Choosing Speaker Cables and Interconnects
What matters electrically in hi-fi cables, what to spend, and how to approach the cable question sensibly.
Cables generate more argument than any other part of a hi-fi system. A few electrical facts make the choices clearer.
Speaker cables
- Resistance matters most. Keep the round-trip resistance low compared with the speaker's impedance. Use thicker conductors for longer runs and low-impedance speakers.
- Inductance and capacitance can slightly affect treble with some amplifiers. Some amplifiers are sensitive to very high-capacitance cable.
- Keep the runs equal left and right, and terminate them well: good plugs or properly twisted bare wire make better contact than frayed ends.
Interconnects
Line-level interconnects carry small currents, so shielding and the quality of the connectors matter more than conductor size. Phono cables from a turntable carry very low signals and are the most sensitive to hum and capacitance. Keep them short and well shielded.
Balanced connections
Where both components support it, a balanced (XLR) connection rejects interference picked up along the cable, which is useful for long runs.
Digital cables
Coaxial and optical digital links carry data. A well-made cable of the correct impedance (75 ohms for coaxial S/PDIF) does the job, and length and build quality matter more than exotic materials.
How much to spend
A sensible rule is to treat cables as the finishing touch, not the foundation: upgrading speakers or source almost always matters more. Buy from sellers with a generous return policy and compare by ear in your own system.