Most of the time, people focus on the speakers themselves regarding audio equipment. However, you may be surprised to learn that cable can significantly affect your sound system’s performance.
The Difference between Coaxial Speaker Cable and Twisted Pair
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There are three main types of speaker cables: coaxial, twisted pair, and balanced. Coaxial cable is the most common type of speaker cable. It consists of two inner conductors (the “hot” and “cold” wires) surrounded by an insulating material and a shield.
The shield helps to protect the inner conductors from interference. Twisted pair cable is similar to coaxial cable, but the inner conductors are twisted around each other. This helps to reduce interference between the two wires.
Balanced cable is used in professional audio applications and consists of three wires: two “hot” wires and one “cold” wire. The hot wires carry the signal, while the cold wire acts as a ground.
What Type of Cable Should You Use?
The type of cable you use for your speakers can significantly impact the quality of sound you get. There are three main types of speaker cables: coaxial, twisted pair, and optical.
Coaxial cables are the most common type of speaker cable. They are made of two conductors that are wrapped around each other. The inner conductor is usually made of copper or silver, and the outer conductor is typically made of aluminium or copper. Coaxial cables are suitable for carrying signals over long distances without losing quality.
Twisted pair cables are made of two insulated wires that are twisted together. They are typically used for short runs between speakers and audio components. Twisted pair cables can be more challenging to work with than coaxial cables because they can be easily tangled.
Optical cables are made of glass or plastic fibres that carry light signals. They are often used in high-end audio systems because they provide the best sound quality. Optical cables can be more expensive than other speaker cables and challenging to work with.
How to Install Your Coaxial Speaker Cable
If you want to improve the sound quality of your home theatre or audio setup, you may wonder if you should upgrade your speaker cable. While many different types and brands of speaker cable are available, one of the most popular choices is coaxial speaker cable. This article will discuss coaxial speaker cables and how to install them in your system.
The coaxial speaker cable comprises two conductors (an inner conductor and an outer conductor) surrounded by insulation.
The inner conductor is typically made of copper or silver-plated copper, while the outer conductor is made of aluminium or copper mesh. Coaxial cable is often referred to as “coax” for short.
When installing a coaxial speaker cable, it’s essential to avoid kinking or crushing the cable, as this can damage the conductors and affect performance. It’s also essential to keep the cable away from power cables or other sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI).
To minimize the risk of EMI, it’s best to run the cable along a different path than power cables or use a shielded cable.
Use fire-rated conduits or enclosures if you’re running the coaxial speaker cable through walls or ceilings. When making connections, use only high-quality connectors designed for use with coaxial cable. Avoid using makeshift connections or adapters, as these can cause signal loss.
Conclusion
As you can see, a coaxial speaker cable is a vital part of any audio system. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the full range of sound your speakers can produce. Now that you know more about coaxial cable, you can ensure that your following audio setup is adequately equipped with the right cables.
