How do I choose a subwoofer cable? (1 Viewer)

[Roger D]

I'm getting close to owning my first subwoofer and need to buy a cable to connect it.

What things should I consider when buying a cable? i.e. does length of cable affect performance?

What is a subwoofer cable? Could I just use a regular coax audio cable that I use for my dvd player?

Any recommendations of cheap to reasonably priced cables? Nothing too expensive.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

Subwoofer signals are the easiest of all audio signals to transmit so any decently made RCA cable will work. (I'm using an old Radio Shack Video cable at the moment). I have also used ordinary CATV coax with "F" connectors, and 2 "F-to-RCA-Male" adaptors to make a 25' cable.

The only thing to watch for is snug-fitting RCA plugs. Subwoofers seem to like tight plugs. This is one of the few things that Monster brand has going for it: turbine-grip-of-death RCA plugs.

One word of warning:

Sometimes hooking up a self-powered subwoofer causes a ground-loop hum. One of the ways to solve the hum is to buy a special "Subwoofer" cable with little arrows to show the signal flow. This cable is actually a broken RCA cable because the shield-wire is NOT connected at one end. This breaks the ground-loop. This would be the only reason to buy a "Subwoofer" cable.

Hope this helps.

 

[Roger D]

I might just use a cheap video cable with the yellow RCA connector. Or I might just buy a "subwoofer" cable. I found this one (link below) at cablesforless. Is gold plating really important? This doesn't appear to have it.

http://www.cablesforless.com/index.a...OD&ProdID=2718

 

[DougR]

X

 

[Grant B]

I would try the video cable you have before you spend money.
No Buzzing or drop-outs and it sounds good;you are set!