Audio engineering selection is crucial, with the wrong cable potentially creating distortion or losing a signal. How do we decide on speaker cable types and specifications?
So distance from the speakers to the amplifier or receiver is necessary to take into account. For shorter runs, standard 16-gauge speaker wires should be sufficient for most home setups. When using longer cables or speaking power like floorstanding speakers in a home theatre, however, 14 and even 12 gauge wire are recommended. The power of the amplifier will reach the speakers effectively due to reduced resistance caused by thicker wires, which matters especially for considerable distances while assuring good bass response and dynamic range. Using 12-gauge wire does not cause much signal loss even over distances of more than 100 feet, for example when wiring speakers in a large or an outdoor area.
The next thing to look at should be the type of environment where the cables will be fitted. For in wall fittings particularly for surround or ceiling speakers, always ensure that CL2 rated cables are used as they are rated for in wall use and do not pose a fire risk. Take a home theater setup as an example: CL2 rated cables allow for the concealment and management of the wiring when required and are also consistent with the building regulations.
Also, speaker cables should consist of materials that have high electrical conductivity’s, the most popular choice being oxygen free copper (OFC) whose low resistance guarantees the integrity of signal transmission. Pure silver wire is not cheap but gives the best conductivity and is ideal for someone who desires to get the best sound quality. Copper clad aluminum wire is cheaper but may compromise sound quality and long distance transmission. Also the construction of the wire like multi stranded wires can help lower the resistance and aid high frequency response further. Shielding materials such as PVC or LDPE are used to insulate and protect the signal from interference.
Finally set a price range and go for cable options that fall within that range. For the most part the quality and performance will be directly proportional to the price.
