[net.audio] Speakers choices and wires

wjm@whuxk.UUCP (07/10/83)

For all of you who are interested in getting a new set of speakers, this month's
"Stereo Review" (August 83), makes interesting reading.  There are several
articles about how to choose a set of speakers that I highly recommend.
The same issue also has the results of a speaker wire test which compared 
Monster Cable, 16 gauge zip cord, and the standard 24 gauge speaker wire thrown
in by many dealers.  The key results of the test was that there was an audible
improvement when Monster Cable or 16ga cord were used in place of the 24 gauge
stuff, but there was little difference between 16ga cord and Monster Cable when
actual music was used for listening tests.   The test reinforces what I and others
have said to the net - that you want to keep the resistance of your speaker wire
small (relative to the speaker impedance) so that :
a) the amplifier can control the "back EMF" generated by the speakers, preventing
   excess cone excursions and "mushy" bass
b) the amplifier power you paid for is going to the speakers and not just heating
  up the speaker wires.
I'd agree with their conclusion, that for normal length runs (up to 30 feet or
so) with 8 ohm speakers, 16 gauge zip cord (available from your friendly hard-
ware store or electrical supply house - its a bit heavier than the standard
18 gauge lamp cord) is a reasonable choice.  If you have longer runs, a higher
power amplifier (over 100 w/ch RMS), or 4 ohm speakers, you probably should
use 14 or 12 gauge cord (the lower the number the heavier the wire and the
lower its resistance).  The SJ type sold for use with power tools will work
quite well - I personally use 14 gauge SJ cord.
For the record, the test used a Perreaux PMF 2150B amp driving KEF 105.2
speakers through 30 feet of test wire which was randomly selected by an ABX
comparitor (the comparitor randomly selected either cable A or B and recorded
its choice for analysis at the end of the test).  Neither the subject or the
experimenter knew which cable was being used during the test.
                                                     Bill Mitchell
                                                     (whuxk!wjm)

Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this article are my personal opinions
and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, Bell Laboratories.