scott@psy.uwa.oz.au (Scott Fisher) (05/17/91)
I am not sure if anyone has mentioned this reference before however, all those of you interested in the issue of speaker cables should check out the article... Greiner, R. A. (1980) Amplifier-Loudspeaker Interfacing Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, May-28(5) It is a study carried out to look at the behaviour of loudspeaker cables, crossover network elements and other items in the amplifier-speaker interface circuit. I doubt that it will change the beliefs of those of you with an "religious" belief in $100+/meter cable, however it provides an interesting starting point to a more objective approach to the subject. If I may just quote the conclusion.... "It has been shown that loudspeaker cables need not be treated as transmission lines; that, infact, transmission line theory can give misleading results for very short lines; and that short lines should be trated as lumped lines. On the other hand, with a poor choice of load or longer cables there may be some defects in phase or frequency response or some resonances introduced in the extreme upper audio frequency range." Before you get excited, have a look at what Greiner means by "longer" cables I think you will be surprised. To continue... "It is clear that "normal" cables are suitable, essentially perfect, compared to other defects in the transmission system, not the lest of which is the loudspeaker crossover network and level pad arrangement. The use of "special" cables, including normal coaxial cable, is not warranted except in a few extraordinary applications. And in those applications, short runs of cable would be a better solution." Once again, please check out the article and see what "extraordinary applications" means. It does not mean your super expensive hi-fi set up qualifys as one of these "extraordinary" conditions. It reffers to something else entirely. Regards Scott.