Acoustic cables for speakers: how to choose?

Acoustic cables for speakers are not as easy to purchase as it seems. In the domestic market there is a wide choice, and they can be bought in any shop where they are engaged in technology. Before you go to the store, you need to assess your financial capabilities. Also it is necessary to determine the quality of manufacturing of such elements as acoustic wires for speakers (which are better to choose, we will consider below). When buying this device, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer, as well as the technical characteristics of its products.

Many people buy speaker cables for speakers without looking, believing that they are suitable for any system. This approach is incorrect, since not every cable will be ideal for a particular system. Therefore, the choice of an acoustic cable for the speakers is a serious matter, requiring a responsible approach. Below we will consider the main criteria.

Speaker cable for speakers: how to choose?

This is a special wire that serves to transmit audio signals from the amplifiers to the speakers. It is an important element in Hi-Fi systems. It happens that the acoustic cable is included in the kit to the speakers, and they are not chosen by chance. They are the most suitable option for a certain type of speaker system. However, if there is no kit, it is necessary to purchase it yourself. The question arises: what is the best speaker cable for speakers? How to choose a quality one?

What should I look for?

In the selection process, you must follow certain rules:

• When buying inexpensive speakers, do not expect that the quality of the acoustic cable will be high;
• If the manufacturer is quite famous, therefore, speaker cables for the speakers are already selected correctly, and are in the box;
• The cross-section of the cable must be wide enough so that the required amount of current passes through it;
• On top the cable must be lacquered, as this coating prevents the occurrence of a short circuit;
• The sound quality should not deteriorate: a good speaker cable should make the sound better;
• The cable resistance should be of an average value, this index affects the level of the transmitted signal, the lower the resistance, the better the signal;
• Acoustic cables for copper columns are the best option. As a rule, 20 copper wires are used for its creation. Each of them is isolated and collected in a single system. Since the diameter of the cable is small, the resistance is not too high. Due to this thickness, the signal is transmitted at high speed, and the quality does not suffer;
• A large diameter speaker cable is used if its length does not exceed 3 meters.

Copper

How to choose an acoustic speaker cable? As mentioned before, the most suitable option is a copper cable. However, when choosing it, you need to look at some details:

1. The speaker cable must be long. When using long cables, small diameters are used, where low resistance values are observed. In this case, the quality and volume of the transmitted sound on the speakers will be high.
2. The acoustic cable must have a marking that indicates the manufacturer. If this label or other data is missing, then the cable is a fake. This type is characterized by poor sound quality and short service life.
3. The cable should indicate the marking, which indicates that the cable is acoustical.
4. The composition of the wires shall be indicated.
5. Pay attention to the thickness of the cable. The smaller it is, the higher the quality of the transmitted sound.
6. Copper cables are produced in various types. Each of them is distinguished by the quality of copper. To date, there are two types: from oxygen-free and single-crystal copper.

Other types

For the production of acoustic cables, other materials are used, which, in combination with copper, give a high-quality sound. Among them are the following types:

1. Composite cables. They consist not only of copper, but also of other metals. For example, the inner part of the cable is made of copper, and the top is covered with a metal alloy.
2. Combined cables. They competently combine metal with non-metal. The most popular cable is where copper and carbon are mixed. In this case, the received acoustic cable has improved technical characteristics.
3. Cable from several kinds of wires. To know which species are used, it is necessary to look at the markings.

It is worth noting that each kind of influence the quality of the sound reproduced in different ways.

Features of each type

As shown by numerous experiments, the best option for the speakers are acoustic wires made of silver. They give a better and clear sound. But there is a significant minus - high cost. He can get a man who has sufficient financial means. The price for it reaches $ 100 per meter.

The next type are acoustic wires made of single-crystal copper. Negative feedback on this species was not noticed. They deliver high-quality sound, even if it has low frequencies.

Elements of oxygen-free copper do not have constancy. That is, they can reproduce sound of different quality. It depends on the manufacturer of the manufacturer.

The composite appearance is characterized by a uniform sound. The negative side is the appearance of distortion of sound. This is because the copper cable is covered with tinned tin. In any case, a copper cable with silver pollination is the best option. The sound is very expressive. It is used when it is necessary to increase the quality of music.

The use of cheap Chinese models is not even discussed. The quality and expressiveness of the sound is low. If there is not enough money, you can buy inexpensive cable, which is produced by a well-known company.

Insulation of acoustic cable

The sound quality is affected by such an indicator as insulation, that is, the material from which it is made. The best option is Teflon treatment. Its quality is much higher than polypropylene.

Cost

Most experts believe that the price of an element depends on the price of the speaker system and should be 10% of its cost. For example, the system was bought for $ 1000, so the cost of an acoustic cable should be at least $ 100.

Buying a cable, you need to build on your own material assets. If not too many, you can buy a small cable from a well-known manufacturer. Instructions are provided for the columns. Sometimes it indicates the description of the cables that are suitable for this system. Such recommendations will save the owner from looking for the required kind.

When connecting the speaker cable to the speakers, the length of the wire should be measured correctly. It must be connected in a straight line, and have no twists. Such defects will affect the quality of the reproduced sound.

Section

Many people have such a question: what is the best speaker cable for speakers? How to choose a section? Everything depends on the transmitted power. The higher it is, the greater the cross section. Signal transmission is significantly affected by the resistance index. This is because many speakers have low impedance. To do this, perform such an experiment. Connect an acoustic cable with a resistance of 1 ohm to the columns, where the resistance is exactly 8 ohms. The final load is determined by summing these two indicators.

In this case, the current reading and the transmitted power are reduced. To achieve the necessary power, it is necessary that the cable resistance is not more than 5% of the impedance when using high frequencies, and for low - no more than 10%.

Ideal speaker cable for speakers, the cross section of which corresponds to specific indicators and is selected for this system. If the wire does not meet the requirements, a different section is taken. Many users use elements from 2.5 to 4 mm.

Connectivity

After buying the necessary wire in the store in front of the person, the question becomes: how to connect the speaker cable to the speakers? Let's consider this operation with an example. Let's connect the passive speakers to the stereo amplifier. Connection to other systems is carried out on the same principle, the difference is only in the number of columns.

So, the speaker cable consists of two wires. On one of them there must be an inscription. This wire is connected to the red terminals. The other wire is connected to the black terminal. It is very important to connect by colors. If this is not done, the sound will not be clear, and also have a low volume.

This principle of polarity connection is made for all loudspeakers.

It happens that the wire is already mounted in the wall, and it is impossible to determine what part to connect to the required terminal. In this case, this method is used:

• A regular 1.5 V battery is bought;
• The fastening of the protective grille of the speakers is untwisted;
• 2 wires are connected to the speakers;
• Then the connection is made according to this scheme: the wire coming from the black terminal is connected to the negative of the battery, and the wire coming from the red terminal to the plus. Further, it is necessary to observe the motion of the membrane of the speakers. It must be carried out on the principle of "outside-inside".
• The speaker cable is connected to the speakers;
• The cable is connected to the battery to achieve the necessary movement of the membrane;
• At positive result of the previous point, the acoustic cable connected to the positive of the battery is connected to the red terminal, and the second wire to the black terminal.

Reviews

Many users choose an acoustic cable made of copper. It is he who gives a clean and high-quality sound. If the financial means allow, it is better to buy a wire with a silver coating. As for the cross-section, many people do not make any calculations and checks, but choose an acoustic cable for the speakers, whose cross-section is in the range of 2.5-4 mm. Its cost, according to experts, should be 10% of the total cost of the speaker system.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you can easily select the speaker cable for the speakers. The cost of cables depends on the material of manufacture, as well as technical characteristics. The selected wire can be installed independently. To do this, follow the special instructions.

So, we found out how to connect the speaker cable to the speakers with your own hands and how to choose this element correctly.