Sub cable length

[SPH]

If you run more than one sub, should you have all the cables the same length? Or for that matter should all cables be the same length on all speakers?

[blujacket]

Originally Posted by SPH

If you run more than one sub, should you have all the cables the same length? Or for that matter should all cables be the same length on all speakers?

Absolutely no reason or need to have cables the same length.

[SPH]

When splitting up to 4 (for subs) do you just use multiple "y's"?

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by SPH

When splitting up to 4 (for subs) do you just use multiple "y's"?

You may want to look at RCA Cable needed for subwoofer since this was discussed at length there. Page 2 of the thread has a drawing of one way to hook up 2 bi-amp subwoofers. IMO there are consequences of how this loads the receivers sub output but apparently it is not much of a problem.

[SPH]

I read that one. But it didnt seem to indicate anything about 4 subs. Or maybe I am being a dimwit

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by SPH

I read that one. But it didnt seem to indicate anything about 4 subs. Or maybe I am being a dimwit

Are you trying to bi-amp (I think that is the right term) four subs? If you just run one cable connection to each one at least you would keep the speaker impedance at 1/4 of its initial value, if you end up with 8 connections you're going to need an amplifier to boost the signal I would think. I just got a pair of powered subwoofers on BigDaddy's suggestion and I noticed they have a low power output. I have not investigated it yet but I am expecting I could daisy-chain one sub to the next and not mess with Y-cables other than the first one to provide two inputs.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by SPH

If you run more than one sub, should you have all the cables the same length? Or for that matter should all cables be the same length on all speakers?

For 4 subwoofers, you can use Y adapters. It is not that important to keep the cables lengths the same. RG6 subwoofer cables are pretty good for relatively short distances in a home theater room. However, it is best to use 4 identical subwoofers and level match each one individually.

Not all subwoofers offer the daisy chain option.

For front speakers, you must keep the speaker cables the same. For surround speakers, it is better to keep them the same, but it is not as important as the front speakers.

[blujacket]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

For front speakers, you must keep the speaker cables the same. For surround speakers, it is better to keep them the same, but it is not as important as the front speakers.

No.

http://www.audioholics.com/education...do-they-matter

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by blujacket

No.

http://www.audioholics.com/education...do-they-matter

I am familiar with that article and have read it a few times. In a way, they contradict themselves.

There are NO reasons why cable lengths between pair channels (ie. Main Left, Main Right, Rear Left, Rear Right, etc) need to be kept identical, but avoiding a ratio greater than 4:1 of identical wire gauge is good measure for minimizing RLC losses which can affect system damping factor and attribute to frequency response variations.

Note, simply moving from 12AWG cable to 10AWG cable of similar design reduces resistance by 30% which effectively makes a 50ft 12AWG zip cord cable look like 35ft (assuming all other things equal).

As a rule of thumb, we always recommend keeping cable lengths as minimal as possible, but not too short that it compromises accessibility to equipment.

If it is not that important to keep the front speaker cables the same, then why should we care about keeping them as short as possible?

I still stand by my earlier statement that for front speakers, you should use the same gauge and keep the cable lengths the same. If you buy a pair of speaker cables with banana plugs, they already have the same lenghts. When you make your own, what risk is there in making them equal? We are talking about a couple of ft of difference between the left and right front speakers. This is really a non issue.

[blujacket]

What if your audio rack is closer to your left front speaker? Are you going to coil up the extra wire, or cut it shorter than your right? All my wires are within a few feet of each other, but exact is not a must as you said. I don't see why anyone wouldn't use the same gauge, as it's easier to buy bulk spools.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by blujacket

What if your audio rack is closer to your left front speaker? Are you going to coil up the extra wire, or cut it shorter than your right? All my wires are within a few feet of each other, but exact is not a must as you said. I don't see why anyone wouldn't use the same gauge, as it's easier to buy bulk spools.

My audio rack is closer to the right front speaker than the left, but the speaker cables are 10ft each. Obviously, this is not rocket science and a few feet don't make a lot of difference. However, using 40ft of 18 gauge on one speaker and 8ft of 10 gauge on another is a real experience. I have done that for fun.

The problem with Audioholics is that they spend too much time discussing things that really don't matter. It is a lot more convenient and practical to tell people to keep the speaker cables for front speakers approximately the same.

[Aerodude73]

Thou Dare to Question BIG DADDY ??!!

(jkg of course)

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by aerodude73

Thou Dare to Question BIG DADDY ??!!

(jkg of course)

I agree. Big Daddy is god of audio/video and if you disagree, the real God will strike you.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I agree. Big Daddy is god of audio/video and if you disagree, the real God will strike you.

A good sense of HUMOR -- such a terrible thing NOT to waste...

[zicmubleu]

I think this cable length issue got off track a bit. The OP apparently has powered subwoofers and is using Y cables. This directly implies something like RG6 cabling and possibly 18 to 22 gauge wiring, nothing heavy duty. Shielding is very important at those low power levels but the additional resistance in a few feet of 22 gauge wire is somewhat significant when you are pushing it into an amplifier going from a few hundredths of a watt to maybe 150W of power, a lot of boost. A small variation of cable length might affect how you balance your speakers, and possibly, without using an SPL meter you might not get the balance you think by guessing at the volume knob on the powered subwoofer. Buying ready made cables of the same length for paired powered speakers is logical and only those with good mechanical skill will be able to make their own cables with good consistency. The power levels are very low and cable runs of more than a few feet could have an impact on the signal delivered IMO.

[SPH]

I will use rg6 no copper. I was curious about the length because if you are doing multiple y's I would think you would then have to account for line loss.


Regular speakers I use 8 ga with soldered ends, or banana's. I just never put much thought into it until recently, the length factor anyway. I would bet they are within 6" or so with all 3 in the front and the back probably completely unsure.

When I switched to bi-amp 5.1 I rushed and didnt set it up correctly with length or much else. I will probably re-do the whole thing this weekend because behind my cab is a complete mess. I am going to pull it all out and make it pretty.