Speaker cable

[jab996]

I need to buy a quality speaker cable for my 2061cx extension cabinet. I'm thinking a 10'-15' length. Any suggestions as to which brand and what size gauge I should go with ?
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[MiniB]

Go to Speaker Cables in the Wire & Cables Department at Parts Express | 2161

 

[SGeoff]

do you want to spend or get quality for cheep? make your own from old school 2 conductor lamp cord. Heavy copper wire, cheap to buy, put 2, 1/4 inch jacks on and you are good. (that is the cheep way)
If you'd like to spend, any of the usual culprits, Monster, Planet Waves, Whirlwind, etc will all provide a cable that works good, from your local guitar shop of choice

 

[rclausen]

Why do you want such a long speaker cable? I use a 3 foot Monster and it does what it's supposed to

 

[G.L. Mitchell]

I've used the old school lamp cord many times. And if you use decent Jacks and know how to solder are have a friend who can. They will last and work great long time. A church I use to go to would bu

 

[jab996]

Why do you want such a long speaker cable? I use a 3 foot Monster and it does what it's supposed to

I thought I'd like the option of being able to space my cab apart from my combo amp, but actually I am undecided about this.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

While we are on the topic, I just made up a batch of speaker cables using a 50ft., 16AWG cable that really had no use (I hate long cables!!). I'm using the cables to run my 15W amps. As people are mentioning 12 AWG wire and lower, are these cables strong enough for my needs? They are not warm after long playing and everything sounds great. Weird analogy, but I figure I don't need a pitcher to drink a half-cup of tea.

 

[X–Ray]

I use Evidence Audio speaker cables

Good but pricey

 

[ANEAS]

I need to buy a quality speaker cable for my 2061cx extension cabinet. I'm thinking a 10'-15' length. Any suggestions as to which brand and what size gauge I should go with ?
Thanks for any suggestions.

Go and search at..... Mono Price.com for all wire and interconnects cost is one tenth to most cables on the market

 

[SWeAT hOg]

You have your answer.

Open up your cab and look at the tiny little wire that is going to the speaker.

Open up your amp, and look at the tiny little ware (or PCB-trace) that is going to the output jack. You're fine. Your cable is part of a system. An not a part that has really high requirements.


Give it no more thought than you give the A/C cable that you use to plug the amp into the wall.

Insulated? Check
Terminated? Check
Plugged in? Check
Sound coming out of speaker? Check

Done

Good to know. I used to use the same brand of wire when I DJ'd with a 1500W Yorkville power amp.

 

[Jack's back]

I've also used the lamp cord and never had a problem. You can spend as little or as much as you feel comfortable with. It's most important to keep in mind that you DO NOT use instrument cable to connect to your speaker cab.

 

[jab996]

Give it no more thought than you give the A/C cable that you use to plug the amp into the wall.

Insulated? Check
Terminated? Check
Plugged in? Check
Sound coming out of speaker? Check

Done

Okay, but will a cheaper brand suck tone or color tone ? Or microphonic ?
And why 12ga, 14ga, 16 ga ?
12ga is thicker than 16ga, correct ? So maybe consider using a thicker guage for a longer run of cable ?

 

[BuzzHaze]

I had all mine made by a friend who's an amazing sound tech. I got a few of varying lengths and they work flawlessly.

 

[SteveGangi]

While we are on the topic, I just made up a batch of speaker cables using a 50ft., 16AWG cable that really had no use (I hate long cables!!). I'm using the cables to run my 15W amps. As people are mentioning 12 AWG wire and lower, are these cables strong enough for my needs? They are not warm after long playing and everything sounds great. Weird analogy, but I figure I don't need a pitcher to drink a half-cup of tea.

16 gauge is more than good enough.

 

[SteveGangi]

Okay, but will a cheaper brand suck tone or color tone ? Or microphonic ?
And why 12ga, 14ga, 16 ga ?
12ga is thicker than 16ga, correct ? So maybe consider using a thicker guage for a longer run of cable ?

Wire is wire. Brand don't mean a thing, except for the bullshit voodoo claims they all make. 16AWG is good enough. Wire is not microphonic and does not color tone. And just so you know, it's not directional either.

 

[THDNUT]

Lamp cord with Switchcraft or Neutrik phone jacks.

I've made about 10 over the years, some are 20' long.

You can get the jacks at Radio Shack.

 

[jab996]

I ended up going with the D'Addario Planet Waves Speaker Cable 10 Foot 14ga. for $22.12.
I hope it's a good cable.

 

[lwk5150]

I need to buy a quality speaker cable for my 2061cx extension cabinet. I'm thinking a 10'-15' length. Any suggestions as to which brand and what size gauge I should go with ?
Thanks for any suggestions.

A little off topic, but let us know how you like the 2061CX, and what combo you are running into it. I've been considering running a JMP1C into a 2061CX.

 

[Dolebludger]

I have an old buddy who used to be the sound man for CSN&Y. So I asked him about speaker cables. He said to use heavy lamp cord, good tips, and make them yourself. He said that is what he used to do.

The OP's idea about putting the extension cab distant from the combo and its speaker is a good one if he is playing in a band without a sound man (as I have always done). It really helps the guitar cut through without excessive volume. Putting the combo and cab up on stands about 2' off the floor also helps.

 

[Otto tune]

The best value per foot is 12 ga. stranded copper wire that is sold in Lowe's/HD to use as outdoor low voltage lighting. 100' is about $35.

I still think the weak point is the tiny pinpoint where the tip of a round 1/4" plug meets the flat contact in the jack. You could have 8 ga. wire and you're still pushing all the power through a tiny contact patch.

I specify Neutrix connectors, but I find they come out too easily.