What gauge is your speaker cable?

[IM4Tone]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

I use 12 and 14. It's overkill for my needs but it doesn't cost much for me to build the cables and they'll probably last me forever.

Yeah, larger gauge never hurts except it sometimes makes it more difficult (especially w/ 12 ga.) to attach to the plug assembly and achieve a tidy finish with the protective sleeves.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

Yeah, larger gauge never hurts except it sometimes makes it more difficult (especially w/ 12 ga.) to attach to the plug assembly and achieve a tidy finish with the protective sleeves.

Depends a good deal on what plugs you use. I build them myself because I can (it ain't rocket science) and because it costs less.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

Depends a good deal on what plugs you use. I build them myself because I can (it ain't rocket science) and because it costs less.

You build the plugs yourself?

I noticed we’re developing a bi-modal distribution.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

Yeah, I've got a line of jumbo plugs coming out just for building speaker cables. Taking orders. PM me for discount pricing. I'll send them out as soon as I grind the Amphenol logos off the side and paint them peweter.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

Okay, I’m done playing saucy English teacher for now.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

Today I picked up a Rapco/Horizon Commercial Series 12 AWG 3ft speaker cable. Very flexible, nicely made, huge barrel connectors. Very nice. I can see myself buying more of these.

View attachment 84665

 

[Darg1911]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

Today I picked up a Rapco/Horizon Commercial Series 12 AWG 3ft speaker cable. Very flexible, nicely made, huge barrel connectors. Very nice. I can see myself buying more of these.

View attachment 84665

I've bought that cable in bulk before. Made in USA. Price was good too. But, I couldn't get it last time I bought. At any rate, it's good cable.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

The Neutrik 1/4” are actually cooler than what’s in the picture. There’s some memory in the cable, from being folded up in the package. After I took this photo I hung the cable up so that it will relax and straighten out (I hope).

View attachment 84698

 

[Darg1911]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

The connectors in the stock photo look like the jumbo Switchcraft or a copy. I use those Neutrik/Reans in your photo, or Amphenols. The Amphenol are nice because of the compression clamping system (like the more expensive Neutrik NP's) but a little more work getting them soldered on. I wonder if Rapco changed the jacket material on the cable. Maybe it's tougher but a little less flexible now. Who knows.

 

[metlking]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

I bought a pair of Lava Cable Tephra speaker cables when they had a big sale. Very nicely done, but I can't say I hear a difference!

https://lavacable.com/collections/speaker-cable/products/the-tephra

 

[Darg1911]

Re: What gauge is your speaker cable?

There isn't likely to be any sonic difference, all else being equal (wire gauge, composition, and length), IMHO. I would think that the priority for a speaker cable would be durability, enough flexibility to lay flat and large enough conductor relative to the amp power and cable length to limit losses. Plus, have a good, durable plug/connector. One thing to be aware of with cheaper cables is that the conductors are often CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) rather than "pure" copper. I think the general guideline would be to go up a size (down a gauge) if the conductors are CCA. To be clear, I'm not an expert by any stretch. Just things I've picked up, or opinions formed as a jack of all trades, master of none DIY'er.