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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 13, 2016 19:51:06 GMT -5
It's much of a muchness in regards to speaker cable versus RCA interconnects over a long run. The RCA interconnects have the advantage of being shielded, hence reject interference, with the disadvantage that they carry low voltages so can be more susceptible to RFI etc. Speakers cables on the other hand are not shielded but carry larger voltages so minor interference is swamped by the source material. Ultimately long XLR's with short speaker cables is the better solution but since your equipment can't handle that then you are left the choice between the two lesser evils.
Unfortunately you may not know which is better until you actually try it in your environment. If I had to guess I'd say the long speakers cables short RCA's would more be likely the better (albeit not perfect) solution.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by gus4emo on Jun 13, 2016 21:34:40 GMT -5
It's much of a muchness in regards to speaker cable versus RCA interconnects over a long run. The RCA interconnects have the advantage of being shielded, hence reject interference, with the disadvantage that they carry low voltages so can be more susceptible to RFI etc. Speakers cables on the other hand are not shielded but carry larger voltages so minor interference is swamped by the source material. Ultimately long XLR's with short speaker cables is the better solution but since your equipment can't handle that then you are left the choice between the two lesser evils. Unfortunately you may not know which is better until you actually try it in your environment. If I had to guess I'd say the long speakers cables short RCA's would more be likely the better (albeit not perfect) solution. Cheers Gary I appreciate the input guys, I can always make sure the long speaker cables are out of the way of anything and are at least 12 gauge, any more info is appreciated. .. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 13, 2016 22:00:24 GMT -5
It's much of a muchness in regards to speaker cable versus RCA interconnects over a long run. The RCA interconnects have the advantage of being shielded, hence reject interference, with the disadvantage that they carry low voltages so can be more susceptible to RFI etc. Speakers cables on the other hand are not shielded but carry larger voltages so minor interference is swamped by the source material. Ultimately long XLR's with short speaker cables is the better solution but since your equipment can't handle that then you are left the choice between the two lesser evils. Unfortunately you may not know which is better until you actually try it in your environment. If I had to guess I'd say the long speakers cables short RCA's would more be likely the better (albeit not perfect) solution. Cheers Gary I appreciate the input guys, I can always make sure the long speaker cables are out of the way of anything and are at least 12 gauge, any more info is appreciated. .. The biggest problem with long speaker cables is resistance, so the best thing you can do is try to minimize that as much possible with good terminations and connections at the amp and speakers (in addition to large gauge copper speaker wire). |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 9,962
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Post by KeithL on Jun 14, 2016 8:52:21 GMT -5
Converters are.... dubious.... Any passive converter is going to be a "balun" (AKA "a transformer") - and transformers fall into two broad categories: really expensive ones that aren't too bad; and cheap ones that are really bad. And, if you're not going to use a balun, then just cut the connectors off and use your Cat cable as wire. (Cat5 and Cat6 is shielded twisted-pair cable - and ranges from pretty good to pretty bad... ) Powered converters also range from pretty good to pretty bad. The reason for longer speaker cables vs. interconnects is that you get more noise with longer runs over coax (RCA) cables. If you go long, then you have to use XLR as it does a much better job of noise reduction, not to mention runs at a higher voltage. If your amp has no XLR, then you're better off with longer speaker wire (lower gauge 12Ga for example). I would use 12ga speaker wires and keep them away from anything else, how about using converters to use CAT5 or CAT6? |
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Post by sidvicious on Jun 14, 2016 10:25:36 GMT -5
From everything that I have been told the long runs will have a problem with interference. I know you don't have XLR inputs/outputs and that you are using receiver as a preamp, but this is an area where XLR cables excel is longer runs due to their sheilding, it's what they are made for. 35 feet is a long way and I agree with Keith's theory of the network cable. I also see why a lot of comments are leaning toward extending the speaker cables. Some dealers use longer runs and but not 35 feet. Also 35 feet of RCA of any type won't be cheap unless you make it yourself. In this case the only way unfortunately that you will find out for sure is to try it. Please let us know how you decided to tackle this problem.
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Post by vneal on Jun 14, 2016 16:24:14 GMT -5
I have changed my mind. Keith L you were correct.
I ran in to Ray Kimber and ask him. He said-" Of course in a perfect world you would go short on both but we understand that many times this is not possible.Best case scenario for a long cable - Balanced interconnects.
2nd best case scenario - most likely long single ended interconnects (this can and will be debated all day/every day).
3rd best case scenario - long speaker cables (same debate applies).
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Post by gus4emo on Jun 14, 2016 18:13:54 GMT -5
I have changed my mind. Keith L you were correct. I ran in to Ray Kimber and ask him. He said-" Of course in a perfect world you would go short on both but we understand that many times this is not possible.Best case scenario for a long cable - Balanced interconnects. 2nd best case scenario - most likely long single ended interconnects (this can and will be debated all day/every day). 3rd best case scenario - long speaker cables (same debate applies). How about something like Mediabridge coax/subwoofer cable, which is what I'm using now, they do have a 35 ft version. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2016 18:17:01 GMT -5
IMO, (old fashioned) and not stated to sell cables, 35 foot speaker wire (passive speakers) is in most cases, no problem! The wire also does not have to be the same length. For example if it takes 35 ft of wire to reach one surround speaker and 25 ft of wire to reach the other surround speaker, that is fine. One does need to use 35 ft to both speakers to keep the lengths equal. Same goes that the wire to each LCR speakers does not need to be of equal length. Just be sure the longer length wires should be of heavier gauge. Other wise, use your time, effort and money on buying the best speakers, subs, electronics, sources and room placement/treatments you have the budget for. So many folks seem to spend tons of money on minute if even detectable sound improvements over more effective improvements. Money, no problem, buy away. I use Monoprice's best speaker wire (or HD or WM or Target) and used the saved money to buy a round-trip back to my home planet Kepler 186-f. Chuckie, The Frugal Nut  PS: Subs are a different subject and buy well built (not necessarily expensive) sub cables. I bought a 25ft sub cable from Monster, not because I'm a monster guy but it was 50% off, well shielded and very soft and flexible so it hid under the molding and turned tight corners easily, plus the light tan matched my wall paint. |
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Post by gus4emo on Jun 14, 2016 18:43:55 GMT -5
IMO, (old fashioned) and not stated to sell cables, 35 foot speaker wire (passive speakers) is in most cases, no problem! The wire also does not have to be the same length. For example if it takes 35 ft of wire to reach one surround speaker and 25 ft of wire to reach the other surround speaker, that is fine. One does need to use 35 ft to both speakers to keep the lengths equal. Same goes that the wire to each LCR speakers does not need to be of equal length. Just be sure the longer length wires should be of heavier gauge. Other wise, use your time, effort and money on buying the best speakers, subs, electronics, sources and room placement/treatments you have the budget for. So many folks seem to spend tons of money on minute if even detectable sound improvements over more effective improvements. Money, no problem, buy away. I use Monoprice's best speaker wire (or HD or WM or Target) and used the saved money to buy a round-trip back to my home planet Kepler 186-f. Chuckie, The Frugal Nut PS: Subs are a different subject and buy well built (not necessarily expensive) sub cables. I bought a 25ft sub cable from Monster, not because I'm a monster guy but it was 50% off, well shielded and very soft and flexible so it hid under the molding and turned tight corners easily, plus the light tan matched my wall paint. All the front speakers will have to be 35 ft, LCR plus heights, the back speakers of course would be shorter, 4 speakers. |
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Post by millst on Jun 15, 2016 10:23:20 GMT -5
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