Does number of copper wire strands matter? Hard to gauge?

Poolgod69

Hello all,

I am in the market for new speaker wire. I have been considering buying in bulk i.e 50ft but I have a question. Does the copper wire strand count really matter? Below are some examples:

SVS Sound Path- 64 Strands, 14AWG
KnuKonceptz- 294 Strands, 12AWG
Furutech FSa- 128 Strands, 12G (WAY out of my price range)
Monoprice- Cannot locate strand count for 12AWG
BJC- Cannot locate strand count for 12AWG

I believe I understand that the thicker strands can transmit more information. But does that matter when they are all wrapped in the wire essentially all touching anyway.

I am considering the SVS Sound Path, but due to my chronic indecisiveness I cannot make a decision.

Thank you.

Brian

mhardy6647

There's a phenomenon called the "skin effect"; there is a tendency for higher frequency signals to travel on the outside of a wire. In theory, many more thin strands will be better from the perspective of HF signal transmission. In practice, audio frequencies are largely (although not universally) held to be far too low) to be much affected by the skin effect.

Some folks use pairs of single strand wire for, e.g., their speaker cables.

(and some folks use very fine-gauge twisted pairs of magnet wire for "interconnects")

Dennis Gardner

Only for flexibility. Thinner strands flex easier. Gauge is measured in total, so for the current it really doesn't care.

lightman1

http://www.wireworldcable.com/phone/index.html
Some good reading on their designs regarding skin effect and electro-magnetic interference. Kinda gives you an introduction to the plethora of theories and principles in cable manufacturing.
Aaaand we're off!!!

mhardy6647

lightman1 wrote: »

http://www.wireworldcable.com/phone/index.html
Some good reading on their designs regarding skin effect and electro-magnetic interference. Kinda gives you an introduction to the plethora of theories and principles in cable manufacturing.
Aaaand we're off!!!

Plethora of theories and principles [and opinions]
Yup.

lightman1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

lightman1 wrote: »

http://www.wireworldcable.com/phone/index.html
Some good reading on their designs regarding skin effect and electro-magnetic interference. Kinda gives you an introduction to the plethora of theories and principles in cable manufacturing.
Aaaand we're off!!!

Plethora of theories and principles [and opinions]
Yup.

You said it, Doc. Squirrel!

mhardy6647

Got it covered.

kittehnskwirell by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

F1nut

Not only is there stranded wire with varying numbers of strands, but solid core wire and then there are some which use a combination of stranded and solid. On top of that some are copper, some are silver and others are silver plated copper. Going even further there are varying degrees of the purity of the metal used. On top of all that, the geometry of the cable, outer covering and terminations also come into play.

Judging by the quanity you desire I'm guessing this is for HT, which is not as critical as 2 channel. Regardless, wire does make a difference and I would stay away from the Monoprice stuff. I'm not familiar with the SVS cable, but they are a subwoofer company, not a cable company, so consider that.

mhardy6647

Conversely, though... expensive speaker "wire" can be very, very good.

Best tool(s) to bring to this party -- one's ears.

[Deleted User]

^^^ from the article above that I read years ago;
"Despite all the measurements and opinions, the final test is whether you can hear any difference or not."

I bought Monster cable at 70% off at Radio Shack as they were closing and it sounded
better than rip cord. The kicker, less strands. The difference wasn't earth shaking but it was there. I still use it for my surrounds.

Poolgod69

Thank you for the comments. Which one would you choose?

BJC- 12AWG
Belden- 12AWD
Canares 4s11- 14 AWG

I am leaning to BJC now.

Brian

txcoastal1

Most of the BJC is Belden

They are good people to work with

[Deleted User]

as mentioned above, it is not likely that you will need 12 gauge cable.
I'd go Canary star quad cable if price is no object I suppose.
(but I live near a broadcast tower)

westmassguy

I've used the Canare 4S11, and Furez 10/2. I prefer the Furez. PM @helipilotdoug AKA Douglas Connections: http://www.douglasconnection.com/
Great guy, and he'll get you squared away.

Joey_V

I know Audioquest used less strands but solid core. I like their sound so that's what I subscribe to

cnh

Darn! My comments here were censored and, yet, they were so clever! Polk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think, Khan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cortico

Poolgod69 wrote: »

Hello all,

I am in the market for new speaker wire. I have been considering buying in bulk i.e 50ft but I have a question. Does the copper wire strand count really matter?

Brian

Answering you question, from a practical stand point, the number of strands will only cable flexibility, it will allow more bends before without breaking, that's the only m advantage, really.

As so, it would make sense to use stranded wires on movable parts with stranded wire on moving or serviceable parts as control plates, drivers, instrument cables, etc). The solid core, as more advantages on on amplifier boards wiring dressing, shaping tube filaments leads, etc.

I think solid core has no useful application on speakers...

BlueFox

cnh wrote: »

Darn! My comments here were censored and, yet, they were so clever! Polk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think, Khan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since this is your first post in this thread your comments weren't censored. They were removed! That is beyond censorship. It is un American. Or hallucinatory.

lightman1

C has been into the Ouzo again. Me thinks the good professor has been holed up in study far too long. His anthropological writings have seared the gray matter. Poor soul. Once was a good man....

mhardy6647

ouzo'll do that to a guy. It's like absinthe on crack.

F1nut

Answering you question, from a practical stand point, the number of strands will only cable flexibility, it will allow more bends before without breaking, that's the only m advantage, really.

That is simply not the case. The number of strands, the gauge of those strands (some may be thicker, others as fine as angel hair and yet others a combination) and the geometry all play a role in the sound quality and to some degree the flexibility. Speaking of which, let's not forget that the filler, if any and thickness of the cover material will play a role in the flexibility as well.

cortico

Thank your for bother explaining further, I appreciate that.

I noticed significant SQ improvement when replaced an old CRS 20' interconect with a 8' canare cable, but it's hard for me to tell the diference between Canare star Quad and a Marshal 12awg zip cord wire on 4' feet speakers cable runs when listening my ancient equipment...

mantis

if your looking for high quality low cost speaker wire look no further then Audioquest FLX or SLIP series. This is the best sounding bulk affordable speaker cable on the market IMO. I have tested most over the years and these are by far the best.
http://www.audioquest.com/flx-slip/slip-144
http://www.audioquest.com/flexible-series/flxdb-14-2

cortico

Mantis, I couldn't find specification sheets with electrical performance, do AQ have that available somewhere?

[Deleted User]

Four feet? Use a coat hanger. Do multiple scientific listening tests with friends and family. Pontificate here on how cable doesn't matter unless you don't have any.

cortico

hangers will have to be made of super conductive and low capacitance copper wire

lightman1

cortico wrote: »

hangers will have to be made of super conductive and low capacitance copper wire

........and covered with the finest Corinthian leather.

motorhead43026

lightman1 wrote: »

cortico wrote: »

hangers will have to be made of super conductive and low capacitance copper wire

........and covered with the finest Corinthian leather.

Or skin from Albanian circumcisions.

cortico

Twisted together by the hands of a virgen.

lightman1

cortico wrote: »

Twisted together by the hands of a virgen. (sic)

I'm in Virginia now. I'll see if I can scare up a few for the task. Albanian or not...either way.

Poolgod69

Thank you for all of your assistance. I ended ordering Belden Cable from BJC and Sewell Silverback bananas. I also just received my SR5010 from A4L. Very happy right now!!