coax cable as speaker wire?

QuistQuest
QuistQuest Posts: 14
edited December 2008 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Would braided computer coaxial cable work well as a speaker wire?
Why or why not?
thanks,
dennis
Post edited by QuistQuest on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • TheReaper
    TheReaper Posts: 636
    edited July 2006
    Not that I know the answer to your question. But what type of "Computer Coaxial Cable", I haven't had a coaxial cable connected to my computer for over 15 years (used with pc net, prior to that, 3270 terminals).
    Win7 Media Center -> Onkyo TXSR702 -> Polk Rti70
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    hey, reaper.
    it's round braided copper, with a single strand of copper in the center, separated by insulation. I should note that I'm an audiophile ignoramus, and am just learning the rudiments of bi-amping and bi-wiring...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited July 2006
    Assuming you want to use the center conductor for the speaker wire, the dc attenuation compared to a lower guage wire(12guage) would be very high.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited July 2006
    HBombToo wrote:
    Assuming you want to use the center conductor for the speaker wire, the dc attenuation compared to a lower guage wire(12guage) would be very high.

    HBomb

    Interpretor!!

    Seriously though, as cheap as speaker wire is from Home Depot, why chance using this wire when you can get more speaker wire than you need for the price of a meal deal?
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
    __________________________________________
    Panasonic -50PX600U 50" Plasma
    Onkyo -TX-NR901 Receiver
    Oppo -Oppo 980HD Universal DVD Player
    Outlaw -770 (7x200watt) Amplifier
    PolkAudio - RTi12 (Left and Right)
    PolkAudio - CSi5 (Center)
    PolkAudio - FXi3 (Back and Surround)
    SVS - PB-12/Plus (Subwoofer)
    Bluejean Cables - Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 - Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    Thanks, HolyDoc.
    I'm sure it's a great answer, but I'm only guessing here:
    The speakers would have to be pretty close to the amp (the wires would have to be short), because the signal will thin out (attenuate) rapidly. That's my guess. Now tell us what it really means, HBOMB, and why would the center wire suffer attenuation?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited July 2006
    Welcome to the Club Polk Forums. It may work, but I would recommend you buy some 14 guage wire at Home Depot for about $0.30 per foot. If you want to fool around with it go ahead. There's a reason why 99.9999% of the audio population isn't using it.
    Carl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    Why does everyone on here list monster cables and blue jeans as their cables of choice.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited July 2006
    Not everyone :D
    JT
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    I said EVERYONE, and I meant EVERYONE. oh, perhaps that's a bit strident...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • read-alot
    read-alot Posts: 812
    edited July 2006
    QuistQuest wrote:
    Why does everyone on here list monster cables and blue jeans as their cables of choice.

    Say what?
    polkaudio SRS (rdo194 x 8)
    Dodd ELP (separate power supply)
    JC 1 blocks ( strapped )
    Rega Apollo
    MIT (speaker cables) Outlaw (ICs)

    polkaudio SDA2(rdo194x4) (front) polkaudio CRS (rdo194x4)(rear) polkaudio 400i (center)
    B&K 505
    Samsung LCD
    VIP 622
    HSU STF-2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited July 2006
    You would be better off ripping a cord off a toaster and using that. The two different types of wire (stranded, and solid core) would deliver quite different signals. There are many factors, and I won't get crazy,,, they would deliver different signals over the entire spectrum at different times. Sounds like mud.
    -Ignorance is strength -
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,605
    edited July 2006
    I think you are referring to a DIY speaker cable made with multiple coax cables. It is supposed to work very well if you follow the design. There is also one plan for weaving cat 5 cables.

    Audioquest for me- it was on sale!!!
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2006
    QuistQuest wrote:
    Why does everyone on here list monster cables and blue jeans as their cables of choice.


    check people's signature's on here.... below their post.. how many people do you see using Monster cables? How many using blue jeans? my point exactly. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    your response has been edifying, dangerBOY. i was actually inviting people to explain WHY they choose the cables they use. enlightened input welcome.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2006
    QuistQuest wrote:
    your response has been edifying, dangerBOY. i was actually inviting people to explain WHY they choose the cables they use. enlightened input welcome.

    you didn't say that.. you said and I quote "Why does everyone on here list monster cables and blue jeans as their cables of choice."

    and i said.. they don't.. and read their signatures as proof that NOT everyone uses monster cables and blue jeans as their choice of cables.

    mean what you say.. not what you write. :confused:
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited July 2006
    QuistQuest wrote:
    Now tell us what it really means, HBOMB, and why would the center wire suffer attenuation?

    thinner wire will has greater resistance due to a smaller cross sectional area. Fatter the wire the greater the cross sectional area is and the lower the dc resistance.

    and BTW, I don't own any monster cables....
    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited July 2006
    Whats wrong with using the correct wire designed for the job? I use speaker wire for speakers, Cat 5 for networking, Coax for Digital connections and Service(dss and Cable), power cords for power,USB connections for computers and remote interfaces, Serial cables for control and Interfaces,Ir for Ir etc.

    Dude buy some high quality speakerwire and your good to go. There are many theads in here you can search on and read tone of Info about speakerwire. Many have there favorites and you can try them in your system.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    It will be surprising to some to know I have always used speakerwire for my stereos in my living room, office and bedroom. I had the other stuff around and wanted to know if there were any advantages to using it instead, and why or why not. I'll find some of the other threads on here to see why people prefer the products they do, or at least why they think particular products work well or don't. thanks, all.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bknauss
    bknauss Posts: 1,441
    edited July 2006
    SKsolutions wrote:
    You would be better off ripping a cord off a toaster and using that. The two different types of wire (stranded, and solid core) would deliver quite different signals. There are many factors, and I won't get crazy,,, they would deliver different signals over the entire spectrum at different times. Sounds like mud.

    Actually, that's not the problem for baseband signals (20-20kHz). I assume you're getting into the transmission line effects which isn't a problem at all in audio. The problem with using Cat5 cable is the lack of cross section of copper. More cross section = ability to pass more current. Depending on how much copper is in Cat5 cable and the distance of the cable, you're going to have a drop in voltage. That's not good for sound. It can be good for line level connections though (interconnects).
    Brian Knauss
    ex-Electrical Engineer for Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited July 2006
    Coax will work fine for audio. Most pro installers use coax for long component video runs to projectors.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited July 2006
    I said EVERYONE, and I meant EVERYONE. oh, perhaps that's a bit strident...

    Dennis, you've posted in 3 threads so far and in each one have shown you possess an attitude problem. If you're just here to troll, we don't want you. If you're here to learn and share, check the 'tude at the door.

    BTW, You're comment about what types of cables are used by folks here could not be further from the truth.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    But you ain't MY daddy. I was completely kidding when I said everyone uses those two types of cables. I used that statement to spur debate, and to bring forth some comments on what people actually use and why. But I understand that some people get irony, and others (such as yourself) don't. In the interest of the imagination-challenged, I'll keep my questions (I don't know enough about audiophile technology/electronics to give suggestions or recommendations -- as illustrated by my original question). More likely than not, I'll just do searches on issues of interest to me, buy some books by experts so as not to be misled by an opinion masquerading as a fact, and stay out of the discussions altogether. Not familiar with the term "troll," other than in reference to boat fishing and those creatures that lurk under bridges... And here's some more attitude for you, and you alone, F1: you got the "nut" part right. If I've offended anyone else, I apologize.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    Considering I have little to contribute, other than questions, I will unilaterally bow out of the discussion forum altogether, other then to survey from "afar." There is a WEALTH of technical expertise on this site, and my "contribution" seems to be more of a distraction than anything else. That and being willing to ask patently novice questions. Thanks for the answers.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited July 2006
    Call it what you want, but you come off as an complete and utter ****. I'm quite sure I'm not the first one to inform you of that fact and equally sure I won't be the last. Obviously, your approach needs work, so let me help point you in the right direction.

    Signed,
    DADDY
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuistQuest
    QuistQuest Posts: 14
    edited July 2006
    I tried to get a clearer picture of your "character", Nutboy, but obviously you don't have any. Based on your earlier posts, you are willing to comment on anyone and anything, injecting your rightwing horseshit at the slightest opportunity. As I remember, you started the dialog by appointing yourself the hall monitor on this site.

    It's okay if you don't get it, and feel free to ask a grownup about the "big" words. Bytheby, there is a difference between "there," "their," and "they're." Oh, and there is a difference between "your" and "you're". if the rest of the people on this site tolerate your moronic presence, more power to them. I'm not much for redneck douchebags, which you are.

    To everyone else, the ones who actually know something or are willing to learn, good luck and good listening...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited July 2006
    Hmmmm...seems I've been caught. Yep, sure did spell a word incorrectly. Thanks for pointing that out.......yawn.

    I see you've resorted to the maturity of a street punk with your choice of colorful words. Thanks for not disappointing, I knew I'd get your true character out in the open. Actually, it was easier than I thought.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited July 2006
    WTF is goin on with all the morons comin out as of late?

    Hey, do any of y'all know if I can ride on some 46" innertubes for my car?
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited July 2006
    In case you were looking for a design using coax cable the Jon Risch has a very popular design using Belden 89259 wire as speaker wire, which can be found here.

    Also Cat5 wire can be used as speaker wire, this is a very cheap DIY type wire which I personally use and love. This type wire will only work in certain situations, some amps can oscillate with this wire combined with low impedance speakers, then again throw a zobel network in and your good to go.

    Jared
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • univera
    univera Posts: 848
    edited August 2006
    QuistQuest wrote:
    I said EVERYONE, and I meant EVERYONE. oh, perhaps that's a bit strident...

    None of my business, but I really thought this guy was just kidding about the "everyone" quote above since he got some firm responses, although I think he really did think most people were using Monster Cable. I haven't seen his other posts in terms of aggressive attitude. By the way, he isn't selling paintball guns, is he?
    UNIVERA
    Historic Charleston SC

    2 Channel:
    SDA-SRS's RDO tweets
    Biamped Anthem 2 SE's w/1970's NOS Siemens CCA's
    Anthem Pre 2L w/E.harmonix platinum matched 6H23's
    CDP- NAD C 542


    HT setup:
    AVR: NAD T 773
    Rears: Polk LC80i
    DVD: Toshiba 3109 dual tray
    Subs: Velodyne and M&K
    T.V.: Sony KDL-52XBR4 w/Vans Evers Clean Line Jr.
    Conditioner: Panamax M5100EX

    Master Bedroom Sony 40KDL-XBR3

    "I love it when a plan comes together." Hannibal Smith, The A-Team
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drumingman
    Drumingman Posts: 348
    edited August 2006
    QuistQuest wrote:
    I tried to get a clearer picture of your "character", Nutboy, but obviously you don't have any. Based on your earlier posts, you are willing to comment on anyone and anything, injecting your rightwing horseshit at the slightest opportunity. As I remember, you started the dialog by appointing yourself the hall monitor on this site.

    It's okay if you don't get it, and feel free to ask a grownup about the "big" words. Bytheby, there is a difference between "there," "their," and "they're." Oh, and there is a difference between "your" and "you're". if the rest of the people on this site tolerate your moronic presence, more power to them. I'm not much for redneck douchebags, which you are.

    To everyone else, the ones who actually know something or are willing to learn, good luck and good listening...


    What does politics have to do with this discussion? You must be leftwing because you are so smart. Unwilling to learn because you know it some.
    Redneck douchebags? Really uncalled for. isn't it? I really think you owe Everyone here an apology for your Childish Behavior, be an Adult and stop the name calling. There are things you can learn from Anyone on this site, even redneck douchebags. :cool:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter