Long or Short Speaker/interconnects?

[mr.me]

I am about to relocate my system and having monoblock amps I would like to know whether it's preferable to have long speaker cables and short interconnects or the other way round. 

 

[Fourlegs]

I think the consensus is that short speaker cables and longer interconnects are the best option but this is the Wam so you get 98 different answers ranging from it doesn't matter either way to why not buy all in one DAC/AMP/Speakers.

I have my monoblocks right next to each speaker so the speaker cables are only 80cm long.

 

[greybeard]

If the interconnects are xlr then the length should not matter within reason, so short speaker cables would be the better option, in that scenario.

 

[mr.me]

Single ended RCA interconnects. Probably talking about 6m

 

[Bodgit]

Single ended RCA interconnects. Probably talking about 6m

I'd probably go for shorter interconnects and longer speaker cable runs then. Two reasons (a) metre for meter I think you'll pay more for interconnects than speaker cables or put it another way - better quality interconnects will have a bigger advantage than better quality speaker cables (b) longer interconnects give higher risk of noise.

So decent quality but short interconnects coupled with longer and less-quality speaker cables if you get my drift.

 

[Speedskater]

The first thing to look at is the loudspeaker impedance curve. If it looks like a roller coaster track or has very low impedance at high frequencies (think Apogee) then shorter speaker cables are called for.

For longer RCA interconnects (6 meters), chose a coax with a heavy braided shield.

 

[Trunky]

The first thing to look at is the loudspeaker impedance curve. If it looks like a roller coaster track or has very low impedance at high frequencies (think Apogee) then shorter speaker cables are called for.

Can you explain why? I'd like to see hard evidence for that.

 

[tIANcI]

XLR is of good quality (not meaning expensive) will happily work with a 30’ run. Since you have monoblocks, leave them by the speaker. Looks great too.

 

[uzzy]

The ideal is as short a length of speaker cable as possible .. however the same is true of RCA cables - so unless you have balanced connections from pre to power amps then a long run of RCA  cable defeats the objective and is probably worse than running long lengths of speaker cable.  Long lengths of RCA coax can be microphonic and if tapped or walked on will induce sound.

So if you do not have balanced out from pre and balanced in on your amps it may be better to run long speaker leads .. Perhaps there are some wammers in here who have tried both and can impart their views?

 

[miloat]

I like to live on the edge my speaker cables don't match lengthwise and i can't tell the difference.

 

[greybeard]

I like to live on the edge my speaker cables don't match lengthwise and i can't tell the difference.

Just think how much quicker one speaker is getting the signal than the other

 

[Camverton]

In the past I have tried varying the length of speaker vs interconnect cables and also used balanced when I had BT amp. My conclusion fwiw is that within a domestic setup, even when connecting between rooms, I didn't notice any long term difference. In the short term I suppose every change made a short term improvement but that was down to listening more intently after a change! I don't even bother to keep my speaker cables equal lengths now. Listening is more enjoyable not worrying about these things or wondering if I should be doing blind testing  because someone on the internet keeps going on about it!

 

[Camverton]

Just think how much quicker one speaker is getting the signal than the other

Yes but last time my ears had a race the left one won so different cable lengths compensate... 

 

[Bodgit]

I like to live on the edge my speaker cables don't match lengthwise and i can't tell the difference.

They're not impedance matched cables then? 

 

[newlash09]

My friend uses different internal length wiring in his 3 way speakers. To time align the drivers

 

[Camverton]

My friend uses different internal length wiring in his 3 way speakers. To time align the drivers

Some of my speakers do as well, sort of! Mind you they are Quad electrostatics.

 

[newlash09]

Some of my speakers do as well, sort of! Mind you they are Quad electrostatics.

Do those quads use different metal wires for different frequencies as well. If they don't, then they still haven't beat my friend at it

 

[rabski]

Do the maths.

Unless you have monster levels of power and/or cables (speaker or interconnect) with significant (unwanted) electrical properties, the main considerations are cost and the potential for interference pickup with long interconnects.

If it's a relatively large distance (relative in domestic hifi terms) I would probably use long speaker cables and short interconnects. But I'd also suggest that neither will be the 'wrong' solution.

 

[mr.me]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I make my own speaker and interconnect cables. Because of room logistics ( did the move today) I have ended up with short speaker cables and long intreconnects, though the cable I use is quad screened, two braids and two foil. In fact it look as though one intercoonect will end up being twice the length as the other