15.3 What can I use for budget speaker cables?
Description
This article is from the rec.audio.* FAQ, by with numerous contributions by Bob Neidorff others.
15.3 What can I use for budget speaker cables?
First, a few words on terminology. Wire is sized by AWG or BS
gauge number. Larger numbers represent smaller wire. AWG 40
(also called 40 gauge) is as fine as human hair. AWG 12 is 2mm
or .081" diameter. If you reduce the AWG number by 3 (such as
from 29 to 26) then the wire cross-sectional area increases by
a factor of 2 and the series resistance drops by a factor of 2.
Some wire is classified as solid, because it contains one
strand per conductor. Other wire is called stranded, because
it consists of many strands per conductor. Stranded wire is
far more flexible than solid wire. Most wire is made from
drawn copper. Some wire is sold that is claimed to be made
with a process that produces oxygen-free copper. Oxygen-free
copper has a different metallurgical structure than common
copper and may or may not conduct current better.
Some critical listeners have reported excellent sound from large
diameter solid copper wire, such as home wiring "Romex 12-2".
At least one expert has said that common 18-gauge solid copper
hook-up wire sold by Radio Shack also works very well. Also
recommended on a budget is Sound King wire, a 12 gauge oxygen
free copper stranded cable. This is available from MCM
Electronics for $.39/ft.
Scientifically, thinner wire has more resistance than fatter
wire, so fatter wire will have less resistance-related effects.
Resistance effects can be eliminated by using at least 12
gauge wire, particularly for long runs. Of course, shorter
runs are always preferred, because they come much closer to
the ideal zero-length wire, with no resistance, no
capacitance, no inductance, and no change in signal.
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