I have used six-conductor trailer cable for 3-way active speakers. It's slimmer than 8-conductor and inexpensive, so better if you don't need 8. There is a spiral with all the conductors winding around a paper dummy wire at the center. You can see why they have the dummy wire if you arrange seven coins in a circle with one at the middle. I also read somewhere that it's better to make one big spiral for a cluster of wires rather than twisted pairs.
Kicker Power Pipe cable uses this research. Current is carried on the surface more than through the center of a conductor thus improving conductivity. More of an FYI than actually useful in all practical sense. This is not a super conductor where it may have greater influence. Solid copper pipe also works very well, difficult to work with, non flexible (but at least bendable) and not insulated.
could be audioquest claiming that
they have used it extensively
its a inductance/capacitance issue
and maybe something with magnetic field etc
just the usual marketing stuff
the trailer cable sounds like a good idea, and might have the nice tinned wire 😀
Kev,
Twisted won't matter (unless running next to light dimmer output cable) but Horizon SS6 3 Pair Bulk Speaker Snake Cable does use 3 twisted pairs of 13 gauge.
I use a lot of it (since 1987), nice stuff, available for about $2 a foot.
It is a lot more flexible than most of the trailer wire I have seen, much finer stranding.
That helps for the transmission of audio above 250,000 Hz 😉.
Art
For a start it's higher capacitance than a normal speaker cable. But it's thin. OK, you may double up pairs, but that's a messy termination. 4 pairs of 26AWG makes 20AWG, not that great for long speaker wires.
That is not true at audio frequencies. The reason the central core and 6 around it is used is simply because of getting the cores to lay nicely. This is also why an overall twist rather than per-pair twist is used.
Thanks again chaps, I'll go for plain multi-core then, either the trailer stuff or perhaps that larger gauge that Charles D linked to - if it'll fit in the connector etc.
Thanks for the PA store idea, I'll definately have a look.
Cheers
kev
A single multi-way connector just feels like a neat solution - it avoids the possibility of connecting the wrong amp/output to the wrong driver (e.g. the bass to the tweeter), is nicely compact for the back of the amp, easy/quick to use, and still quite cost effective (compared to three separate connectors, for example). Of course, I'm not saying its the 'only' good way of achieving those things, but its one that appeals to me at the mo.
Thanks for the PA store idea, I'll definately have a look.
Cheers
kev
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You can get ready made multiway speakon cables for pro speakers, check nearest stage musician shop or ebay
8 Conductor Speaker Cable | eBay
8 Conductor Speaker Cable | eBay
Thanks, I'd failed to find any at a reasonable price in places like ebay. Unfortunately the link didn't work though?
Cheers
kev
Cheers
kev
use "8 Conductor Speaker Cable" (or 6 conductors) in the ebay search... a bit expensive though (and way too long)
I would suggest using 2 connectors, one for the woofer, and one for mid/tweeter
will be much easier to choose or change the cable
I don't know 100%, but I reckon more than 4-pin connectors can be a real pain to assemble
will be much easier to choose or change the cable
I don't know 100%, but I reckon more than 4-pin connectors can be a real pain to assemble
8 pin Speakons take cable up to 20mm diameter and the 4pin I use was extremely easy to assemble.
The downside is that an 8pin costs nearly £12ea. and £6 for the socket.
The downside is that an 8pin costs nearly £12ea. and £6 for the socket.
Why would you need to change the cable? I think the original logic behind a single cable and connector is good.
8 pole Speakons are not hard to wire up, they are well designed. And still cheaper than audiophile banana plugs, which are not even as good!
8 pole Speakons are not hard to wire up, they are well designed. And still cheaper than audiophile banana plugs, which are not even as good!
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Ah i see, thanks. Crikey yes, thats quite costly - I suppose its partly the length and partly due to there not being any in my country, so the postage it quite expensive. But I see what you mean - I'm sure there'll be something similar in the PA suppliers here.
Cheers
Kev
Cheers
Kev
I once made a single pair with 6x CAT5 plaited together. It was a lot of work, but the results were good on a 5 meter run. They equalled anything else that I had previously used. It would be easy enough to make 3 pairs out of the 48 wires! If you need a project 🙂
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