A thorny issue. (Speaker Cables)

[JDL]

Could anyone tell me please. What is the expected lifespan of speaker cables.
The cables I'm using are Silver Anniversary purchased in 2007 with my first 'proper' Hi-Fi.
These are Bi-Wire, 12 guage pure silver, oxygen free as far a I know.
Is there a time frame, within which they should be changed. Recently, I stripped back some new inner and attached good quality banana plugs. The newly stripped silver was completely free of oxidation, looked as good as new.
I have no desire to change them. However I would like to know if they should be changed at some point.

 

[12th Monkey]

I would very much doubt it.

 

[JDL]

I would very much doubt it.

Thank you.

 

[Symples]

My QED 79 strand from the 80s are performing perfectly.
There is no need to replace your cables.
However you may need to clean the ends if they have oxidized.

 

[Al ears]

I'd simply ask how often do you feel the need to re-wire your house?
I haven't changed my speaker cables in 15 years and apart from cleaning the banana plugs they should be good for years to come.

 

[Gray]

If (nicely) terminated with gold plugs and never abused, you can guarantee your cables will outlive everyone on this forum (no matter how young they are).

 

[podknocker]

My TQ Ultra Blue cables are lovely and have a 7 year warranty. I'm not sure how they could fail after 7 years.

The bloke who runs the company emailed me when they were back in stock and again to confirm my warranty registration.

They were very expensive, but they can be tucked away nicely.

They get unplugged and cleaned every few months, with the rest of my kit and they work perfectly.

These cables will last a lot longer than I will and I'm sure some charity shop in 50 years will sell them on to someone else who appreciates the build quality.

I do prefer factory terminated cables. I just think it's a better quality plug.

I have bought cable and fitted banana plugs, but the screws and things are so small and fiddly and they always seem to come loose.

It must be the banana plug fairy messing around with them, but I would never fit my own plugs now.

 

[GeoffreyW]

And my NAC A4 cables from the 80s are still perfect. Usually it's Upgradeitis or curiosity which drives changes.

 

[Gray]

My TQ Ultra Blue cables are lovely and have a 7 year warranty. I'm not sure how they could fail after 7 years.

I bet you're not sure.
A 7 year guarantee on cables is the most arbitrary, ridiculous and unnecessary guarantee imaginable.

 

[Alantiggger]

Could anyone tell me please. What is the expected lifespan of speaker cables.
The cables I'm using are Silver Anniversary purchased in 2007 with my first 'proper' Hi-Fi.
These are Bi-Wire, 12 guage pure silver, oxygen free as far a I know.
Is there a time frame, within which they should be changed. Recently, I stripped back some new inner and attached good quality banana plugs. The newly stripped silver was completely free of oxidation, looked as good as new.
I have no desire to change them. However I would like to know if they should be changed at some point.

Simply Enjoy.

 

[jjbomber]

Could anyone tell me please. What is the expected lifespan of speaker cables.

After a while. cables become like their owners; they start to crack up! Until then, they are fine.

 

[AJM1981]

Cables should outlive you and another generation or so, when you don't live in a damp basement or something.

 

[twinkletoes]

Could anyone tell me please. What is the expected lifespan of speaker cables.
The cables I'm using are Silver Anniversary purchased in 2007 with my first 'proper' Hi-Fi.
These are Bi-Wire, 12 guage pure silver, oxygen free as far a I know.
Is there a time frame, within which they should be changed. Recently, I stripped back some new inner and attached good quality banana plugs. The newly stripped silver was completely free of oxidation, looked as good as new.
I have no desire to change them. However I would like to know if they should be changed at some point.

As long as the wire isn’t kinked or oxidised you’ll be fine.

 

[JDL]

I'd simply ask how often do you feel the need to re-wire your house?
I haven't changed my speaker cables in 15 years and apart from cleaning the banana plugs they should be good for years to come.

Good point Sir. I don't think our house has been rewired (or decorated) for at least 50 years.

 

[plastic penguin]

Good point Sir. I don't think our house has been rewired (or decorated) for at least 50 years.

I still have (somewhere) the Chord Odyssey 2 from the 2000s and they work fine. Also have Gale speaker cables purchased in the 1990s from Richer Sounds, they are still fine.