maybe?) Were like this.

EDIT: I see the article shows this
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

Yep, most of them! The only way to really tell, if it doesn't say on the cable jacket, is to unscrew the connector and look at the wires.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

devastone said:
FWIW, I've never seen an amp specify anything about shielding or grounding, I don't understand Twilight's post.
Click to expand...

Same here, at least for extension cabinets or speaker cable. I don't say it is bad idea a speaker cable to be shielded, but mine is a Fender transparent and I can see it is not shielded, and looked at the mogami gold speaker cable (expensive) and it is not shielded but it is coaxial which my help a bit to reduce catching noise interference.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

Absolutely no reason to shield a speaker cable, the signal is level is so high that it won't pick up any noise.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

I've heard that is actually bad to use shielded cable for speakers.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

Demanic said:
I've heard that is actually bad to use shielded cable for speakers.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Shielding increases capacitance, which can be bad for amps.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

TwilightOdyssey said:
VOX spkr cables are shielded and they advise shielded speaker leads for their amps.

http://www.voxativ.com/en/electronics/vox-speaker-cable/
Click to expand...

WTF? ... That's a home audio link. Or, I'm missing something.

I don't see any speaker cables listed on the VOX site. http://www.voxamps.com/cables

Regardless, anyone is free to spend their money on whatever they think works best. Personally, I'll pass on shielded or otherwise "boutique" speaker cables. I make my own.
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

Even stereo speaker cables don't need to be shielded, lots of snake oil sold in audiophile land. As an engineer, I will also say, in guitar player land too, I won't get start anything, but, if anyone has paid $150 for an AC power cord, yep...
 
Re: Speaker Cable question

All I got is get a longer one then you think you'll need.
If you need a 3',get a 6',need 6' get a 10',etc.
:)
 
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