9 replies to this topic

[The Dec]

Hi Guys

I am new to the forum and was hoping that someone could give me some advice.

About a 19mths agao I purchased a Marantz SR5005 7.1 channel amplifier and a set of Jensen speakers:

2 x QX-35, 5inch Twin 2 Way Floorstanding system.
1 x QX-65, Twin 5inch 2 Way Centre speaker
2 x QX-25, 5inch 2 Way BiPole Surround system
1 x Jenson X-100, Subwoofer

We were renovating our home and have just finished so I am now at a stage of where I can install it all.

Was just wondering what sort of the speaker cable I should be looking to purchasing to support the system.

If anyone could recommend what I should be looking for and where and how much I would be looking at paying I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

The Dec

[brabs]

Any oxygen free copper with a decent gauge would be fine (12 gauge would be ample) this can range on price between $5 and $10 a metre, if you look online you will get better value than going to jb or the like.

[surprisetech]

Bunnings carry a reasonably good range of Olex cable that is worth considering. At the least, it will give you a starting point for comparing prices for different guages.

[waricle]

Jaycar have a range of reasonably priced cable and even flat ones for under carpet.
12 or14g is plenty. DON'T pay big money.
The room size, speaker placement and receiver setup will have the major influence on sound quality.

[The Dec]

Thanks guys for your help I really appreciate it

[19hZ]

If you want to save a few $, ring the sparky you had working on your home and ask for some single phase power cable, like whats in your walls. Should be comparative to the $5pm options from Jaycar and cost a fraction.

[ray07]

Sorry to hi-jack

If I was to go for a simular system set-up..

Would 10 Gauge be over-kill ?

How much would it roughly cost for 50m of 10 guage of say diamond audio speaker wiring?

Thanks

[waricle]

+1 for 19hZ
I use 2.5 twin & earth power cable for my HT as do most commercial cinemas.
At $1/m trade- from your local sparkie

[surfpurple]

FWIW I am a sparky (and have used 'electrical' cable for my rear surround speakers, but 'proper' speaker wire has multiple strands ( and as someone pointed out 'oygen free'), so if I were you I would do some research. I am only running my 'rear' speakers so it's no big deal BUT to run fronts I would look more into things. There IS a reason why good speaker cable in 'multiple stranded'.
I doubt that the post above is correct, as I would never see 'power' cable being used for speakers (let alone in a commercial situation!).

[surfpurple]

If you want to save a few $, ring the sparky you had working on your home and ask for some single phase power cable, like whats in your walls. Should be comparative to the $5pm options from Jaycar and cost a fraction.

It's ONLY comparitive to a point!

Maybe 'csa' (cross sectional area) but you are not comparing apples with apples here!

How much do you read about 'cables' making % of an improvement?

My advice is do your homework, OR if you really don't care then just grab ANY cable that has the right diameter (and don't pay more than $1 per metre!)