Subwoofer cable sold separately? - Blu-ray Forum

Petra_Kalbrain · 12-15-2007, 09:10 AM

I'm setting up my new Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system and have just taken the subwoofer out of the box to put the final piece of the puzzle into place. Sure enough, I find that there is no cable included to connect it to my receiver! Is it standard procedure now-a-days to not include the cable? Or was I just ripped off?

Petra_Kalbrain · 12-15-2007, 09:24 AM

Please... someone help?

Durentis · 12-15-2007, 09:58 AM

Pretty sure that's standard.

My old upconverting DVD player didn't come with an HDMI cable. The PS3 doesn't ship with HDMI and/or optical cables. Etc.

I'd consider it a good thing though. If you want a good cable and it ships with a poor one, you end up paying for both. And what of length? Is your sub going to be 3' feet from the receiver or 30'? Better to let the consumer decide the quality and length of cable.

There's usually an insert (or the manual) in the box that tells you what a component was supposed to ship with and what is an optional sold-separately thing.

mastertang · 12-15-2007, 12:15 PM

B&W probably assumes if you can afford to buy their stuff, you would rather use your own cables for it. I would only expect a sub cable included in an all in one system.

cartman781 · 12-15-2007, 12:56 PM

I've had two different subwoofers. Neither one came with a cable. Kind of annoying, just like a printer does not come with the required cable.

Zaphod · 12-15-2007, 12:58 PM

Agreed with everyone else here. Every subwoofer I have owned has never came with a cable.

The Guardian · 12-15-2007, 02:38 PM

you can just use half of an old LR audio cable or A/V cable until you get a chance to pick up a real sub cable.

Brandon B · 12-17-2007, 01:07 AM

Also has to do with them having no idea whatsoever what length cable you would need. Do they provide a 10 foot one that's uselss to half the people, or a 20 foot one that is way too long for half the people? Or . . .

BB

kingofgrills · 12-17-2007, 05:24 PM

You didn't get ripped off. When you enter the realm of audiophile grade gear, the expectation is that you'll pick higher end specialty cables to finish things off.

Just don't skimp on your subwoofer cable, because you can lose some serious low end extension while at the same time introduce "boominess" to your system. I've experienced it before, and the audible differences with a sub are easily noticeable.

Depending on the length of cable run you need for your sub placement, you might need a custom length. One place I've had good success with is www.bluejeancable.com . They specialize in professional A/V setups, and their cables are well constructed. You can order a custom cable length for subs, as well as HDMI cables.

fronn · 12-17-2007, 05:38 PM

Just use a composite/component video cable (usually the video cables are made better than the composite audio cables) in the mean time, if you plan on spending money on a cable (if you spend more than $25 for 12 feet you're getting ripped off though, and arguably even then!)

Since it's relatively low frequencies being sent through the cable it isn't as necessary to shield it from everything like some of the higher frequencies.

blujacket · 12-17-2007, 08:39 PM

http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...09&cp_id=10236

Grab 1 of these. You don't need to spend a lot on cables.

CptGreedle · 12-17-2007, 08:41 PM

Whenever I buy speakers, i do not get cables with it, i have to buy them separately. The wires can make a big difference with the quality of the sound so they let you do that on your won instead of picking it out for you.

kingofgrills · 12-17-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Whenever I buy speakers, i do not get cables with it, i have to buy them separately. The wires can make a big difference with the quality of the sound so they let you do that on your won instead of picking it out for you.

Absolutely. If you have a decent system, you can definitely hear the difference. It's readily apparent with subwoofers too, because poor cables will introduce a boominess to the system. Excellent subs will be felt, not heard.

Don't skimp on it. You don't have to spend a ton, but you'll benefit from not just grabbing a spare component or simple RCA cable.

Bullseye · 12-17-2007, 09:50 PM

Which B&W setup did you go for?

MaleManGuy · 12-18-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Please... someone help?

what length you want

The Guardian · 12-18-2007, 03:54 AM

btw I was only advising using a spare RCA cable until he had time to go to the store

kingofgrills · 12-18-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

btw I was only advising using a spare RCA cable until he had time to go to the store

Oh, I know. I just wanted to emphasize the fact that he shouldn't stick with it.

He doesn't need to spend hundred's on a cable, but he can get a good one for well under $100.

blujacket · 12-18-2007, 07:56 PM

You don't need to spend more than $20 for a sub cable.

12-15-2007, 09:10 AM	#1
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	Subwoofer cable sold separately? I'm setting up my new Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system and have just taken the subwoofer out of the box to put the final piece of the puzzle into place. Sure enough, I find that there is no cable included to connect it to my receiver! Is it standard procedure now-a-days to not include the cable? Or was I just ripped off?

12-15-2007, 12:56 PM	#5
cartman781 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2007 Location:In a van down by the river Blu-ray collection:2074 DVD collection:257 Digital collection:18 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:99	I've had two different subwoofers. Neither one came with a cable. Kind of annoying, just like a printer does not come with the required cable. Last edited by cartman781; 12-15-2007 at 01:01 PM.

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12-15-2007, 09:24 AM	#2
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	Please... someone help?

12-15-2007, 09:58 AM	#3
Durentis Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:1	Pretty sure that's standard. My old upconverting DVD player didn't come with an HDMI cable. The PS3 doesn't ship with HDMI and/or optical cables. Etc. I'd consider it a good thing though. If you want a good cable and it ships with a poor one, you end up paying for both. And what of length? Is your sub going to be 3' feet from the receiver or 30'? Better to let the consumer decide the quality and length of cable. There's usually an insert (or the manual) in the box that tells you what a component was supposed to ship with and what is an optional sold-separately thing.

12-15-2007, 12:15 PM	#4
mastertang Active Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:62 Blu-ray reviews: 3	B&W probably assumes if you can afford to buy their stuff, you would rather use your own cables for it. I would only expect a sub cable included in an all in one system.

12-15-2007, 12:58 PM	#6
Zaphod Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2007 Location:A small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Blu-ray collection:350 Trading Score:4	Agreed with everyone else here. Every subwoofer I have owned has never came with a cable.

12-15-2007, 02:38 PM	#7
The Guardian Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Kitchener, ON Blu-ray collection:9 Trading Score:1	you can just use half of an old LR audio cable or A/V cable until you get a chance to pick up a real sub cable.

12-17-2007, 01:07 AM	#8
Brandon B Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:593 Blu-ray collection:2914 DVD collection:298 Prime collection:1 Trading Score:1	Also has to do with them having no idea whatsoever what length cable you would need. Do they provide a 10 foot one that's uselss to half the people, or a 20 foot one that is way too long for half the people? Or . . . BB

12-17-2007, 05:24 PM	#9
kingofgrills Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:PDX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:81 Trading Score:31	You didn't get ripped off. When you enter the realm of audiophile grade gear, the expectation is that you'll pick higher end specialty cables to finish things off. Just don't skimp on your subwoofer cable, because you can lose some serious low end extension while at the same time introduce "boominess" to your system. I've experienced it before, and the audible differences with a sub are easily noticeable. Depending on the length of cable run you need for your sub placement, you might need a custom length. One place I've had good success with is www.bluejeancable.com . They specialize in professional A/V setups, and their cables are well constructed. You can order a custom cable length for subs, as well as HDMI cables.

12-17-2007, 05:38 PM	#10
fronn Expert Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:St. Paul, Minnesota Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Blu-ray reviews:1	Just use a composite/component video cable (usually the video cables are made better than the composite audio cables) in the mean time, if you plan on spending money on a cable (if you spend more than $25 for 12 feet you're getting ripped off though, and arguably even then!) Since it's relatively low frequencies being sent through the cable it isn't as necessary to shield it from everything like some of the higher frequencies.

12-17-2007, 08:39 PM	#11
blujacket Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Dayton,Ohio 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:658	http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...09&cp_id=10236 Grab 1 of these. You don't need to spend a lot on cables.

12-17-2007, 08:41 PM	#12
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Whenever I buy speakers, i do not get cables with it, i have to buy them separately. The wires can make a big difference with the quality of the sound so they let you do that on your won instead of picking it out for you.

12-17-2007, 09:50 PM	#14
Bullseye Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Ireland Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:760 Blu-ray reviews: 44	Which B&W setup did you go for?

12-18-2007, 03:54 AM	#16
The Guardian Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Kitchener, ON Blu-ray collection:9 Trading Score:1	btw I was only advising using a spare RCA cable until he had time to go to the store

12-18-2007, 07:56 PM	#18
blujacket Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Dayton,Ohio 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:658	You don't need to spend more than $20 for a sub cable.

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