New speaker cable - to bi-wire or not

[tonapo]

I need to get some more speaker cable, the current cable is fine but not quite long enough. I have some Kef Reference 1's bookshelf speakers either side of a fireplace (running of a Musical Fidelity M6si, from a Topping D90). Currently I have to run the wire across the fireplace but I would like to run it around the fire place really.

So, I have been toying with the idea of making my own speaker cable but I am also looking at Blue Jeans Canare4S11 cables, I am not sure which yet. My question is around whether to get the speaker end connected as bi-wire (amp end could have four wires into two banana plugs)? Or should I just stick with a non bi-wire cable/configuration? Am I likely to get better results using the internal speaker cross-over or via bi-wiring?

Thanks for any comments or help.

 

[SIY]

Bi-wiring is of zero benefit compared with a single run with the same equivalent gauge.

 

[raindance]

Bi-wiring is utter BS.

 

[tonapo]

Thanks for the replies.

So, if I was not bi-wiring is there any point to the Canare 4S11, or could I simply use two connectors each end?

 

[mhardy6647]

Whew.
I was afraid youse guyses were gonna say that the unimpeded flow of Higgs bosons or something was enhanced by biwiring -- with the concommitant and predictably gobsmacking improvement in soundstage. Not to mention PRaT, of course*
Jaw dropping? But of course.

In all seriousness -- I am neither a physicist nor an EE, but biwiring is the one audiophile tweak/trick that just leaves me shaking my head. I'd be more favorably inclined to put a jar of magic pebbles on top of an amplifier than think that two pairs of wire in parallel could possibly have any positive, synergistic effect compared to one pair of wires of equivalent gauge.

Not that I would ever discourage empiricism, but... I mean... really.
__________
* I told you not to mention PRaT!
** The funny thing about biology vs. chemistry or physics -- pretty much any "rule" has exceptions (sometimes pretty profound ones) when it comes to living systems, so empiricism is (I'd opine) incrementally more important in the life sciences.

 

[mhardy6647]

Thanks for the replies.

So, if I was not bi-wiring is there any point to the Canare 4S11, or could I simply use two connectors each end?

That's the way my Canare speaker wires are... umm... wired (FWIW). They're 4S8, though (IIRC).
And they have adorable little cable pants on 'em, too.

Here's a similar example (sans fancy pants)

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/184136/canare-4s8-speaker-wire-man-cave-cleanout
(I have a 25 foot pair, from the same Polk forum community member -- and a good lad 'e is, too)

 

[SIY]

Thanks for the replies.

So, if I was not bi-wiring is there any point to the Canare 4S11, or could I simply use two connectors each end?

Except under very unusual circumstances, you'll do fine with a conventional 2 conductor wire. I use extension cord with the ends cut off, the finest of Home Depot's selection.

 

[tonapo]

a jar of magic pebbles on top of an amplifier

Are these an option?

 

[raindance]

Or some tiny magical dots you stick on any wall to improve the acoustics of the whole room...

 

[Adam Bernau]

Bi wiring should be called BI-PAYING

 

[tonapo]

Another thought occurs, the left speaker is pretty close to the rack, as it sits right in front. The right speaker is about 2.5m away (I need to measure) - basically a difference in length. I assume I still need the same lengths of cable and if yes, what is the best way to store the cable on the left? Would it be coiled or something else?

 

[Willem]

With cable of sufficient gauge I would not worry about unsightly excess length if the difference is as small as you say.

 

[tonapo]

Except under very unusual circumstances, you'll do fine with a conventional 2 conductor wire

So perhaps the blue jeans Belden 5T00UP 10 AWG cable as an alternative, over the Canare 4S11? I am in the UK, there looks to be about £10 difference in price for the cables for two 4m runs of terminated cables.

 

[SIY]

So perhaps the blue jeans Belden 5T00UP 10 AWG cable as an alternative, over the Canare 4S11? I am in the UK, there looks to be about £10 difference in price for the cables for two 4m runs of terminated cables.

10 gauge will be more than adequate. For most situations, it’s overkill.

 

[jhaider]

Here's a similar example (sans fancy pants)

View attachment 74925

It's nice to see someone take the extra effort to employ best practices.

Usually there's no issue just stuffing bare wire into the barrel of a speakON (or lesser speaker connector such as banana, spade, etc.) but insulated ferrules eliminate the possibility eliminate the possibility of stray strands shorting anything out.

 

[Deleted member 16502]

I'd be more favorably inclined to put a jar of magic pebbles on top of an amplifier [...]

Not for an amplifier, but Opera actually sells a CD player along with some pebbles to place on top it where they connote it makes audible differences: Behold the Opera Consonance Droplet:

 

[anmpr1]

McIntosh speakers and some amps have provisions for tri-wiring. I have no idea what that is (as opposed to tri-amping which I understand), or why it would be important. Other than it's one more than bi-wiring. One more is always better. Right? I'm sure expensive boutique cable makers love it.

 

[RayDunzl]

New speaker cable - to bi-wire or not

Join the scofflaws.

Just do it!

“Stop making sense”
― David Byrne

 

[mhardy6647]

McIntosh speakers and some amps have provisions for tri-wiring. I have no idea what that is (as opposed to tri-amping which I understand), or why it would be important. Other than it's one more than bi-wiring. One more is always better. Right? I'm sure expensive boutique cable makers love it.

It's the Nigel Tufnel signature model, doubtless.

EDIT: and magic brilliant pebbles... are always an option!


https://www.machinadynamica.com/machina31.htm

 

[JP]

I use extension cord with the ends cut off, the finest of Home Depot's selection.

I'm partial to SJOOW.