Speaker cable cross-section: how important is the diameter
Loudspeaker cables with a particularly large cross-section are often touted as the optimal transmission solution. In this practical tip, we explain the influence that the cable diameter really has.
The influence of the speaker cable cross-section - that is the diameter
Strictly speaking, the cross-section does not affect the loudspeaker cable itself, but the loudspeaker line, i.e. the conductive part of the cable.
- Due to the resistance, the inductance and the capacitance of the line, a loudspeaker cable acts like an RC or LR link; a passive low pass filter. Its cut-off frequency depends significantly on the resistance, which can be reduced by a larger cable cross-section.
- However, even with hundreds of meters of cable, the cutoff frequency is still significantly above the audible frequency range.
- The cross-section has a greater influence on the loss of power: the thicker the line, the less useful power is lost.
- The usual cables have a cross section of 2.5 or 3.5 mm². With a cable length of 5 m, this leads to a loss of approximately 1%.
- For lengths over 20 meters, you should consider cables with a cross-section of more than 4 mm², otherwise the loss can increase by more than 5%. This is a line diameter of less than 1.2 mm.
What should you watch out for with speaker cables?
While the cable diameter doesn't have too much of an impact on quality, the following tips will help you get the best sound:
- Use the shortest possible speaker cables to minimize losses.
- Route the cables away from electrical fields emanating from other devices and lines.
- If you have active speakers, ideally transmit speaker signals symmetrically via XLR or jack.
- The connection type is usually more important than the cross-section. We present speaker connections and their advantages in a special practical tip.
- For passive loudspeakers and really high volumes, use the usual screw-clamp connection.