Internal speaker wires

[rokr]

So i got into DIY speaker building lately and enjoy all aspects of it, but there is something i don't understand.
Are internal speaker wires as important as external cables? if so, why are internal cables in most commercial speaker and in DIY kits are so thin and also the wiring between crossover part are even thinner. Which internal speaker wires do you use?

​

 

[brooklands]

Internal cables are just as important as the external ones.

 

[BDWoody]

So i got into DIY speaker building lately and enjoy all aspects of it, but there is something i don't understand.
Are internal speaker wires as important as external cables? if so, why are internal cables in most commercial speaker and in DIY kits are so thin and also the wiring between crossover part are even thinner.

Because they were likely chosen to be competent for the job they are being asked to do, rather than to be part of a show.

The whole 'cable thing' in audiophile-land is beyond silly.

 

[fpitas]

I use 14AWG in-wall twisted pair from Monoprice. Like BDWoody said, the cable woo-woo is nonsense. They're wires, not magic wands.

 

[Beave]

Internal cables are just as important as the external ones.

Yes, in that all one needs is the appropriate gauge for the length.

For wires outside the speaker, the length might be long, and thus a thicker gauge is needed.

For wires inside the speaker, they're usually a foot or two in length, and thus a thick wire is not necessary.

 

[7Tiger]

why are internal cables in most commercial speaker and in DIY kits are so thin and also the wiring between crossover part are even thinner. Which internal speaker wires do you use?

Because 0,5 - 1 mm² for HF and 1 - 1,5 mm² for LF is enough for such short runs as internal connections inside the speaker cabinet.
I use plain electrical wire or some inexpensive speaker cable like Sommer or Cordial

 

[fpitas]

Far more important than the type of wire you use in DIY is making sure your connections are tight and remain so.

 

[rokr]

Thanks. A thick cable for long runs a thinner one for short runs.
Shouldn't have skipped those electricity lessons...

 

[Trell]

Thanks. A thick cable for long runs a thinner one for short runs.
Shouldn't have skipped those electricity lessons...

Here’s an article about impedance, gauge and length for speaker wire as well as much other good info.

This article by Roger Russel is evergreen and never becomes old.

Speaker Wire

 

[fpitas]

Audio Myth - "Damping Factor Isn't Much of a Factor"

Myth - "Damping Factor Isn't Much of a Factor" Myth - "A Damping Factor of 10 is High Enough" Myth - "All Amplifiers Have a High-Enough Damping Factor" Where did these Myths Originate? These myths seem to trace back to a well-known paper (PDF) written by Dick Pierce. His analysis shows that a...

benchmarkmedia.com

Note total lack of woo-woo.

 

[droid2000]

Wires in speakers are thin because that's all thats needed since they are hidden inside the speaker and don't need to be fluffed up by the marketing team to steal your money.

Although the new cables from https://ifi-audio.com are so hot right now.

 

[Killingbeans]

Internal cables are just as important as the external ones.

True. Important in the sense that: No wire = no sound.

Unimportant in the sense that any wire with sufficient gauge and specific resistance for the length in question will do the job.

 

[Rick Sykora]

Sticking to stranded copper and soft jacketing avoids strained connections and allows easier routing to avoid rub/buzz issues. Also prefer something colored as it just makes polarity more obvious.

 

[TurtlePaul]

Thanks. A thick cable for long runs a thinner one for short runs.
Shouldn't have skipped those electricity lessons...

Amazing that you took away the wrong thing.

1. resistance, 2. inductance, 3. capacitance are all that matters.

This electrical parameters of cables have been extensively tested to show that garden variety 16 AWG is perfect i. the audible band at normal lengths and 14 AWG is fine for longer runs. In most cases the resistance and inductance of normal cables is less than the error tolerances of the parts used in the crossover.

 

[Leeken]

Wires in speakers are thin because that's all thats needed since they are hidden inside the speaker and don't need to be fluffed up by the marketing team to steal your money.

Although the new cables from https://ifi-audio.com are so hot right now.

I thought that was an April fools,then I remembered we’re into July,maybe an out of date April fools? No you can actually add it to a basket! Looks like bloody cooker element.

 

[Rick Sykora]

I find it ironic that the same folks claiming the need for expensive speaker cables are the same ones advocating the need for air core conductors in crossovers. A typical woofer crossover would have one or more inductors in series with the driver(s). An open core inductor of the typical values needed is tens of feet of wire and would typically have a resistance of at least .25 ohm. Using 2 inductors may put half an ohm or more in series with the woofer.

No fancy speaker cable is going to improve upon having way more added resistance inside the box than outside.

 

[mhardy6647]

Internal cables are just as important as the external ones.

Yup.
And exactly as irrelevant, too.


As long as wire conducts electricity and doesn't heat up appreciably while doing so -- it's probably completely fit for purpose.

Just like the wiring inside a hifi component, or in the AC wiring in a domicile, as compared to the one meter long power cord in between.

source: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dio-fest-report-continued.45908/#post-1636720

 

[mhardy6647]

PS If one wants to buy wires based on aesthetic design or perceived quality of construction -- that's fine*.

_____________
* With the additional qualifier that it should be safe to use, e.g., not prone to starting a fire. Of course, this applies more to AC mains cable than it does to speaker wire.

 

[Rick Sykora]

Yup.
And exactly as irrelevant, too.


As long as wire conducts electricity and doesn't heat up appreciably while doing so -- it's probably completely fit for purpose.

Just like the wiring inside a hifi component, or in the AC wiring in a domicile, as compared to the one meter long power cord in between.

source: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dio-fest-report-continued.45908/#post-1636720

As aesthetics go, I want to hear my music and not see equipment. But yes I get the picture came from a high end audio show...

Given the above, I do try to hide speaker cabling (my wife really hates visiible wires). Are those silver cables for wiring or security locks? I know what they look like to me.

 

[delta76]

Internal cables are just as important as the external ones.

and as long as you pick the right gauge and with good material (Oxy-free copper, aka OFC is one), all is good.

I opened my $7000/pair speakers, and the wires in there is probably the cheapest you can find