What speaker cables to use?

[deebee]

I have just purchased a pair of Polk RTIA7 floor standing speakers and a Onyko 609 7.2 channel AV receiver. My question is what is the best type of speaker cable to use and what gauge? Thanks.

[dorokusai]

www.signalcable.com Just check out the Classic series.

30 day money back deal....5% discount for Club Polk members. One of the best DIY style cables on the market.

[John K.]

Deebee, welcome to Club Polk. The term "best" really doesn't have much application to something as simple as a piece of connecting wire. Get regular copper electrical wire at a local supplier such as Home Depot or at a low-cost online source such as MonoPrice.

Yes, you should use an appropriate gauge, depending primarily on the length of the run. For accurate no-nonsense information on speaker wire in general and gauge suggestions in particular study this explanation (http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm) by a respected veteran audio professional which has helped many listeners.

[dcmartinpc]

www.signalcable.com Just check out the Classic series.

30 day money back deal....5% discount for Club Polk members. One of the best DIY style cables on the market.

Great recommendation Mark. Signal Cable is a great entry level cable. The build quality is excellent, and you can be proud to display them with your system.

Don

[decal]

Best is in the eye/ear of the beholder.

[zingo]

I recommend Luminous Audio as Tim has a cable to meet any budget.

[dcmartinpc]

Looks like MIT still has some B Stock left. If 10 footers are enough, here you go. Heck of a deal for $50...

http://www.mitcablesexpress.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=382&category_id=108&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=14

Don

[dorokusai]

JohnK - I think we're in some pretty reasonable areas of suggestions here as opposed to what could have been thrown about don't you think? C'mon....man. I know I'm not a veteran audio professional but I'm not just out of High School either.

[dcmartinpc]

I recommend Luminous Audio as Tim has a cable to meet any budget.

The answer is, there are a LOT of great options! Whatever fits your budget and is not lamp cord is the best recommendation. :biggrin: There are several go to vendors here that we recommend for a quality built cable that will last you a long time. 2 of them have already been mentioned. If you have $10,000 to spend on speaker wires, there are solutions for that! :eek:

For my subs and my home theater, I don't run anything fancy at all :biggrin: Bulk In Wall 12/2 Speaker Wire from Cables To Go... In my 2 channel system, I run MIT EXP 3 currently. I do have some AudioQuest DBS 48V purchased, but they have not shipped yet. I can't wait to try those!


Don

[PrazVT]

-Blue jeans cables were good w/ the A7s, though the bass was a little boomy. Inexpensive and better than that lamp cord.
-Running Kimber 8TC right now which tightened up everything.

And as Doro mentioned, Signal cables are awesome.

[dcmartinpc]

-Blue jeans cables were good w/ the A7s, though the bass was a little boomy. Inexpensive and better than that lamp cord.
-Running Kimber 8TC right now which tightened up everything.

And as Doro mentioned, Signal cables are awesome.

Yet another great option. Mark, I think we have behaved ourselves quite well in regards to our recommendations. :cool:

Don

[xcapri79]

I have just purchased a pair of Polk RTIA7 floor standing speakers and a Onyko 609 7.2 channel AV receiver. My question is what is the best type of speaker cable to use and what gauge? Thanks.

Welcome to Club Polk!


Deebee, welcome to Club Polk. The term "best" really doesn't have much application to something as simple as a piece of connecting wire. Get regular copper electrical wire at a local supplier such as Home Depot or at a low-cost online source such as MonoPrice.

Yes, you should use an appropriate gauge, depending primarily on the length of the run. For accurate no-nonsense information on speaker wire in general and gauge suggestions in particular study this explanation (http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm) by a respected veteran audio professional which has helped many listeners.

Good advice. One doesn't need to spend a small fortune or get exotic when choosing speaker cables.

[dorokusai]

The cables suggested cost $25-100, come with free shipping and a money back offer. Hardly exotic.

[reeltrouble1]

of course many veteran audio professionals use many different brands of cables. should I provide a link...no, not I think, of course I am quite exotic.

seems its a stir the cable-pot day at CP.

RT1

[B Run]

+1 on the MIT exp2's for $49.00 a pair. If you don't want to spend that much I really like the Canare starquad 4s11 for $1.20 a foot, best bang for your buck around IMHO.

[GoBigBlue]

Looks like MIT still has some B Stock left. If 10 footers are enough, here you go. Heck of a deal for $50...

http://www.mitcablesexpress.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=382&category_id=108&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=14

Don

I just picked up a 10' speaker wire pair and an interconnect from MIT. I'm very, very happy with them. The only thing wrong is that the arrow is printed in the incorrect direction, but the labels on the ends are correct. And they charged me twice for my one order, and that was a big, irritating ordeal.

[TECHNOKID]

Reported!