Biwire speaker cables-need ideas

rromeo923

I am looking to make a pair of biwire cables. When I say make I am ok with just buying raw 4 conductor cable. I have a weird set up where on speaker is about 5 ft from amp and the other about 20 ft. So I guess I need two 20 ft. lengths total.
Any Ideas on guage? Type of wire, brand etc.

Thanks!

helipilotdoug

Please tell us a little about your system, amp speakers etc.

rromeo923

George Wright AU30 tube Monoblocks, Conrad Johnson PV12a, LSA 2 standard speakers.
Sources are Flac files through HRT2 streamer USB DAC and Vinyl through Micro Seiki DD40 w/Denon 110L cart.

Soccerplyr

I've made several sets of these and have been really happy with them.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=94203&highlight=canare

rromeo923

I was looking at that but was wondering if the gauge was sufficient for 20foot runs. It would also be nice if you could see the pictures.

helipilotdoug

I've never heard the George Wright Monoblocks, but I'll bet they sound sweet.

Many folks recommend equal speaker cable lengths, and I'm one of them. The difference between the amount of time it takes the signal to travel through 5' vs 20' is very tiny. However there is that tiny difference, and to me it's logical to think it can affect the listening experience to some degree. So, I'd recommend equal cable lengths. Just make sure the length of the cable will have enough slack in it so it's not suspended between the amp and speaker binding posts.

For the wire to make your cables, a lot depends on your budget. I'd say 4 conductor cables from 14AWG to 12AWG should be very good in your system. You can see all the raw speaker cable we have here. We have a great wire for bi-wire and bi-amp applications, the Furutech U-4.1T, which I think would be perfect for your set up. This cable has 4 conductors, and two are made especially for the highs and the other two are made especially for the lows. At $29 per meter, it's not cheap, but if your budget can take it, I think you could make some excellent cables with it. Burn in time on this cable is usually between 60 and 100 hrs.

The Canare 4s11 mentioned in the link above is a very good cable. I ran it in my main system for several years. Then I made a set of cables using the Furez 12AWG 4 conductor cable. I found the all around sound from the Furez cables to be superior to the Canare cables. I felt the bass was more solid and had more punch. I found the highs were more clear and defined too. The Furez cable is a very good choice, at a very reasonable price.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, let me know.

mantis

I never purchased 4 raw conductors before but I have built my own Bi wire cables.
What I usually do is buy in bulk from a cable company I find to hold the highest standards to what I believe is right for me.
I use all Audioquest cables now and for so many reasons.
At 20 feet per run and the system you listed as far as gauge goes , 14 to 12 gauge is all you will need. Now the level of quality will be terminated on what your willing to spend.
For 14 gauge conductors on the cheap but of very high quality , check out the FLX series from Audioquest. Fantastic quality and very very affordable. You can use 2 runs of that and have very nice signal path. From there sky's the limit in bulk wire from Audioquest , again let your wallet stop you.

Soccerplyr

rromeo923 wrote: »

I was looking at that but was wondering if the gauge was sufficient for 20foot runs. It would also be nice if you could see the pictures.

This fall I made a front set all 22 feet long. I've noticed no change from the 10 foot set that was replaced.

rromeo923

Thanks for all the ideas! I may just have to rearrange everything so that the monoblocks are close to each speaker. Then I will need some Amp stands. Hmmmm

voltz

Rick here is a link for amp stands and thanks again for the CRS's

http://www.audioadvisor.com/Amp-Floor-Stands/products/37/

helipilotdoug

Here are a couple of amp stands we carry. Both come in either silver or black. PM me if you have any questions.

Speedskater

helipilotdoug wrote: »

..................
Many folks recommend equal speaker cable lengths, and I'm one of them. The difference between the amount of time it takes the signal to travel through 5' vs 20' is very tiny. However there is that tiny difference, and to me it's logical to think it can affect the listening experience to some degree. So, I'd recommend equal cable lengths. ..............

Yes the time difference is very tiny indeed! So small that it would take good test equipment to even measure. It's orders of magnitude smaller than what humans can hear.
Reasonable differences in cable lengths (like 5 & 20 feet) are not audible either.

EndersShadow

Speedskater wrote: »

helipilotdoug wrote: »

..................
Many folks recommend equal speaker cable lengths, and I'm one of them. The difference between the amount of time it takes the signal to travel through 5' vs 20' is very tiny. However there is that tiny difference, and to me it's logical to think it can affect the listening experience to some degree. So, I'd recommend equal cable lengths. ..............

Yes the time difference is very tiny indeed! So small that it would take good test equipment to even measure. It's orders of magnitude smaller than what humans can hear.
Reasonable differences in cable lengths (like 5 & 20 feet) are not audible either.

True, but at least Dougs speaker wire (that I'd use ie Furez) is cheap per foot, so its not a massive extra cost to go with equal lengths. The Quality Connectors (which I like I might add) he use are much more costly than the actual wire.

Same is true of Blue Jeans, and Signal to some extent.

Speedskater

EndersShadow wrote: »

True, but at least Dougs speaker wire (that I'd use ie Furez) is cheap per foot, so its not a massive extra cost to go with equal lengths. ......................

That's a logical reason for making them about the same length, but time delay is a logical reason.
5 to 20 feet is a 1:4 ratio anything up to 1:5 will be OK.

EndersShadow

Speedskater wrote: »

EndersShadow wrote: »

True, but at least Dougs speaker wire (that I'd use ie Furez) is cheap per foot, so its not a massive extra cost to go with equal lengths. ......................

That's a logical reason for making them about the same length, but time delay is a logical reason.
5 to 20 feet is a 1:4 ratio anything up to 1:5 will be OK.

Also what happens if you move/reconfigure and suddenly your short on one side because your cable was configured for a shorter length....

voltz

I did not know you were selling amp stands Doug, now I have a new link to recommend people to look at and I may see about getting one from you soon.

helipilotdoug

voltz wrote: »

I did not know you were selling amp stands Doug, now I have a new link to recommend people to look at and I may see about getting one from you soon.

We just started being a dealer for VTI manufacturing at the first of the year. I have some of their speaker stands listed on our website, but have lots more to get listed. Give me a holler when you need something.