Re: Using twisted wire for speaker cable?

[Robert L Bass <sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hi All,
>
> Is there any inherent disadvantage to using a twisted pair of wires to
> connect home theatre speakers? Most speaker wire seems to be the flat,
> "zip cord" variety, and I was wondering if there is some reason for that?

In and of itself, twisted pair does neither harm nor good to the
signal.  However, most TP cable is 24-gauge, which is too small
to carry the kind of power a home theater system normally
requires.  I usually use 10- or 12-gauge cable for the front
left, right and center channel speakers.  Surround speakers get
14- or 16-gauge.  The sub-woofer, if it's self-powered (most are)
uses shielded interconnect cable, commonly called RCA cable
because of the RCA connectors on each end.  Since the signal it
carries is usually less than 2VAC, gauge isn't a big deal.  While
installing HT systems for a living, I used to run 22-gauge,
shielded cable plus 10-gauge, 2-conductor cable for the sub in
case the client decided to use a separate amp in the equipment
stack to run the sub woofer.

One thing to note about speaker cable.  So-called "high end"
speaker wire is 100% hype and 0% benefit.  All of the
pseudo-scientific drivel in the ads for Monster and all the other
makers of "specialty" speaker and interconnect cable is pure and
unadulterated bunk.  Waste nothing on fancy cable.  Save the
money for better speakers or nicer gear.

Have fun.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com