Speaker cable

[jab996]

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.

My combo amp is the Marshall Vintage Modern 2266c 50 watt.
I haven't had a chance to try it with my new 2061cx yet as I am now waiting for my new speaker cable to arrive by UPS.
I think it's gonna sound pretty good

 

[dspelman]

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.

There are tables online that will show you power losses for a given distance of a particular gauge wire with a speaker of a given impedance. Here's one: Electro-Voice Cable Loss Calculator

Any speaker wire will give you a certain amount of loss. Any.

Generally, you want to keep that loss under 10% of amplifier power to be considered unimportant.

You can keep reading after this if you like, but it will generally state that any length under about 20', using 16AWG cable will show almost no loss.

A 16AWG cable, 20' long, running a 100W amp into an 8 ohm load (and assuming other factors regarding capacitance, amp damping factor, etc., will lose you 0.17dB and deliver 96.11W to the speaker.

Moving to a 14AWG cable, 20' long, would change that to 0.11dB and 97.53W, which is considered a negligible difference.

Changing that 14AWG cable to a 5' cable rather a 20' cable will change those numbers to 0,03dB and 99.37W
Changing that 16AWG cable to a 5' cable rather than a 20' cable will change those numbers to 0.04 dB and 99.01W.

Things DO change when you start talking a 4 ohm or 2 ohm load, of course, but when you're dealing with those load factors, the amp will often be putting out more wattage as well. For example, I have a solid state power amp that puts out about 800W, bridged/mono at 8 ohms and 1400W, bridged/mono at 4 ohms. Here again, however 16AWG cable runs about the same as 14AWG wire (at 5').

 

[jab996]

What ohm setting should I use when running an extension cab from my combo ?

 

[tazzboy]

I use Lava Tephra cable.

 

[tweedman2001]

I make my own from lamp cord. Works great for all my Marshalls including my 2061CX. One thing to remember for homemade is to pay attention to the polarity. Tip to tip.

 

[SteveGangi]

What ohm setting should I use when running an extension cab from my combo ?

It depends on the amp and what the manufacturer says. It's in the owners manuals, which you can usually see/download online.

 

[KP11520]

I always go thicker than needed, so 12Ga is for shorter lengths and 10Ga is for longer lengths.

Why? Because it will be able to handle whatever you throw at it, whether you keep this setup or change to higher watts. Thicker cable handles abuse better as well.

Here's a very reasonable offer

http://www.parts-express.com/pyle-ppjj15-12-awg-1-4-to-1-4-speaker-cable-15-ft--248-4592

When building my own, I use G&H 1/4" TR plugs. Either Bigfoot or Megafoot

G&H BF2P Bigfoot Plug 1/4" Mono Connector

G&H MF2P Megafoot Plug 1/4" Mono Connector

 

[jab996]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jab996
What ohm setting should I use when running an extension cab from my combo ?

It depends on the amp and what the manufacturer says. It's in the owners manuals, which you can usually see/download online.

By itself, my Marshall 2266c runs at 8 ohms. It has a switch that will let me run it at 4 ohms. When I go to connect my 2061cx extension cab, should I switch it to the 4 ohm setting ? The 2061cx cab is rated at 8 ohms,,, maybe I should leave the ohm selector switch at 8 ohms ?

 

[SteveGangi]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jab996
What ohm setting should I use when running an extension cab from my combo ?





By itself, my Marshall 2266c runs at 8 ohms. It has a switch that will let me run it at 4 ohms. When I go to connect my 2061cx extension cab, should I switch it to the 4 ohm setting ? The 2061cx cab is rated at 8 ohms,,, maybe I should leave the ohm selector switch at 8 ohms ?

The 8 Ohm cabinet when plugged in, will be wired in parallel with the internal 8 Ohm speaker. So, if both the speaker and the external cab are both 8 Ohms, then flip the switch to 4 Ohms.


Download the manual here, and keep a copy...

http://www.marshallamps.de/tips_und_tricks/downloads/2466_2266C_guitarist.pdf

http://music.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/marshall_amplification/2466.html

Of course, when you disconnect the external cab, put the Output switch back to 8 Ohms.

 

[jab996]

The 8 Ohm cabinet when plugged in, will be wired in parallel with the internal 8 Ohm speaker. So, if both the speaker and the external cab are both 8 Ohms, then flip the switch to 4 Ohms.


Download the manual here, and keep a copy...

http://www.marshallamps.de/tips_und_tricks/downloads/2466_2266C_guitarist.pdf

Marshall Amplification Musical Instrument Amplifier User Manual | ManualsOnline.com

Of course, when you disconnect the external cab, put the Output switch back to 8 Ohms.

Thanks,, I have the manual but I'm not savvy about this ohm stuff and in my opinion, the manual doesn't seem very clear on the whole ohm thing.

 

[SteveGangi]

Thanks,, I have the manual but I'm not savvy about this ohm stuff and in my opinion, the manual doesn't seem very clear on the whole ohm thing.

Some manuals don't seem to be very clear, to someone not versed in electronics - as if everyone just knows everything already.

 

[5F6-A]

I use cordial speaker cable and rean connectors. The same cable for wiring the inside of the cab. a bit overkill but very happy with the result.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Some manuals don't seem to be very clear, to someone not versed in electronics - as if everyone just knows everything already.

Manual? Bah!

 

[EndGame00]

I use Rapco Horizon cable.