Is Cardas hook up wire worth it? Other brands like or close to it for less work?

[Jeff M.]

Good Afternoon everyone. So, I did call Cardas and they recommended their 15 .5 Gauge hook up wire due to the efficiency of my speakers but, not all my speakers are that efficient. I was going to go to the 11.5 gauge wire. They are the same price at Parts connection in Canada. Cardas made sure to tell me to get a soldering pot to get the urethane enamelled off the ends of the wire. So, is it worth it to buy Cardas wire and a solding pot and go through all that work or is there another good hook up wire out there? I see much more expensive NeoTech and Duelund brand of hook up wire’s as well. I read somewhere that a diyer buys Air core Inductors and unwinds them for speaker wire? The flat copper kind. So, what’s everyone’s thoughts and opinions and experiences? What do you recommend? Thanks Jeff

 

[Martini]

Any stranded OFC wire of sufficient gauge will work just fine. The fancy (& expensive) audiophile wire will not bring any sonic improvements in the human hearing frequencies. Save your money.

 

[mcochris]

... fancy (& expensive) audiophile wire will not bring you any sonic improvements ...

In addition, using a solder pot is largely a waste of time and money for small-scale projects. If you’re going to solder the wires anyway, consider using Teflon-insulated wire. Teflon insulation is much tougher than PVC and won’t melt back during soldering. It also won’t make any sonic difference.

 

[stvnharr]

Good Afternoon everyone. So, I did call Cardas and they recommended their 15 .5 Gauge hook up wire due to the efficiency of my speakers but, not all my speakers are that efficient. I was going to go to the 11.5 gauge wire. They are the same price at Parts connection in Canada. Cardas made sure to tell me to get a soldering pot to get the urethane enamelled off the ends of the wire. So, is it worth it to buy Cardas wire and a solding pot and go through all that work or is there another good hook up wire out there? I see much more expensive NeoTech and Duelund brand of hook up wire’s as well. I read somewhere that a diyer buys Air core Inductors and unwinds them for speaker wire? The flat copper kind. So, what’s everyone’s thoughts and opinions and experiences? What do you recommend? Thanks Jeff

It is your project, and you can choose any wire you like. If you choose Cardas wire then the solder pot is essential. Otherwise, it gets rather difficult to remove the enameled coating on the wire. I have been down that road, so don't go there.
If you go on a forum, pretty much any forum, and ask for recommendations, you usually get advised to just use the cheapest wire as wire makes no difference.

 

[Laika2]

Close to, I'll go the exact same, 12 Gauge zip cord will be no different to your ears or measurements.

 

[DVDdoug]

due to the efficiency of my speakers but, not all my speakers are that efficient.

The rule-of-thumb is that wire resistance should be 1/8th of the speaker impedance, or less.

You probably know this but fatter wire (lower gage) has less resistance and shorter runs have less resistance.

Wire Gauge Chart

...Don't forget to double the distance, since there are two wires and it's the total round-trip resistance that counts.

The problem isn't JUST the signal loss (which efficiency would help with). It's the fact that impedance varies over the frequency range so the signal-loss varies over the frequency range, messing-up frequency response. That all can be avoided if we make the signal-loss insignificant.

Watch out for CCA (copper clad aluminum). It has higher resistance than copper.

 

[tineared]

Any name-brand 12 AWG 100% OFC will be fine
If you want to make your life simpler, Amazon carries WBC brand wiring of better than you need quality at reasonable prices

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNCNYMVH/?coliid=I13CG11R18Q3I9&colid=30ZDGT2LTORV4&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[G|force]

For chassis hook up wire I use reputable brands that have certification like Alpha or Belden.

 

[amirm]

Cardas made sure to tell me to get a soldering pot to get the urethane enamelled off the ends of the wire.

I hate these kind of wires (litz). I would get some 12 gauge copper wire and use that instead.

 

[dlaloum]

6moons audio reviews: DIY Cables - The White Lightning Moonshine

6moons.com

 

[OldHvyMec]

I've used SOOW and JSoow for over 40 years to make cables. .25 to 2.50 per foot, depending on the size and number of conductors. Buy armor and shrink tube in the colors and application so the casing doesn't mark furniture, floors, corners or walls. I've used OCC, tinned OCC, and OCC/silver clad and found no improvement other than a cost increase. I do like a teflon casing for toughness and the fact that it's slick and easier on corners, wood or any thing they rub/chafe against.

What is the cost per foot of Cardas cabling vs stranded OFC zip cord? I've never used the stuff.

I've never used small stranded Litz wire. I have used it a couple of times on larger hookup wire for generators. 1.0 6-8 strand. Friggin' PITA in the field.

I've used miles of Napa Belden in cable builds and repairs through the years on heavy equipment.

Regards

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Any stranded OFC wire of sufficient gauge will work just fine. The fancy (& expensive) audiophile wire will not bring any sonic improvements in the human hearing frequencies. Save your money.

Even "OFC" is empty marketing verbiage -- virtually all copper used for electrical applications is more than "OFC" enough for audio cabling and always has been. "OFC" reminds me of foods that are prominently labeled "gluten-free" when the actual product -- e.g. Rice Chex® -- never had any gluten content in the first place!

 

[Bruce Morgen]

I hate these kind of wires (litz). I would get some 12 gauge copper wire and use that instead.

Anyone who's even tried to solder a 3.5mm TRS plug to a floppy/limp headphone cable shares your hatred -- Litz wire is a PITA and entirely unnecessary for speaker wiring.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

If you choose Cardas wire then the solder pot is essential.

...and a solder pot requires reliable ventilation -- preferably a ducted exhaust fan hood -- to deal with the fumes.

 

[Jeff M.]

Thanks everyone for the advice and the suggestions. I will not be buying Cardas wire to much work. I will buy regular ofc 12 gauge copper wire nothing fancy or expensive and go from there. Am glade I saved money on cables. That’s why I Joined this Forum.. I got tired of the hype or flavor of the month hifi reviews. I will update you when I get my wire.. Thanks again everyone and have a wonderful night. Jeff

 

[Laika2]

Thanks everyone for the advice and the suggestions. I will not be buying Cardas wire to much work. I will buy regular ofc 12 gauge copper wire nothing fancy or expensive and go from there. Am glade I saved money on cables. That’s why I Joined this Forum.. I got tired of the hype or flavor of the month hifi reviews. I will update you when I get my wire.. Thanks again everyone and have a wonderful night. Jeff

That's the great thing here, you will end uo saving money to buy something else you desire that will make a major difference in your system.

 

[Jeff M.]

So, It just dawned on me‍. I might have some magnet wire and I could use that for speaker wire. I bought Anti-cable 0veer 20 years ago when they were first starting. I got to talk to Owner Paul and his wife took my order. Very nice family. So, I think for 20 feet of his cables (When he was selling it per. foot for the diyer) and shipping it was around $33.00 not to bad. Now I remember I couldn’t tell the difference between that and some Linn K400 biwire my friend had are time. Things that come back to you when you get older. It’s either in pieces here and there over time or memory with all the information comes all together at once. Jeff

 

[Jeff M.]

Good morning everyone. I found some wire I liked at home depot. So, Will this wire be okay to use for my speaker wire? Only 0.60 cents a foot. Here’s a picture of it. Thanks Jeff

 

[Panelhead]

I have been using Canare speaker cables. Like any copper product price has increased over time. But is still reasonably priced.
Benchmark uses this wire to make the Benchmark branded speaker cable. They say it MEASURES better, due to quad construction.

 

[Speedskater]

Sure the Home Depot wire will be great.
Color code the wire ends with tape.
Twist the two wire a few times per foot.
Copper is getting pricey.