Speaker wire Age?

chiptouz
chiptouz Posts: 152
edited May 2013 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
All,

I am using 12gauge monster cable for my fronts and center. The cable does not state what the model number. Is there any reason to replace these with new 12 guage. I do not see any type of corrosion inside the sleeve. The cable was bought in 2000.

Thanks,

Chip
Sharp LC-80uq17u
Denon 4520ci Receiver
OPPO BDP-203 Blu-Ray Disc Player
Monster HTS 3600
Polk RTi-a7 (fronts)
Polk CSi-a6 (Center)
Polk TC-60i (Rear & Surround Rear)
HSU Research VTF3-MK4 (Sub)
Logitech Harmony elite (Remote)
Post edited by chiptouz on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited March 2013
    I'd like to know the same as I also am using some Monster brand 10-12 gauge wire for the past 10 years now.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited March 2013
    Just do a visual inspection. Are the copper wires corroded? Are wire strands broken? Is the insulation crumbling or cracked or deteriorating?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited March 2013
    Sounds all good then :)
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited March 2013
    I was just down in the basement. I came across an old trail light set-up that did as a DIY project back in the 1970's. So we used what ever wire we found and it was outdoors for some years. Now 40 years later it doesn't look all that bad.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited March 2013
    Still using Kimber Cable July 1990
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chefkungfu
    chefkungfu Posts: 638
    edited April 2013
    One of my monster cables (center channel) had some corrosion on them. It's well over 12 years old and the end that plugs into the binding post has turned greenish black. I just replaced them with new ones. All the other channels were fine.
    SRT Seismic System with dual PSW1200's
    RT5000 x 2
    RT2000p
    CS400i
    CS350-LS
    LS F/X
    PSW650
    PSW1000 w/Dayton SPA1000
    DSW MicroPro 4000
    Adcom amps
    Pioneer Elite SC-89
    Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable
    PS4
    XBOX One
    MIT Interconnects
    BJC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited April 2013
    As long as its not black, rubber isnt dried out, and the conductor isnt just falling apart you should be good. Speaker wire is cheap on Amazon and it cant hurt to replace 13 year old wire.
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chris23120
    chris23120 Posts: 95
    edited April 2013
    I think it's fine.
    Samsung UN55C6500 55" LED
    Onkyo TX-NR3007
    Polk Audio RT5000
    -RT3000 front
    -CS1000 center
    -FX1000 dipole
    Polk Audio PSW1000 5.1 sub
    Polk Audio microPRO 4000 x2 5.2 subs:biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2013
    Speaker wire, and all cables, should be replaced every ten years, if not sooner. This is due to electron depletion, and quantum settling on the atomic level, which eventually results in degraded sound quality. Assuming your hearing is up to par.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited April 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Speaker wire, and all cables, should be replaced every ten years, if not sooner. This is due to electron depletion, and quantum settling on the atomic level, which eventually results in degraded sound quality. Assuming your hearing is up to par.

    Or the electrons just get tired.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chris23120
    chris23120 Posts: 95
    edited April 2013
    I guess I need some new wire...
    Samsung UN55C6500 55" LED
    Onkyo TX-NR3007
    Polk Audio RT5000
    -RT3000 front
    -CS1000 center
    -FX1000 dipole
    Polk Audio PSW1000 5.1 sub
    Polk Audio microPRO 4000 x2 5.2 subs:biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Speaker wire, and all cables, should be replaced every ten years, if not sooner. This is due to electron depletion, and quantum settling on the atomic level, which eventually results in degraded sound quality. Assuming your hearing is up to par.
    bikezappa wrote: »
    Or the electrons just get tired.

    You guys are funny! And how many physicists have observed Quantum effects in strands of copper speaker wire? The actual copper in my wire will see me in the "grave" and then some?

    And hearing "disintegrates STEADILY" with age. Every 5-10 years you lose quite a bit of high end, and eventually, you have to use a GIANT CONE just to hear your grand kids asking for a snack! Copper is unaware of "your" hearing loss and does not care in any case.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,981
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    I'd like to know the same as I also am using some Monster brand 10-12 gauge wire for the past 10 years now.

    I'd say it's time to expand your horizons.:smile:
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hosedagain
    hosedagain Posts: 116
    edited April 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Speaker wire, and all cables, should be replaced every ten years, if not sooner. This is due to electron depletion, and quantum settling on the atomic level, which eventually results in degraded sound quality. Assuming your hearing is up to par.

    say whatttt? link
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited April 2013
    hosedagain wrote: »
    say whatttt? link

    It's a joke.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HTguru1982
    HTguru1982 Posts: 1,066
    edited April 2013
    Don't worry about your speaker cables. What you have to worry about are your power cords. Just spend a few hundred thousand dollars(or only a few hundred if they're on sale) and upgrade them and you will be in audio heaven. Just look guy a guy named Patrick(or Cheesy) - he's got the hook up.
    Display: Sony 42" LCD
    Sources: Harman Kardon DVD-27,
    Panasonic DMP-BDT110 blu ray player
    AVR: Sony STR-DA2400ES
    Amps: Sonance Sonamp 260(fronts),
    Kenwood KM-894(surrounds)
    Fronts: NHT 2.5
    Center: NHT VS-1.2A
    Surrounds: NHT Super One
    Subwoofer: SVS PB10-ISD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • clicker01
    clicker01 Posts: 1
    edited April 2013
    1 word. Ohmmeter.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theta
    theta Posts: 51
    edited April 2013
    You can snip the ends just in case, re-strip the ends, and use some de-ox or similar for peace of mind. Or, you could use banana plugs. Or lastly, solder the exposed leads - that's my preference if I'm using bare wire hookups.
    11.3 Theater
    RTi A7 Fronts - CSi A6 Center - 65-RT DSX Wides - RTi A1 DSX Highs - FXi A6 Rears - FXi A6 Surround Backs
    eD A5-350 (L-LFE) - eD A5-350 (R-LFE) - SVS 20-39+ (Rear-LFE) - Aura Pro x 8 Seats
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 (11.3 Neo:X) - Sony TA-N9000ES Amplifier
    JVC RS-20u - Elite 120" 1.3 Gain - XBMC Processor - TrippLite 30A Full Theater Backup

    2.1 Studio / PC
    Mackie HR824 Powered Monitors - Infinity Kappa Perfect 12" DIY
    Aune USB 24/192 DAC HPA - Sennheiser HD650/600
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited April 2013
    theta wrote: »
    You can snip the ends just in case, re-strip the ends, and use some de-ox or similar for peace of mind. Or, you could use banana plugs. Or lastly, solder the exposed leads - that's my preference if I'm using bare wire hookups.

    Soldered wire ends make for the best connection because the soldered speaker wire deforms as you tighten the electric connection to the speaker and amp.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited April 2013
    No solder tinned stranded wire ends are bad. Under screw terminals, the solder tinned wire ends will with time and temperature changes, cold flow which will allow the terminal to loosen.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hosedagain
    hosedagain Posts: 116
    edited April 2013
    bikezappa wrote: »
    It's a joke.

    thought it was..:smile:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 570
    edited April 2013
    clicker01 wrote: »
    1 word. Ohmmeter.

    +1. I totally agree!

    It's how you can know everything there is to know about all the DC you listen to! Simple and downright effective. There isn't anything to more to know about that! It's a done deal now!

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."

    More amazing Internet Science Pink Panther wisdom..."My DAC has since been upgraded from Mark Levinson to Topping."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hosedagain
    hosedagain Posts: 116
    edited April 2013
    clicker01 wrote: »
    1 word. Ohmmeter.

    can you tell us how to use one, how to read it, what to look for etc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • samreddevilz
    samreddevilz Posts: 18
    edited May 2013
    I don't think Age is a big fact.... if you can preserve it, then it'll work for a long time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited May 2013
    Have been using the same 12 ga monster wire since 1988.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter