Speaker cable revelation

[D-Rock]

I always knew the affects of quality cables, but last night was a revelation.

I was jamming out by myself, and noticed some extra noise in my signal, but just attributed it to our washing machine being on in the next room.
I then decided to try my large gauge gold tipped PW speaker cable, because the new Digiflex cable I had bought recently seem to be used most when I had the extra noise.
I quickly swapped them and the noise was still there (washing machine buzz and fizz, no big deal) but my tone went from flat to FAT. I thought I was crazy so swapped them back and the Digiflex cable took my tone down a few notches. I was like "Fuck me!"
Hooked up the PW again and it was clear, thick, tight, crunch city again.
So I wound up the Digiflex, and threw it in a box.

I also have a very thick Yorkville speaker cable that also sounds and works great. I remember using that cable the day before and remembering just how great and huge my Laney sounded. So it was because the cable I was using was much thicker, and a bit shorter that the Digiflex one I've been using a lot lately. The Yorkville cable is also about as thick as my ring finger. It's HUGE.

So now for me, no more small gauge speaker cables or ones that are longer than 5 feet.

 

[JakeAC5253]

 

[Sixtonoize]

The speaker cable is the last thing that your tone hits before the speaker cabinet.
It's only logical that using too small of a gauge will choke off your tone, just like how you can't put out a house fire with a garden hose.

Using a larger gauge than necessary won't really do much (but it won't hurt, either), but using too small of a gauge (or a much longer cable than necessary) is a guaranteed recipe for crap. I think it's funny when people use instrument cables for speaker cables, then shit their pants at how much better it sounds when i can finally convince them to go out and spend the $20 necessary for a decent cheap speaker cable.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I think it's funny when people use instrument cables for speaker cables, then shit their pants at how much better it sounds when i can finally convince them to go out and spend the $20 necessary for a decent cheap speaker cable.

Not to mention those pesky volume dips from an overstressed transformer. "no, no I think it's my preamp tubes brah, I'll replace them and get back to you"

 

[stratotone]

Here's another revelation, change out the wiring INSIDE the cabinet too. I always crack up when guys have speaker cords that look like garden hose and then have the tiny stock wiring inside the cab.

Pete

 

[D-Rock]

The speaker cable is the last thing that your tone hits before the speaker cabinet.
It's only logical that using too small of a gauge will choke off your tone, just like how you can't put out a house fire with a garden hose.

Using a larger gauge than necessary won't really do much (but it won't hurt, either), but using too small of a gauge (or a much longer cable than necessary) is a guaranteed recipe for crap. I think it's funny when people use instrument cables for speaker cables, then shit their pants at how much better it sounds when i can finally convince them to go out and spend the $20 necessary for a decent cheap speaker cable.

Well yeah common sense should prevail with regards to cable use, but the Digiflex cable is only 6 feet long and is the standard size gauge for all speaker cables. (12-14). Regardless, by that logic that cable should preform well, but it doesn't. At least not to my standards.

 

[droptrd]

Here's another revelation, change out the wiring INSIDE the cabinet too. I always crack up when guys have speaker cords that look like garden hose and then have the tiny stock wiring inside the cab.

Pete

Good point. never thought to do that. I guess ill just spend some more money.

Thanks pete

 

[MARK1970]

I believe cables are very underrated. Guitar cables, speaker cables all make a difference. I recently bought a Lava SOAR and love it.
I was using another big name, but this cable makes things sound thick, not so much of a bright or dark sound thing you find in several cables. One thing I really notice is a latency with 20 ft. cables. It is more evident at loud volumes. What is the max people play without a buffer? I max out at 12ft.

 

[some dude]

I believe cables are very underrated. Guitar cables, speaker cables all make a difference. I recently bought a Lava SOAR and love it.
I was using another big name, but this cable makes things sound thick, not so much of a bright or dark sound thing you find in several cables. One thing I really notice is a latency with 20 ft. cables. It is more evident at loud volumes. What is the max people play without a buffer? I max out at 12ft.

The 'rule of thumb' is something like 20 feet before most will notice a significant rolloff of treble frequencies. That said, if you A/B a 10 and 20 foot cable it should be pretty noticeable that the shorter cable is brighter.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I use a planet waves cable that is aobut 15'. I find that it does roll off some high end compared to shorter, or better quality cables, but I actually like it. It takes just enough off.

As for speaker cable the only down side I have seen for big massive cable is that it is a pain to solder since most 1/4" jacks are not ment for anything too big. I have been meaning to get some GH big foot connectors so that I can use some leftover 10 awg car subwoofer cable. The same thing I use for my 900 watt sub in my car

 

[racerevlon]

Here's another revelation, change out the wiring INSIDE the cabinet too. I always crack up when guys have speaker cords that look like garden hose and then have the tiny stock wiring inside the cab.

Pete

This is CHURCH!! I felt st00pid paying $100 for a spool of Monster speaker cable, but when I re-wired my cabinets internally... HOLY LORD!!! The sound difference was astonishing. Full, fat, and way more clear and dynamic. Plus, with that $100 spool of wire I re-cabled my twelve 4 x 12's, a 4 x 10, and my buddy's three 4 x 12's, and I still have some wire left. Best investment I ever made.

DO THIS NOW!!!

 

[droptrd]

Hey Pete,

what gage stranded wire do you recommend for inside cabs?