If I run two speaker cables (ie 4 cores) to one speaker from my surround amp and double up on each terminal would it give me the same as if I had used a thicker core cable?
I have a large roll of thin speaker cable and was wondering if I could use it by doubling up or would it cause any adverse effects on the sound quality?
Hi, read a report in The Absolute Sound a while ago and the bottom line was 12 gauge( AWG) extension cord worked as excellent speaker cable and cheap. What u suggest will work, but u may encounter problems getting all the wire to stay wrapped together, and if not then the resistance to the speakers may not be the same side to side and may cause probs. Cheaper and better just 2 use good heavy gauge extension cords with ends (eg from Home Depot) cut off as good speaker cable.
nallalfc, i would not recommend doing that especially if you have an highend system just get some 12 gauge or at least 14 gauge wire and do it right
if you don't have a highend system you aren't going to notice a difference anyway. the 12 gauge helps the bottom end on a highend system but not that much
Originally posted by zudzig: Iluvendo ... I hope you don't mind my two cents. If you do as Iluvendo suggests, just be damned sure you connecting positive to positive and negative to negative ... its easy to trip up because while what Iluvendo is correct, the wire he speaks of usually doesn't have positive and negative marked on the wire so just be careful.
A note about cheap wire ... whether is thin or thick, there is more to it than the mere insulation. Well conducting metals are more expensive so while you may see some real "bargains" 14g, 16g etc speaker wire, remember that even if the wire is good and thick, it doesn't amount to much is 90% of that thick wire is tin or some other cheap metal that doesn't conduct well. You needn't buy monster, its a waste of money, plain ol radio shack etc if fine but avoid bargains from companies you've never heard of. Its a bit scam thing that a lot of home theater people are getting sucked into.
Brother zudzig, remember wire is insulator color coated, so goofing up pos/neg is not easy to do unless blk/wht color blind.
Also most of the extension cables even in the US are 99+% copper, while not 4 nine copper, but good enough (also not oxygen free either)
My problem with your concern with tin as a poor conductor is that electronic solder on pc boards is usually 60/40 tin/lead. If it is good enough for electronics, why not speaker cable?
My point, the "experts" from THE ABSOLUTE SOUND thought enough of copper extension cable they recommended it with high honors
