Speaker Cable - Where to Buy

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Speaker Cable - Where to Buy - CHEAPLY!

Maxcat

273 posts

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#228809 23-Jan-2018 17:37

I'm putting a second Ht together and this time it's a 'second' system based around spare equipment bought over the years.

This time I'm not using esoteric cable, I just want cheap cable with the longest runs being about 10 metres.

I have been shocked at the cost of it - particularly when you see how thick the plastic outer clear see-through (Monster Cable like!) plastic is and how thin the cable gauge inside actually is.

SO: Does anyone know of cheaper than a dollar a meter speaker cable for sale with say 14 or 16 gauge wire.

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4244 posts

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#1945576 23-Jan-2018 17:42

if you dont mind waiting a week or two for delivery, then you cant go past Aliexpress.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Wade

2225 posts

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#1945585 23-Jan-2018 18:30

Bunnings do a fairly basic 1.5mm2 cable for $25/25mtrs

Can't find it on their website but bought a roll last week,

nickb800

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#1945590 23-Jan-2018 18:36

Keen to hear where your benchmark $1/m 14/16 gauge is from.

Jaycar have 'heavy duty' (16 AWG i think) $39 for 30m which I think is pretty good, and have used a bit

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/heavy-duty-speaker-cable-30m-roll/p/WB1709

driller2000

935 posts

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#1945636 23-Jan-2018 18:55

As per other posts above.

"Specialist" cable is pretty much an overpriced scam. Lots of articles about this out there.

http://www.ecoustics.com/articles/audio-cables-fact-fiction-revealed/

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#introduction

PS: "Audiophiles" wanting to argue the point can exit stage left - as far smarter people than I have argued this point over the last few decades - using science - and not the pseudo type - so I wont be engaging.....

Wade

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#1945639 23-Jan-2018 19:02

Some say the current travels around the edge of each strand so while copper is fundamentally copper higher strand count "audio" cable could be argued as superior

richms

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#1945674 23-Jan-2018 19:56

Wade: Some say the current travels around the edge of each strand so while copper is fundamentally copper higher strand count "audio" cable could be argued as superior

Some say resting your cable on little stands will help with the audio, as well as swapping the volume knob out for an esoteric hardwood.

Audio frequencies are not RF, thinking of them as the same is just silly.

I got a roll of thinish stuff for cheap as from surplustronics last time I was in there, 18 gauge they called it, unsure what mm^2 it was, but it fits in the crap terminals of my cheap HT amp upstairs which the giant stuff I have around the place wouldnt do.

Richard rich.ms

Tinkerisk

4227 posts

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#1945696 23-Jan-2018 20:11

I use standard vanilla copper 4mm² grey industrial installation wire (doubled and without the esoteric aura and oxygen-free options) since decades. It showed up to be compatible with any analog and digital innovation from the past. For the amp's and speaker's terminals I use soldered 4mm² banana plugs with silver (or if you like: gold) plating.

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sparkz25

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#1945702 23-Jan-2018 20:15

fire alarm cable lol, the new tinned stranded stuff works, thats what i use, was left over on a job and was 2mm i think

Maxcat

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1945825 24-Jan-2018 08:04

Thanks Nick. I'll check out the Jaycar cable.

I've had a good run from their gear and the team there always seems to be warm and welcoming and helpful (Tauranga store).

The wider cable argument is always good for some heat - surpassed only by the speaker/cable/caps 'break-in' debate.

Both arguments I avoid these days!

wazzageek

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#1945838 24-Jan-2018 09:17

I bought from JA Russell when I did my cabling - They did say I could bring back what I didn't use and get a refund, but I'm currently contemplating running a second pair through to the dining room for when I get approval for the new amp. They did claim at the time it was expensive (I think the roll was about 80m or so, maybe more, maybe less) ... but it was cheaper than buying a 10m monster cable ..

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1946179 24-Jan-2018 16:53

Speaker cable? Pffttt! Power cable upgrades is where it's at:

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Cables-Interconnects-Leads/Cables-Interconnects-leads-rca-cable/Nordost-Odin-2-Reference-Power-Cord-Cable-__I.114445__C.27316__N.27756

;-)

Tinkerisk

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#1946181 24-Jan-2018 17:00

grolschie: Speaker cable? Pffttt! Power cable upgrades is where it's at:

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Cables-Interconnects-Leads/Cables-Interconnects-leads-rca-cable/Nordost-Valhalla-2-Reference-Power-Cord-Cable-__I.70945__C.27316__N.27756

;-)

You must workin' in a fire dept. - true?

grolschie

911 posts

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#1946186 24-Jan-2018 17:03

(Edited url in comment above to point to a really insanely priced cable.)

wazzageek

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#1946200 24-Jan-2018 17:31

grolschie: Speaker cable? Pffttt! Power cable upgrades is where it's at:

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Cables-Interconnects-Leads/Cables-Interconnects-leads-rca-cable/Nordost-Odin-2-Reference-Power-Cord-Cable-__I.114445__C.27316__N.27756

;-)

WTF? I would love to go visit a "studio" where a cable such as this is warranted.

(Studio in quotes, as that would seem the only place that would go to that level)

richms

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#1946239 24-Jan-2018 19:13

Watch those fancy power cables. Saw one where the back of the plug was metal, and the terminals were in the same area as it. Looked to be reasonably compliant front half, had shrouded pins and the right diameter etc which is more than any of the chinese plugs have, but I saw no molded in approval number which is needed, and there was no double insulation before the metal cover at the back so wouldnt pass any sensible tests at all.

Richard rich.ms

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