speaker cable--- how much extra

[newpolkman]

I am ordering my speaker cable this weekend----- signalcable biwire. Would like your opinions on how much extra-- or how much slack is recomended. The two main fronts will take about 8ft each to hook up ------ would 10ft be too much extra ? The center speaker only needs to be 6ft -- 8ft would give 2ft slack. Thanks for all of your help------- this forum has helped me a lot----- rex

[RuSsMaN]

2ft is fine. If you think you might move your system later, buy a couple / few ft more. I only *need* 7ft on my mains, but I have 12ft cables. Comes in handy to demo / setup other speakers without having to *move* anything.

You won't be wasting your money, and certainly won't notice a degredation in sound quality.

[4_everyman]

I concur with RuSsMaN. A few extra feet shouldn't alter the sound quality and the flexibility is handy.

You never know when you might move your gear or speakers around and then the extra length will come in handy. I've never been angry with myself for buying speaker wire that was too long, but i have when i bought too little.

Rgds,
--Pete

[reeltrouble1]

I would consider getting a little more than 2 exra feet. Do you think you might reconfigure your room at some point? Even if you just changed your rack around two feet will not let you move things much.:)

[Tour2ma]

npm,
Whatever "extra" length you opt for do not coil the excess as it creats the potential to induce a magnetic field which in turn can reinduce extraneous current in the wire. The impact is dependant upon the number of coils, their diameter and the amount of current being carried. Normally the level is extremely low to be sure, but is easily avoided by gathering excess up serpentine style.

[CT2]

I suggest keep front and center cable same length for better
matching.

[dorokusai]

They have all said it allready, always grab a couple extra feet.

I run Signal Double Run, for all the 5.1

The mains are 10ft, and the center is 2ft, and I experience no "Timing" or "Matching" issues with the shorter run. Just FYI.

[Airplay355]

i think that would only matter if u had high guage wire or if you had 40 ft runs of wire for each main lol

[dorokusai]

I agree Airplay. I was just giving an example of a no problems length.

[newpolkman]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
npm,
Whatever "extra" length you opt for do not coil the excess as it creats the potential to induce a magnetic field which in turn can reinduce extraneous current in the wire. The impact is dependant upon the number of coils, their diameter and the amount of current being carried. Normally the level is extremely low to be sure, but is easily avoided by gathering excess up serpentine style. This is a great forum------ Thanks to all of you I'm learning more ------ your advise is greatly appreciated. rex

[sperino]

where do ya'll get good prices on speaker wire? What is the best brand for the price? I'm re-wiring my system for a new home. I didn't run the wire last time.

Also, I read recently that bi-wiring was just a bunch of hype and that it is not necessary or overly effieient in most cases. Any truth to these assertions?