speaker cable--- how much extra

newpolkman
newpolkman Posts: 23
edited October 2003 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I am ordering my speaker cable this weekend
signalcable biwire. Would like your opinions on how much extra-- or how much slack is recomended. The two main fronts will take about 8ft each to hook up
would 10ft be too much extra ? The center speaker only needs to be 6ft -- 8ft would give 2ft slack. Thanks for all of your help
this forum has helped me a lot
rex
Post edited by newpolkman on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited October 2003
    2ft is fine. If you think you might move your system later, buy a couple / few ft more. I only *need* 7ft on my mains, but I have 12ft cables. Comes in handy to demo / setup other speakers without having to *move* anything.

    You won't be wasting your money, and certainly won't notice a degredation in sound quality.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 4_everyman
    4_everyman Posts: 50
    edited October 2003
    I concur with RuSsMaN. A few extra feet shouldn't alter the sound quality and the flexibility is handy.

    You never know when you might move your gear or speakers around and then the extra length will come in handy. I've never been angry with myself for buying speaker wire that was too long, but i have when i bought too little.

    Rgds,
    --Pete
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2003
    I would consider getting a little more than 2 exra feet. Do you think you might reconfigure your room at some point? Even if you just changed your rack around two feet will not let you move things much.:)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2003
    npm,
    Whatever "extra" length you opt for do not coil the excess as it creats the potential to induce a magnetic field which in turn can reinduce extraneous current in the wire. The impact is dependant upon the number of coils, their diameter and the amount of current being carried. Normally the level is extremely low to be sure, but is easily avoided by gathering excess up serpentine style.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CT2
    CT2 Posts: 18
    edited October 2003
    I suggest keep front and center cable same length for better
    matching.
    Mains: RTi70
    Center: CSi40
    Surrounds: FXi50
    Rear Center: Not yet
    Sub: STF-2
    Receiver: HK AVR120/ Yamaha RX-V1400
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2003
    They have all said it allready, always grab a couple extra feet.

    I run Signal Double Run, for all the 5.1

    The mains are 10ft, and the center is 2ft, and I experience no "Timing" or "Matching" issues with the shorter run. Just FYI.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited October 2003
    i think that would only matter if u had high guage wire or if you had 40 ft runs of wire for each main lol
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2003
    I agree Airplay. I was just giving an example of a no problems length.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • newpolkman
    newpolkman Posts: 23
    edited October 2003
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    npm,
    Whatever "extra" length you opt for do not coil the excess as it creats the potential to induce a magnetic field which in turn can reinduce extraneous current in the wire. The impact is dependant upon the number of coils, their diameter and the amount of current being carried. Normally the level is extremely low to be sure, but is easily avoided by gathering excess up serpentine style.
    This is a great forum
    Thanks to all of you I'm learning more
    your advise is greatly appreciated. rex
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sperino
    sperino Posts: 30
    edited October 2003
    where do ya'll get good prices on speaker wire? What is the best brand for the price? I'm re-wiring my system for a new home. I didn't run the wire last time.

    Also, I read recently that bi-wiring was just a bunch of hype and that it is not necessary or overly effieient in most cases. Any truth to these assertions?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter