6-way speaker cable

[Kev06]

I'm making some 3-way active speakers; many people build in the amps but for various reasons I've decided to have them separate, so I will need some 3-pair/6-core speaker cable. (I 'could' use three separate pairs but I want to use a single multi-way speakon connector per speaker so it would be neater to use multi-way cable too).

My best option seems to be multi-stranded trailer/caravan cable, which is available reasonably cheaply at either 0.65mm^2 or 1.5mm^2 (roughly 19AWG and ~15.5AWG respectively) and is not too fat or stiff. I 'was' hoping to have the cables very short, but now its looking like the amps will have to be several meters away for WAF, so presumably the larger size cable would be best.

Or is that sort of cable a terrible idea for some reason?

Cheers
Kev

 

[fpitas]

That will probably work fine. Definitely use the larger AWG. The best situation will be if each pair is twisted separately from the other pairs, for magnetic isolation. At audio frequencies that still might not matter very much.

 

[Kev06]

Thanks

I suspect they wouldn't be twisted, particularly not in pairs, for the type of application the cable is intended for - hopefully it won't matter 'too' much.

Cheers
Kev

 

[fpitas]

No, I doubt it will be of practical concern if they're not twisted in pairs, especially for a run of only a few meters.

 

[richie00boy]

In this application the lack of twisting will be of no concern, the impedances at both ends are relatively low.

Glad to see a sensible choice of cable

 

[fpitas]

Still, if you can find caravan cable with oxygen-free unimolecular silver conductors, with Teflon quantum-purified dielectric insulation, you'll hear a world of difference

 

[chris661]

Why not just use 8-pole speakon?

It seems to me to be the only sensible option here.

 

[KatieandDad]

If you want six core cable why not use the cable intended for trailer towing.

 

[richie00boy]

LOL wake up you last two

 

[Kev06]

Thanks chaps, all very reassuring; I think I'll go for it then.

Chris/KatieandDad, yes the plan is indeed to use the 8-pole speakon connectors with this trailer cable. It seems a lot cheaper (and easier to find) than the ready made 8-way speakon cables, though I'm sure they're superior in some ways.

Cheers
Kev

 

[AuroraB]

If you check with industrial electrical or electronics vendors, you'll find plenty of multi conductor cables in larges sizes, both pair twisted and regular. You can even make your own from single conductors and flex braid....

 

[Charles Darwin]

Speaker Cable 6X2.5mm at Studiospares

Sommer Elephant 4X4mm+2X2.5mm at Studiospares

 

[Kev06]

Nice, thanks. Not quite as cheap but still 'very' sensible prices, especially given the larger gauge.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Greebster]

and to add to the conversation a friend from Belgium that is living in Poland atm is going to try balun Cat5/6 ethernet for his solution. Don't know results yet, but doesn't sound like a bad option IMO technically. His distances are a bit longer than yours

 

[Kev06]

Interestingly, I'd done some searches before posting and noticed a few other people using cat5/6 cable for speaker cable, too. Unfortunately I'm struggling to be comfortable with smaller gauges for the power side of things - though I realise thats probably more a reflection on my own ignorance and uncertainties than it is on the actual capability of the cable.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Greebster]

Sorry was thinking small signal application. Cat5e/6 can still be used when bundled to increase capacity. Work quite well IMO

Back eons ago father used telecom cable, typically 44 pair to 100 pair.

 

[richie00boy]

No Kev your thoughts are right. Most people using cat5 double up on the pairs to gain effective capacity, but you wouldn't have that option. Even if you did, networking cable is not suited to speaker cable.

 

[Kev06]

Ah I see, yes the typical 4-pair cat5 cable wouldn't have enough pairs to double them up in my application - it would have to be a type with more pairs.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Greebster]

No Kev your thoughts are right. Most people using cat5 double up on the pairs to gain effective capacity, but you wouldn't have that option. Even if you did, networking cable is not suited to speaker cable.

How so not suitable?! Have many years experience using ethernet cable for just this purpose. Prior to that began with my father telling me a few truths about "audiophile" and real world measurements. That was nearly 40 years ago. It's not that I think it's ok for audio from an audiophiles perspective but from that of an EE with a background in test and measurement, power distribution, control systems and RF communications piled on top of pro audio.

 

[tinitus]

... I want to use a single multi-way speakon connector per speaker ...

why ?

because of your amp ?

btw, look around PA stores
they use this type of cable