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Speaker wire...

post #1 of 22
4/30/08 at 4:25pm
Thread Starter 
Since I have new speakers coming it seems like I should ask what is recommended. Is all speaker wire the same? Is a certain gauge best?

In case it matters I'm waiting on SVS sbs-01 speakers with a Sony STR DE675 receiver.

Also, will any subwoofer cable work or are certain ones better? I don't want to fall for the monster cable overpricing.
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post #2 of 22
4/30/08 at 5:42pm

Re: Speaker wire...

You are wise to avoid Monster.

All cable of the same gauge is essentially the same. For shorter runs you could get away with 16awg. Runs longer than 30 feet or in the walls should probably be 12awg. I personally just use 12awg for everything since the price isn't that much different.

For a subwoofer, just get an RG-6 cable with an RCA-type connector.

I got my most recent cables from Blue Jeans Cables and have been very pleased.
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post #3 of 22
5/1/08 at 9:13am

Re: Speaker wire...

You can also get your speaker wire at Home Depot and pay by the foot.

Other places to buy cable at reasonable prices are Blue Jeans Cable as Seth mentioned, or Monoprice.

Definitely keep your hard earned money as far away from Monster as you can.
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post #4 of 22
5/1/08 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Speaker wire...

I have a lot of extra speaker wire at work that I think will do that job. This is what it says on the cable...

dominator custom series 16/2 type cm (ul) e156866 or type cl3

I'm pretty sure it's made for inwall, at least it would make sense. It was used in a fireworks store so I'm assuming the former manager bought safer wire to run in here.

So will that work as well as anything else? I don't need much and there's a LOT here.
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post #5 of 22
5/6/08 at 11:16pm

Re: Speaker wire...

where is a good place to get bi wire speaker cables?
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post #6 of 22
5/7/08 at 5:44am

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by HT ROB
where is a good place to get bi wire speaker cables?

Most just use two lengths of regular wire. Personally, I've never found bi-wiring to make any difference, either accoustically or scientifically, unless you are using separate amplifiers/channels to drive each connection.
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post #7 of 22
5/7/08 at 8:10am

Re: Speaker wire...

That wire label 16/2 means "two conductors of 16 gauge" I would get fatter wire...like 12 gauge.
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post #8 of 22
5/7/08 at 3:40pm

Re: Speaker wire...

where is a good place to get bi wire speaker cables?


You could just pretend it was biwired and it should have the same effect
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post #9 of 22
5/7/08 at 4:33pm

Re: Speaker wire...

can you use standard rca cables or component cables as subwoffer cables? is their really a difference?
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post #10 of 22
5/7/08 at 5:45pm

Re: Speaker wire...

I've had experience with monoprice and give them a for price and service.

They were much cheaper than anyone else and quick delivery for a nice, professional cable.
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post #11 of 22
5/8/08 at 8:40am

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by SethH
where is a good place to get bi wire speaker cables?


You could just pretend it was biwired and it should have the same effect

+1!

And it's true!
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post #12 of 22
5/8/08 at 7:40pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Driscoll
+1!

And it's true!

Well I have some now but I have had them awhile. We just upgraded our speakers to Monitor Audio GS10's . We should get them on the 14th, I will try it both ways and let you know what I think. These speakers are amazing! and very transparent and detailed so if there is a difference it will show with these speakers.
The 14th will not come soon enough!
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post #13 of 22
5/9/08 at 2:48am

Re: Speaker wire...

These speakers are amazing! and very transparent and detailed so if there is a difference it will show with these speakers.


Make sure you do that testing "blind." Get a friend or family member to adjust the setup without you knowing which is which. Otherwise you may hear a difference because you want to hear a difference.

Now, if you get into biamping, that is a different ballgame all together, but also adds expense.
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post #14 of 22
5/9/08 at 6:11pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by SethH
These speakers are amazing! and very transparent and detailed so if there is a difference it will show with these speakers.


Make sure you do that testing "blind." Get a friend or family member to adjust the setup without you knowing which is which. Otherwise you may hear a difference because you want to hear a difference.

Now, if you get into biamping, that is a different ballgame all together, but also adds expense.

Yes! THEY CAME IN EARLY! Man these are beautiful!.......ok back to the topic. Since these speakers are bi-amp-able just want to see if it's worht it
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post #15 of 22
5/10/08 at 10:49am

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by HT ROB
Yes! THEY CAME IN EARLY! Man these are beautiful!.......ok back to the topic. Since these speakers are bi-amp-able just want to see if it's worht it


What are you using for the second amplifier and external crossovers?
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post #16 of 22
5/10/08 at 12:20pm

Re: Speaker wire...

How refreshing to see a BS-free discussion of speaker wire and wiring.

In terms of sources of cable, also try ebay. I picked up an insane quantity of Philips basic standard speaker wire which cost less than the mailing charge.

One very boring but practical point - always allow a bit more speaker wire than you need at the moment. You might think your system is perfectly set up now, but if later on you want to tinker with speaker positions or you for some reason have to change the layout of the room, there is nothing more annoying than realising that your cut exactly to length piece of wire is now a yard too short ...
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post #17 of 22
5/10/08 at 5:33pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Now, if you get into biamping, that is a different ballgame all together, but also adds expense.[/QUOTE]



bi-amping is the way to go, it opens up a whole other window, but it costs. the question is, is it worth it, the answer is yes.
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post #18 of 22
5/10/08 at 11:16pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
I've had experience with monoprice and give them a for price and service.

They were much cheaper than anyone else and quick delivery for a nice, professional cable.

I agree they have good prices from what i have seen.
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post #19 of 22
5/12/08 at 2:00pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Driscoll
What are you using for the second amplifier and external crossovers?

Ok sorry Dan just realized I'm trying to bi-wire and not bi-amp them . I'm using Denon's 3808. The little I have had time to fool around with this,there is a difference. I'm a newbie with this so not sure how to explain this. The volume doesn't have to be turned as far for the same sound and i guess the soundstage is larger or wider I guess. There is a little more detail to the sound also.
So you could just raise the volume but I think that wouldn't do anything for the detail. Just my own observation so take it for what is worth.

ps. on a side note we are so glad we went with Monitor Audio.We listened to alot of speakers and we found nothing that came close to these speakers for what we paid. Did we find something better? Oh yes but we would have to spend 2-3 times more $ in order to do so.The better speakers were no where near the extra $.
They are just amazing!
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post #20 of 22
5/12/08 at 5:12pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Take a look at what R. Russell has to say about speaker wire.
Goggle search Roger Russell / Speaker wire.
I tried to post the url but since I'm a newbie they wouldn't allow it.

Snowscaper
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post #21 of 22
5/13/08 at 1:02pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by macnerd77
I agree they have good prices from what i have seen.

Does monoprice have bi wire speaker cable? I couldn't find any on there web site.
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post #22 of 22
5/13/08 at 1:10pm

Re: Speaker wire...

Quote:
Originally Posted by HT ROB
Does monoprice have bi wire speaker cable? I couldn't find any on there web site.

There is no such thing. Just use two lengths of regular wire. Better yet, just use one length, because bi-wiring is yet another scam to sell more wire.
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