sickindian
Well-known member
Can anyone confirm that my tone will improve if instead guitar cable i will use proper speaker cable?
Thanks
Thanks
- Thread starter sickindian
- Start date
universe777
Well-known member
just don't try it the otherway around and use instument cable for your speakers!
ShaneV
Well-known member
Using guitar cable in place of speaker cable is actually dangerous for your amp head. I'd switch ASAP, regardless of tone quality.
beej
Moderator
Speaker cable is heavy duty, usually non-shielded. Instrument cable is coaxial (shielded).
You can use speaker cable if you like ... but it's total overkill and you'll likely pick up a lot of interference (hum).
And yeah ... never use instrument cable from your amp to speakers. Not designed to handle any significant power.
You can use speaker cable if you like ... but it's total overkill and you'll likely pick up a lot of interference (hum).
And yeah ... never use instrument cable from your amp to speakers. Not designed to handle any significant power.
sickindian
Well-known member
Pro Quality Speaker cable, Evolution OFC, 1x2m 1x1m on eBay, also, Cables Leads, Pro Audio Equipment, Musical Instruments (end time 19-Jun-09 19:18:54 BST)
What do you think about these?any good?
What do you think about these?any good?
beej
Moderator
They look fine for speaker cable. (But I don't know what they normally cost in your neck of the woods.)
Gauge is the thing that really matters with speaker cable. You want enough copper to handle all that current. I don't buy into all the "oxygen free copper" nonsense for the same reason I don't in guitar cables, but everybody should use their ears and see what they think.
I have a bunch of speaker cables and don't notice any differences. I often use old heavy duty power cable (from an old vaccuum, lamp, etc.) and just solder some ends to it.
Gauge is the thing that really matters with speaker cable. You want enough copper to handle all that current. I don't buy into all the "oxygen free copper" nonsense for the same reason I don't in guitar cables, but everybody should use their ears and see what they think.
I have a bunch of speaker cables and don't notice any differences. I often use old heavy duty power cable (from an old vaccuum, lamp, etc.) and just solder some ends to it.
sickindian
Well-known member
to he honest i just bought it as my amp started to sound strange.I can hear somekind of low tone hum even if i unplug my guitar. Im to tired to think about the price its probably a bit pricey but hey ho... hope i cant hear any noise after i plug new cables.
Thanks for help guys!
Thanks for help guys!
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
Just like Beej I use a good piece of power cable and solder some jacks on.
In Maplins, Neutrik Jacks are about £3.50 and a length of power cable will cost you £1 - £2. You'll have a speaker lead that will last you a lifetime for under a tenner.
In Maplins, Neutrik Jacks are about £3.50 and a length of power cable will cost you £1 - £2. You'll have a speaker lead that will last you a lifetime for under a tenner.
Superunknown
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2005
- Messages
- 34
Evidence Siren I speaker cable.....
bkrumme
Well-known member
All those "high-end" cable manufacturers are selling you snake oil. Even if they can prove their cable works better, it's going to be a marginal improvement and you'll likely not be able to hear a difference. Do what Spud or Beej said, or just get a nice thick speaker cable. Something like a 10 or 12 gauge cable should work just fine.
sickindian
Well-known member
Thanks for advice Guys. Can you also tell me if the resistance got anything to do with the sound in this case?
beej
Moderator
Shouldn't make any significant difference, especially considering the short distances we're talking for speaker cable.
sickindian
Well-known member
Fair enough. I regret that i've bought the cables mentioned above, if i knew that before i bought them i would have 20 quid in my pocket ;/ right now.
Im glad that i can ask you guys a question and get rapid answer.
Im glad that i can ask you guys a question and get rapid answer.
GHWelles
Well-known member
I made a speaker cable for my combo amp out of low voltage lighting wire. The gauge is HUGE.
tommyindelaware
Well-known member
do yourself a favor ........& do a double blindfold test w/ a cheap cable & the snake oil dipped high priced cables.
bkrumme
Well-known member
I did just that not too long ago. Sold all of the SP1000 cables I had on eBay. Got most of my money back. Snake oil worked for me, too!
ShaneV
Well-known member
I can't see an argument for spending a ton on speaker cable- noise is a non-issue, and speaker cable shouldn't really be moving once it's plugged in, nor should it be stepped on, etc. (leaving your speaker cables where people could trip on them and unplug them = transformer roulette, and the cable breaking is pretty much the least of your problems in that case).
My speaker cables are all old, and I can't remember at all what kind they are- certainly not high end, but they've outlasted a few amp heads at this point. I've only had one die on me, and it was my fault for backing my cabinet right up against the wall and bending the cable real bad. A quick cut and dab of solder and we were back in business (fortunately I caught the bad cable before using it again).
My speaker cables are all old, and I can't remember at all what kind they are- certainly not high end, but they've outlasted a few amp heads at this point. I've only had one die on me, and it was my fault for backing my cabinet right up against the wall and bending the cable real bad. A quick cut and dab of solder and we were back in business (fortunately I caught the bad cable before using it again).
Tim O'Sullivan
Well-known member
I am of the opinion that all high end cables are nonsense, especially in the guitar world. When the drummer starts bashing away, you will never tell the difference!
Volt
Well-known member
I use a minimum of 16 AWG copper speaker wire - the NEC rates it for up to 10 amps continuous.
Larger wire I have found to be difficult to work with when trying to solder it to a 1/4 inch speaker plug. If the amp has two speaker jacks then I use both of them, when applicable and where possible.
FYI:
A 200 watt RMS amp driving a 4 ohm load will be pushing 7.07 amps at full rated power. A 400 watt RMS amp will push 10.0 amps (14 amps peak) into the same load, and 14 amps RMS (20 amps peak) into a 2 ohm load..
Copper wire and low resistance connectors are very important, especially if your speakers are connected as a 2 ohm load. Except for silver, copper is the best conductor of electricity (better than gold)..............silver would of course be cost prohibitive to use for speaker wire.
From the NEC:
16 AWG: up to 10A
14 AWG: up to 15A
12 AWG: up to 20A
Larger wire I have found to be difficult to work with when trying to solder it to a 1/4 inch speaker plug. If the amp has two speaker jacks then I use both of them, when applicable and where possible.
FYI:
A 200 watt RMS amp driving a 4 ohm load will be pushing 7.07 amps at full rated power. A 400 watt RMS amp will push 10.0 amps (14 amps peak) into the same load, and 14 amps RMS (20 amps peak) into a 2 ohm load..
Copper wire and low resistance connectors are very important, especially if your speakers are connected as a 2 ohm load. Except for silver, copper is the best conductor of electricity (better than gold)..............silver would of course be cost prohibitive to use for speaker wire.
From the NEC:
16 AWG: up to 10A
14 AWG: up to 15A
12 AWG: up to 20A
