speaker cable

[slobluesine]

can screened cable be used for Speakers?

got some screened cable that says..

reference Q RCPO7 Hi Q speaker cable

[BOD2]

Generally no. But that advice is to avoid the problem of using standard screened instrument cable for speakers. Instrument cable cannot handle the power that can go to a speaker cab and can break down and do damage.



However, this isn't an inherent problem with "screened" cable - it's just that all instrument cable is screened so, in a musician context, screened cable IS instrument cable.

Have a look at the the two conductors inside the cable - the screen is one and the centre core is the other. If they are good substantial cables (the core in particular) then they may be suitable. Compare the thickness with regular speaker cable. If the thicknesses (the thickness of the copper wire, that is) are the same then it should be ok.

[slobluesine]

i've always thought screened cable was for instruments only, but this stuff is VERY thick AND it says speaker cable, so should be good, if everything goes up in smoke i'll report back

thx BOD2

[MB1]

MB1.
If it says speaker cable on it your fine (thatll be what its for!).....Dont use it for making up instrument cables though!

[Vesalius]

Screened cable is not generally used for speaker cable as it acts like a capacitor and can impact on the frequencies
fed to the speaker.

v.

[BB2000]

[quote name='Vesalius' post='947474' date='Sep 6 2010, 06:15 PM']Screened cable is not generally used for speaker cable as it acts like a capacitor and can impact on the frequencies
fed to the speaker.

v.[/quote]


Urban myth.

[flyfisher]

Indeed. Why would a screened cable 'impact on the frequencies' of a speaker signal but not on those of a guitar, mic or any other signal?

Screening on lengths of cable used by typical bands will have no practical impact on audio frequencies.

[keving]

Absolutely, one if the biggest reasons for not having screen speaker cable is cost. Secondly, it simply isn't necessary. The types of interference/noise picked up by cables is so low compared to the signal carried in the cable that it has no bearing. On an instrument or mic cable, the noise is much bigger compared to the signal and will have a significant impact as it gets pre-amped along with the voice or instrument.

[DHA]

[quote name='slobluesine' post='947266' date='Sep 6 2010, 02:55 PM']i've always thought screened cable was for instruments only, but this stuff is VERY thick AND it says speaker cable, so should be good, if everything goes up in smoke i'll report back

thx BOD2[/quote]

Bad idea,

High power amps have 10's of amps flowing in the speaker cable. No screened cable will be that thick. Also to need to screen, complete waste of time.

Sounds like some HiFi nonsense designed to sell costly things you don't need.

[BB2000]

[quote name='DHA' post='953632' date='Sep 12 2010, 03:38 PM']Bad idea,

High power amps have 10's of amps flowing in the speaker cable. No screened cable will be that thick. Also to need to screen, complete waste of time.

Sounds like some HiFi nonsense designed to sell costly things you don't need.[/quote]


You do get screened speaker cable, although it is rather expensive. If the OP has some - use it!

FYI coax cables that handle 10s of amperes at low frequencies are readily available. RG17,18 etc. can handle about 50KW, corresponding to a current rating of about 30A.

[flyfisher]

[quote name='BB2000' post='953667' date='Sep 12 2010, 04:12 PM']FYI coax cables that handle 10s of amperes at low frequencies are readily available. RG17,18 etc. can handle about 50KW, corresponding to a current rating of about 30A.[/quote]
Well, yes, if you want a cable that's almost one inch in diameter.

[BB2000]

[quote name='flyfisher' post='954229' date='Sep 12 2010, 11:47 PM']Well, yes, if you want a cable that's almost one inch in diameter. [/quote]

Yes, citing RF cables is probably a bad example. The audio coax cables are about the same size as non coax cables. Never seen one used in a studio or touring environment though.