Speaker cables are a commonly overlooked part of the audio signal transmission process, but they are still an important part of your speaker system. The length and type of cable can have a significant impact on the sound quality you get out of your speakers, so it is important to know what you’re buying before you commit to anything. This article aims to provide readers with a comprehensive guide to what to look for in coaxial speaker cable.
What is a coaxial speaker cable?
There are a lot of people out there who will tell you that coaxial speaker cable is the way to go. They’ll tell you that it’s more durable, that it provides better sound quality, and that it’s overall a better investment than traditional speaker wire.
And while all of those things may be true, there’s one big reason why you shouldn’t buy cheap coaxial speaker cable: it doesn’t provide the same level of protection from electrical interference as higher-priced options.
The coaxial speaker cable is made up of two conductor wires — an inner wire and an outer shield — surrounded by an insulating material. The inner conductor is typically made of copper, while the outer protection is usually made of aluminum or copper mesh.
The insulation between the two conductors helps to prevent signal interference from outside sources like power lines or radio frequencies. But because the inner conductor is only protected by a thin layer of insulation, it’s much more susceptible to interference than thicker, higher-priced options.
If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality from your speakers, we recommend investing in a high-quality coaxial speaker cable. Yes, it may cost a bit more upfront, but you’ll be glad you did when you’re enjoying crystal-clear sound without any interference.
How to identify coaxial speaker cable
A coaxial speaker cable is a type of audio cable that is commonly used to connect speakers to amplifiers or other audio devices. The term “coaxial” refers to the fact that the cable has two conductors (the inner conductor and the outer conductor), which are surrounded by an insulating material.
There are a few things that you can look for in order to identify coaxial speaker cable:
1. The first thing you should look for is the outer jacket of the cable. Coaxial speaker cable will typically have a thicker outer jacket than regular audio cable. This is necessary in order to protect the inner conductors from electromagnetic interference (EMI).
2. Another way to identify coaxial speaker cables is by looking at the connectors. The coaxial cable will typically have RCA connectors, which are also known as phono plugs. These connectors are designed specifically for use with coaxial cables.
3. Finally, you can also identify the coaxial speaker cable by its gauge. This refers to the thickness of the inner conductor. Coaxial speaker cable is typically available in 16 or 18-gauge.
Why it’s important to buy quality coaxial speaker cable
There are a few reasons why it’s important to buy quality coaxial speaker cables. First, cheap coaxial cable is more likely to have impedance mismatches. This can cause signal loss and distortion. Second, cheap coaxial cable is more likely to be made with sub-par materials.
This can cause the cable to break down over time, or even fail immediately. Finally, cheap coaxial cable is less flexible, which can make it difficult to work with and install.
Coaxial Speaker Cable Buying Guide: Cable Wire Gauge, Channel Separation & Frequency Response
When it comes to speaker cables, there are three main things you need to consider: gauge, channel separation, and frequency response. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right coaxial speaker cable for your needs.
Cable Wire Gauge
The gauge of a speaker cable refers to the thickness of the wire. The thicker the wire, the better the sound quality will be. However, thicker wires are also more expensive. For most people, a 16-gauge wire is perfectly adequate. If you’re looking for the best sound quality possible, go for a 14-gauge wire.
Channel Separation
Channel separation is important if you’re using multiple speakers. If the speakers are too close together, they can interfere with each other and cause sound quality to suffer. Make sure to buy speaker cable that has good channel separation to avoid this problem.
Frequency Response
Frequency response is a measure of how well a speaker can reproduce different frequencies of sound. The higher the frequency response, the better the sound quality will be. Look for a speaker cable with a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz for best results.
Conclusion
Cheap coaxial speaker cable may seem like a good deal, but it can actually end up costing you more in the long run. This type of cable is prone to signal loss and interference, which can degrade your audio quality.
In addition, cheap coaxial speaker cable is often not as durable as more expensive options, meaning you’ll have to replace it more frequently. For these reasons, it’s best to invest in a higher-quality speaker cable that will give you better sound quality and longer-lasting performance.
