Speaker cable - what gauge?

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Speaker cable - what gauge?

I don't see much need for quibbling over things like this. I just look for overkill and good handling properties at a reasonable price.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Speaker cable - what gauge?

That's what I was thinking, but I seem to recall reading something once about how you have to balance the cable's impedance with the cabinet and head demands based on the length of the run; too thin and it heats like a filament, or it can't handle the power coming out of the amp and can only feed it back up the pipe, burning out the head.

I was talking about using any decent speaker cable, not just any cable. Definitely not an instrument cable which is what I think you are referring to regarding the small wire gauge and mismatches etc. At any rate, sounds like you bought the right thing and it should work perfectly fine.

First link I turned up on why you don't want to use instrument cable as speaker cable. http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/speaker-cable-0820-2011.aspx

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Speaker cable - what gauge?

Interesting chart from Yamaha:

http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/live_sound/pa_systems/stagepas_300/2521/7034

 

[GourmetSaint]

Re: Speaker cable - what gauge?

It's all about low impedance so the best quality OFC cables as thick as you can afford. I've even used braided cat5/6 network cable to great effect. Cheapest high quality copper on the planet.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Speaker cable - what gauge?

I was talking about using any decent speaker cable, not just any cable. Definitely not an instrument cable which is what I think you are referring to regarding the small wire gauge and mismatches etc. At any rate, sounds like you bought the right thing and it should work perfectly fine.

First link I turned up on why you don't want to use instrument cable as speaker cable. http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/speaker-cable-0820-2011.aspx

That may indeed be what it was - using instrument cable as speaker cable. I've really not dealt much with head + cab setups, typically just combos where all that "stuff" is taken care of. I knew about the "lamp cable" thing for speaker cable (i.e. two same-size wires in their own sleeve, where the cable looks like a household extension cord or table lamp cord), and to make sure the cab goes to the right output on the head (when using a cab wired for 4 Ohms, use the 4 Ohm output/setting on the head, etc), but mostly smiled and nodded when people started talking in depth about the rest of it :lol:



As for the Yamaha link, it looks like I'd need 16ga. for the 2x12 (4 Ohms) and 18ga. for the 4x12 (8 Ohms). Unless I just say screw it and leave the heads on the cabs. Just have to learn to live with not being able to see straight when there's sound coming out of them :lol:


Hmm, Cat5. 5e or just straight 5?

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Speaker cable - what gauge?

That may indeed be what it was - using instrument cable as speaker cable. I've really not dealt much with head + cab setups, typically just combos where all that "stuff" is taken care of. I knew about the "lamp cable" thing for speaker cable (i.e. two same-size wires in their own sleeve, where the cable looks like a household extension cord or table lamp cord), and to make sure the cab goes to the right output on the head (when using a cab wired for 4 Ohms, use the 4 Ohm output/setting on the head, etc), but mostly smiled and nodded when people started talking in depth about the rest of it :lol:



As for the Yamaha link, it looks like I'd need 16ga. for the 2x12 (4 Ohms) and 18ga. for the 4x12 (8 Ohms). Unless I just say screw it and leave the heads on the cabs. Just have to learn to live with not being able to see straight when there's sound coming out of them :lol:


Hmm, Cat5. 5e or just straight 5?

Read up on cat 5 for speaker cable before you use it. Each wire is only 24awg. You have to use multiple pairs together to up the effective wire gauge. The Audiophiles braid a bunch of pairs together. All types of reviews on the stuff from gawd-like to gawd-awful in home audio use. Some reported issues as well. Audiophiles are a unique bunch. Personally, I'd use 16 awg zip cord before I'd waste my time. No way do I believe you'd hear any difference in guitar speaker wire, especially with some gain, as long as the conductor is copper and the size is adequate. But hell, I've been wrong before. Lots.