Ratio of signal propagation speed to speed of light. Usually only relevant for RF frequencies and impedance-matched transmission lines.
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Nordost SuperFlatLine Speaker Cable Review
- Thread starter amirm
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theREALdotnet
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The speed of light depends much on the medium the electromagnetic wave is travelling in. Only in vacuum is the speed of light equal to c.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velocity_factor
EDIT: As for measuring it, Alan Wolke has a cool video about measuring the length of a cable with just a 9V battery, a resistor and an oscilloscope, given the velocity factor of the cable. In the same fashion you can measure the velocity factor, given the length of the cable.
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I'm not a cable nutter, but I have got a question about nordost flat cables, like a 2-flat, or the superflatline.
The ONLY reason I fancy some flatline, is to run around the front of fireplace, under a carpet, and fold it over itself at each 90Deg corner.
With this in mind, is it still worth me finding some cheap nordost flatline and doing this? I do not want to drill holes, run it over the fireplace, or any of that, it HAS to be round the front of it.
The issue with what I have already, which is Rega Quattro FSC (split into just 2-core runs) is that bending it at 90Deg and keeping it flat under carpet just won't happen.
I do not believe I can hear the difference in cables btw, but I do like the idea of sticking with a branded cable like Rega, or a cable like a Nordost I can fold flat.
Yes, im aware likely some amazon bellwire would sound the same and be thin enough to run 90Deg bends under carpet I suppose, but I'm not into that either, Im an OCD sufferer and once I get a particular liking for a way of doing things, I need to stick to it, hence why I arrived at a credit card thinness cable invisible under the carpet.
Thoughts?
Would folding it over on itself flat ruin the conductor? Would it eventually break continuity?
Speakers are RS10, so a fair bit of juice going to them, they have 4-drivers.
Also the amp is on one side, so the run to the LH around the fireplace is going to be 6.5m, and the run to the RH speaker is going to be 1.5m as its close to the amp. No issues?
The ONLY reason I fancy some flatline, is to run around the front of fireplace, under a carpet, and fold it over itself at each 90Deg corner.
With this in mind, is it still worth me finding some cheap nordost flatline and doing this? I do not want to drill holes, run it over the fireplace, or any of that, it HAS to be round the front of it.
The issue with what I have already, which is Rega Quattro FSC (split into just 2-core runs) is that bending it at 90Deg and keeping it flat under carpet just won't happen.
I do not believe I can hear the difference in cables btw, but I do like the idea of sticking with a branded cable like Rega, or a cable like a Nordost I can fold flat.
Yes, im aware likely some amazon bellwire would sound the same and be thin enough to run 90Deg bends under carpet I suppose, but I'm not into that either, Im an OCD sufferer and once I get a particular liking for a way of doing things, I need to stick to it, hence why I arrived at a credit card thinness cable invisible under the carpet.
Thoughts?
Would folding it over on itself flat ruin the conductor? Would it eventually break continuity?
Speakers are RS10, so a fair bit of juice going to them, they have 4-drivers.
Also the amp is on one side, so the run to the LH around the fireplace is going to be 6.5m, and the run to the RH speaker is going to be 1.5m as its close to the amp. No issues?
The manufacturer claims 99.9999% pure copper. I doubt very much that it is true. An assay is needed.
-Not that it matters to sound quality, but we ought to be checking manufacturers claims for accuracy.
-Not that it matters to sound quality, but we ought to be checking manufacturers claims for accuracy.
Never.
Never do this, because there is a minimum bend radius for copper conductors. Even 90 degree bend is bad for the fragile copper.
I've never had a 90 degree bend cause an issue with speaker wire....and how is it fragile particularly?
Holmz
Major Contributor
In theory one cold fold it and solder the triangle…
Where does one get the stufy fin bulk as raw cable?
Where does one get the stufy fin bulk as raw cable?
If you want to waste your money then go ahead otherwise there are other much much cheaper options
OP
- Thread Starter
- #229
There are plenty of low cost flat speaker cables. Just do a search and pick the one that meets your needs.
Keith_W
Master Contributor
I don't think a flat cable is a waste of money. Sometimes you need it. But overpaying for brand name flat cable is a waste of money. I would buy something like this ribbon cable for $2.75 a meter and solder the ends together with some heat shrink tubing to make a larger conductor.
Sewell Ghost Wire 2.0, Super Flat Adhesive Wire, 16 AWG (2 conductor) or 18 AWG (4 conductor), White
Make speaker wires disappear right on the wall or under the carpet with Sewell Ghost Wire. This super-flat speaker wire can be used on almost any flat surface. Perfect for running stereo signals across rooms, around corners, in automobiles, under flooring, or any situation where wires cannot be...
sewelldirect.com
Obviously strain relief and insulation tends to prevent a rectangular 90 degree bend. Circular bend radius also because it prevents damage to the fragile copper.
Not sure what you mean about preventing a bend. My speaker wire takes 90 degree turns several times on several of my runs without issue. Still, I haven't found the copper in speaker wire all that fragile. Maybe CCA. With a good strand count it's quite flexible.
Well, flat cable will have copper strands spread out making it more fragile. Looking at minimum bend radius of conductors like 6 times diameter, means 90 degrees will not be recommended there either. So you don't have to believe me when experts would say similar things.
Ah, lost track of the flat cable bit
, sorry (and which 90 degree kind of turn). I ran flat just once, now I make do with standard, even if longer, harder routing.
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That’s what I meant! Buy cheaper flat cables!
THAT is exactly what I had in mind for the Super Flat Line, or Liefstyle 2. Some people are suggesting no, some people are saying yes!
Nordost themselves say it can be bent, but I'm not sure if they are meaning quite like the above.
If you hunt around you can find off the reel "bargains" Works out at under $10/pm mostly.
Yeah dont get me wrong, I think all cables are a scam, but I just want something not chinese off Amazon, that supports an install like the gif above.
I've seen some Nordost cables with bits of wood attached ffs, it's absolutely moronic.
You can get used or off the reel bits of superflatline or Leifstyle 2 for a fraction of the price if you hunt about online.
Anyone got any opinions on the Leifstyle ones? They are allegedly the thickness of a credit card.
Does many tiny strands mean WORSE performance than a large flat foil of copper like the Ghost cable?
I am concerned about noise pickup, as the longer 6m LH one will for about 1m run close to the mains cable for one of the subs, mind u its like that just now with regular cable above the carpet.... so maybe OK.
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