Speaker cable: What do you use?

[Myron Stratis]

So what cable do you use to connect your head --> cab? What is you favorite cable?

[RichSZ]

Home Depot brand 14 guage speaker/lamp cord. Switchcraft jacks.

Just to be sure I froze the cord and hung it vertically so I could get all the copper grain flowing in one direction....(the following phrase was meant sarcastically :D , but the first sentence is 100% true).

[Myron Stratis]

Originally posted by fzfwyv
Home Depot brand 14 guage speaker/lamp cord. Switchcraft jacks.

Just to be sure I froze the cord and hung it vertically so I could get all the copper grain flowing in one direction....(the following phrase was meant sarcastically :D , but the first sentence is 100% true).

:D

[MightyGuru]

Canare.

Inexpensive and good.

[Bloomfield fan]

I have been using the Evidence Audio Siren for a few months and been very happy.

[Scumback Speakers]

Home Depot 16 guage zip cord here, too. No problems with it, and it's black & red, so no doubt about which is hot, which is ground. :D

I've tried the Monster cable, the expensive speaker cable from other manufacturers, and at the end of the day, 100 feet of 16 guage zip wire for $20 is a completely acceptable speaker wire.

[philster]

I have used a bunch including home made, but the Mulder cable is the finest by a long shot. It has been one of the best $ to performance ratio items I ever put in my rig.

[hoochiecoochie]

I am currently using Monster Cable 11 gauge Canare is next on the list. Absolute Sound (the high end stereo freaks - people that spend more on a cables than most of spend for our boutique amps) actually have give good reviews on Radio Shack 16 gauge lamp cord and they or Stereophile now recommend Home Depot orange and black power cords for speaker cables. I think they are 12 gauge cables. Just cut off the ends and wire them up.

[cocheese]

I have a Vans Evers Blue Nile which I like.

[Macaroni]

Evidence Audio Siren is the best one I have, and a close second is the new Bayou speaker cable.

[Scott Peterson]

Bayou Cables speaker cable. Never happier.

[riverastoasters]

Originally posted by Myron Stratis
So what cable do you use to connect your head --> cab? What is you favorite cable?

As long as it's big enough and made out of copper it's not a big deal. 14 gauge zip cord works fine.

[glasman]

Carol Cable 14-2 SJ00W available at (where else) Home Depot. Heavy duty jacket resists everything you will find in a bar.....


Gary

[larc]

Another Evidence Audio Siren user here too.

[Chris - CMWamps]

VoodooAmps 50/50 speaker cable... tight & detailed.

[LavaMan]

Canare.

[V846]

I make my own using Kimber with Neutrik plugs.. Also have used vacuum cleaner cord , looks to be 16 gauge with Switchcraft jacks and worked very good as well.

David

[gkelm]

Originally posted by Scumbag
Home Depot 16 guage zip cord here, too. No problems with it, and it's black & red, so no doubt about which is hot, which is ground. :D

I've tried the Monster cable, the expensive speaker cable from other manufacturers, and at the end of the day, 100 feet of 16 guage zip wire for $20 is a completely acceptable speaker wire.

This stuff work well inside cabs too?
Greg

[pureoldsound]

Originally posted by Chris - CMWamps
VoodooAmps 50/50 speaker cable... tight & detailed.

+1

[RL in Fla]

Originally posted by glasman
Carol Cable 14-2 SJ00W available at (where else) Home Depot. Heavy duty jacket resists everything you will find in a bar.....

+1 on the yellow Carol stuff for extension cables :AOK
another +1 for 16ga zipcord inside cabs

[lhallam]

Originally posted by gkelm
This stuff work well inside cabs too?
Greg

Yes. According to Kevin O'Connor from London Power in his DIY spkr cab book, the Canadian equivalent to the Underwriter's Laboratory has determined through testing that there is no difference between lamp cord and high-dollar spkr wire.

[gkelm]

Originally posted by lhallam
Yes. According to Kevin O'Connor from London Power in his DIY spkr cab book, the Canadian equivalent to the Underwriter's Laboratory has determined through testing that there is no difference between lamp cord and high-dollar spkr wire.

Thanks. I love it when cheap stuff works great. :D

[Ed DeGenaro]

Evidence Siren...

[KLINKDETROIT]

I use Voodoo amps 50/50 speaker cable for my cabs internally and to the head. Sound great and we tested a bunch. It even makes a difference in the direction the signal path goes as with any cable one direction has less lows and highs and more mids while the other has slightly scooped mids with more highs and lows. Check out any cable you own and see.

[Laroosco!]

I've used the same spectraflex speaker cable for the past 12 years.

[El Kabong]

Analysis Plus; open, warm and detailed with a wide tonal spectrum. It likes modern amps over vintage.

[mbratch]

Home Depot brand 14 guage speaker/lamp cord. Switchcraft jacks.
+1 on that. Simple and effective.

[rocketboss]

Evidence Audio Siren. Awesome!

[Blueser]

I tried many different speaker cables, and the ones I like the best are the Monster Pro Link 1000. I also like my Mulder X-Cable very much in my Carr Rambler, but I have not tried them on a cabinet. If I were going that route, I would probably go with the Mulder.

B

[prsflame]

I am using a Bayou cable to connect my head/cab. Awesome quality for the $. I've also used Monster cables in the past, and have had good luck with these as well.

[backwater]

15A mains cable with Neutrik speaker jacks - whether 3 feet to a cab or 30 feet to the other side of the stage! :)

[alguit]

Here's one more Evidence user for the mix!

[ccoker]

got Mulder cables last week
he did a custom cable for me the day I emailed him and 2 days later I had it

sounds great, good guy to deal with

[Patch]

Canare

[aeolian]

Yes. According to Kevin O'Connor from London Power in his DIY spkr cab book, the Canadian equivalent to the Underwriter's Laboratory has determined through testing that there is no difference between lamp cord and high-dollar spkr wire.
And they figured this out how? Have you ever been in the UL lab? I have. Not exactly a cutting edge tech center. They are concerned with safety. They could pass high voltage from a hi-pot tester though it, or burn it in a oven or their flame propagation chamber. All kinds of things that would allow them to say that cable x posed no more danger from mis-use than cable y. But beyond hooking it to the boom box in somebodies office, they have no more authority on the audio qualities than the "electrical specialist" in Home Depot isle 9. There is no way they could perform something as basic as a full audio bandwidth FFT for example. Unless they happend to have an Audio Precision tester laying around that they were certifying the power supply for.
Not to fan the flames of whether wire a or b sounds different, but to invoke a safety testing lab as an arbiter doesn't seem to hold much water to me.
There is an old maxim in audio that I've mentioned before, if two things measure the same but sound different, then you're measuring the wrong thing. Our technical understanding of things like audio continues to improve. We now have the ability to measure many things that were impossible 20 or 30 years ago. Sometimes we've been able to technically explain why things sounded different even though they measured the same 20 years ago. Who's to say that 20 years from now, we might be able to measure, model and predict the sonic characteristics of speaker wire.

So I'm interesting in hearing more about the Evidence and Mulder cables. I've tried a bunch of different patch cords and found the sonic signature I like. Characterizations of the sound of different speaker cables would help shorten that search. Isn't that what we're here for? To share our experiences?

[Rick0]

I've been happy with Two-Rock Crystal Clear speaker cables, but It wouldn't bother me to use a lamp cord.

RickO

[Sharkey]

Canare with Neutrik connectors.:AOK

[number9]

I note that I have seen some say lamp cord, home depot, even the expensive
Kimber (I must admit, I use the Kimber in my home stereo to go from my class A
amp to my B&W's, but that is just me)...

I have not seen anyone mention GeorgeL... am I the only person using this stuff?
I use their speaker cable (externally) as it is really flexible, and as with their MI cable,
the ends are easy to make up. I will admit, however, that they seem to be a little
more finiky to "get it right" when you make them up than with the MI cable ends. I
have not had one fail on me, however.

Inside cabs, it depends on the situation, for a 4x12 cab, I will use big "lamp cord"
or if the customer is esoteric, Kimber or some other high end stuff. For general use
Carol or Canary is very good too, no complaints. I think if we wanted to hear the
difference we would need some hi-fi stuff and not guitar amps, though :)

Just my $0.02.

[Shea]

And they figured this out how? Have you ever been in the UL lab? I have. ...

It wasn't just them. Other people have done listening tests with speaker cables, and found no audible difference between cheap zip cord and expensive, high-end stuff. What matters is low resistance, so as long as the guage of the wire is heavy enough, the connections are solid enough, and there's no corrosion, any wire will do. Granted, the potential corrosion problem rules out the cheapest of the cheap stuff, but there's still no reason to spend $100 or more on a speaker cable.

This article discusses a lot of the research that's been done: http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

There is an old maxim in audio that I've mentioned before, if two things measure the same but sound different, then you're measuring the wrong thing.

And oftentimes, the question of why one component sounds better to someone than another one that measures the same can be readily explained by one simple, objective, easily-measured criterion: the price he paid for it.

Characterizations of the sound of different speaker cables would help shorten that search. Isn't that what we're here for? To share our experiences?

Yeah, and some people have shared the experience that Home Depot zip cord sounds just as good as any other speaker cable.

Shea

[aeolian]

Not to get into a pissing contest Shea, but I think you're missing the point. This is the gear page, full of tweak stuff. Comparing what someone perceives as superior sounding cable to zip cord because the resistance is the same is like comparing a Suhr to a Squire. To some folks it might not make any difference, and a good player can get great sounds out of either. But to some people, there is a difference. One that they are willing to seek out and pay substantial sums for. I personally wire my cabs with 14AWG twisted pair and use home made 12AWG speaker cables. But I also know that there is a subtle difference that matters to some people.

If someone wants to say that zip cord from Home Depot is fine with them, then that's great. That speaks to the subject title. "What speaker cable do you use". Seems like it's about 50% basic wire, 30% for Evidence, and then a host of others.

Saying that their Mulder cable has this or that characteristic also speaks to the subject. "I use this cable because it does this".

What I object to is the flat earth pooh-pooing that anything other than basic lamp cord is useless. Just because some people can't tell the difference doesn't mean there isn't one. If that were true, we'd all be playing first generation transistor amps, as I can show you on a scope how it is exactly the same as a /13.

[oxtone]

Years ago I went down to my local electronics shop, bought a bunch of really thick copper speaker wire, some huge 1/4" jacks, and soldered six different lengths. They've all worked and sounded great for many years.

[57special]

Mulder. I compared it to Monster, Canare, hardware store 14 and 16 G. with Neutrik ends. It was obviously better to my ears. I sent an X-cable to a friend of mine to try out in his BFDR. I had the same amp , and noticed a big difference, so i wanted him to check it out to see if i was nuts. He said there was a clear difference also (he's been playing since the 60's, and has had everything). When he told the sound engineers at the TV station where he works about them, they said cables should make no difference.
Guess we're wrong again. What do we know we're only guitarists.

[Shea]

Comparing what someone perceives as superior sounding cable to zip cord because the resistance is the same is like comparing a Suhr to a Squire.

I respectfully disagree, because there are far more variables in a guitar than in a speaker cable. So it's not a fair comparison.

What I object to is the flat earth pooh-pooing that anything other than basic lamp cord is useless.

Why object to it? It's just another opinion, which is just as valid and worth posting as anyone else's opinion.

Just because some people can't tell the difference doesn't mean there isn't one.

And I believe that just because some people do hear a difference doesn't mean that it really exists. Oftentimes, the differences that people perceive between two components when they know which is which will disappear in blind A/B testing. And the more money someone spends on something, the more he'll be predisposed to believe that it sounds better.

Now, I certainly don't expect everyone to agree with that. But there are some people who do, and I think we ought to be able to share that viewpoint here when it's germane to the topic as long as we don't personally belittle anyone for having the opposing point of view.

Shea

[mbratch]

I heard somewhere once that the more you pay for your food, the better it tastes. :p

[Roccaforte Amps]

ProCo= Belden wire, and Switchcraft ends. no snake oil needed,
and you'll still be able to pay yours bills.

[mprvise]

I have not seen anyone mention GeorgeL... am I the only person using this stuff?
I use their speaker cable (externally) as it is really flexible, and as with their MI cable,
the ends are easy to make up. I will admit, however, that they seem to be a little
more finiky to "get it right" when you make them up than with the MI cable ends. I
have not had one fail on me, however.

Yep, GeorgeL user here. I usually just buy the pre made 3 foot sections. Relatively cheap, sounds good, no failures. :AOK

[57special]

I respectfully disagree, because there are far more variables in a guitar than in a speaker cable. So it's not a fair comparison.



Why object to it? It's just another opinion, which is just as valid and worth posting as anyone else's opinion.



And I believe that just because some people do hear a difference doesn't mean that it really exists. Oftentimes, the differences that people perceive between two components when they know which is which will disappear in blind A/B testing. And the more money someone spends on something, the more he'll be predisposed to believe that it sounds better.

Now, I certainly don't expect everyone to agree with that. But there are some people who do, and I think we ought to be able to share that viewpoint here when it's germane to the topic as long as we don't personally belittle anyone for having the opposing point of view.

Shea

I agree that i would like to discuss things w/o people resorting to negativity. It's only stuff, it's not like we're talking about our mothers.
I HAVE AB'ed Mulder Audio stuff (as i said in an earlier post) with Monster, lamp cable , old Fender harness's, and Canare. I heard a difference significant enough for me to pay the not inconsiderable extra $$ for the Mulder cables. In another post, Bill (Babaji?) posted about old vacuum cleaner cord as excellent speaker cable. He was half-laughed off the board, especially by scientific types who could (verbally) prove it was BS. I would've believed them, except that i know Bill is a terrific player who's been around a long time. I think he's worth listening to if he suggests something.
My point is, don't say something can't make a difference unless you've tried it!
BTW, i've heard very good things about your 18 watters and Tweed Twin type amps.

[MARCO]

Tributaries and Sound King are the best as far as I am concerned. These have the big Neutrik connectors....solid stuff !!

[Fishin'Musician]

Modern technology has blessed us with equipment that can analyze and chart frequency response far beyond what is audible to the human ear.
So far I have found very little if any specs or frequency response charts that support any of the claims of these high dollar cable suppliers. They pretty much just rely on personal testimony or their "ears". Or explanations based on logical and scientific sounding solutions that upon further investigation end up having very little real relevance to what we can audibly hear. If you want to believe there is some "magical" or "mojo" frequency that we as musicians can hear or "sense" that is undetectable to the modern analyzers, then great. If that gives you confidence, I salute you. If you have the kind of money to throw hundreds of dollars at cabling, I envy you. I honestly do not believe the hype, but I respect the opinions of those of you who believe you can hear a difference. From where I'm sitting, it just looks like good old capitalism at it's finest. There's always going to be someone who wants to pay more for something than someone else. And there's always someone who will spend a lot more. And there will hopefully be someone there who's willing to sell it to them. If not then someone's dropping the ball. It's called Niche Marketing. Go get 'em! :D

[John Phillips]

Neutrik plugs and used mains power cable, the largest that will fit in the plugs usually.

Absolutely reliable, stageproof and sounds as good as any more expensive stuff I've heard.

The used bit is important - AC current flowing through the cable for years conditions it and makes it sound better.















;)

Actually I doubt it makes any difference at all, it's just that used cable is - important! - FREE :).

FWIW I have a really nice Van Damme cable that someone gave me too, and I cannot hear any difference between it and the mains cable for guitar. I'm not 100% convinced it doesn't sound better for bass - it's really thick, and at the sort of current a 250W bass amp puts out it might make a tiny difference - so I let my bass player use it, along with the super-heavy power cable I have too.

[ButchR]

Klotz instrument AND speaker cables! Never any problems with either.

[dorfmeister]

Bump for updated thoughts.

What is best bang for the buck in speaker cables?

[jbird]

EA Siren II

[strat a various]

Unless you perform a blind side by side comparison including Monster cable, fancy audiophile cable, stock 18 gauge Fender wire and home made zip-cord, there's no way to tell which sounds best. If you know what you're trying, the experiment is meaningless, because you're already subjective.
I've snuck cheap cables into speaker cabs, pedal runs, even high end home audio ... so far, no cork-sniffers have correctly guessed which is which yet.

[mprvise]

Yep, GeorgeL user here. I usually just buy the pre made 3 foot sections. Relatively cheap, sounds good, no failures. :AOK

Well, with this thread back from the dead I'll mention that my George L failed. Now using EA Siren cables on gigs.

[cubado]

Great info!

TX 4 bump!

[PeeCee]

I use the orange and black twisted Belden cables and Switchcraft plugs. I don't know if it sounds any better than vacuum cleaner cord, but considering that if I used the vacuum cleaner cord, I'd have to buy a new vacuum cleaner, Belden is the cheaper option. Belden is a bit stiff and not the easiest to solder.

I don't like George L cables. They seem to fail at the most inopportune times.

PC

[sharpshooter]

It's still fairly easy to source down wire, thats made with real rubber insulation, that stays soft, and coils easily, and solder on your own plugs.
That stiff insulation stuff,,,,,,,,, you know,,,,

[amp boy]

i need 3 head to cab cables, and need to wire two 2x12 cabs.
What to do...what to do.....or HOW to do !!!
I'd rather make my own cables since i don't have the $$ that all this would add up to.
The best local buy is EA stuff, but i'm not interested in spending $300bucks.
So how do i go about making a quality cable for amp heads, and the internal wiring of cabs ??

[EightySix]

Peavey 3 ft - $8!!!

Neutrik ends, well made & decent gauge. I was going to do the DIY lamp cord, but pre-made is cheap insurance for transformers.