Hello. I am going to sound like a hifi virgin-but does wiring directional cable make a lot of difference if wired the wrong way round? I am using QED anniversary cable.(silver) Please be kind in replying, thanks, Keith
directional speaker cable
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Hi,
The reason that most speaker cables are marked with a directional indicator is not because they work better in one direction. It is because once you start to use a speaker cable in one direction (i.e. burn it in with the signal going in that direction) then it will give best results if you always use it in that direction. The marking is there so that if you disconnect the cable you know which way round to refit it.
There are some speaker cables where the manufacturer would claim that they are directional but very few.
The same is true of HDMI cables which will work quite happily in both directions but are better run in the same direction once burnt in.
If your speaker cables do not have directional markers then always run in the direction of the writing on the cable so you know which way to refit them.
The differences are small but then it doesnt cost you anything so why not!
Regards
PAUL
http://www.hificables.co.uk
The reason that most speaker cables are marked with a directional indicator is not because they work better in one direction. It is because once you start to use a speaker cable in one direction (i.e. burn it in with the signal going in that direction) then it will give best results if you always use it in that direction. The marking is there so that if you disconnect the cable you know which way round to refit it.
There are some speaker cables where the manufacturer would claim that they are directional but very few.
The same is true of HDMI cables which will work quite happily in both directions but are better run in the same direction once burnt in.
If your speaker cables do not have directional markers then always run in the direction of the writing on the cable so you know which way to refit them.
The differences are small but then it doesnt cost you anything so why not!
Regards
PAUL
http://www.hificables.co.uk
Hello Keith,
As Paul pointed out, directionality can be affected by burning in. Other factors such as the conductor process (i.e., the way in which the metal is drawn) and also shielding can also affect directionality. All of these factors are applicable with our cables which is why we indicate directionality with arrows on the outer cable jacket.
With regards to your speaker cable simply try it in both directions and evaluate any differences that you can hear. Usually differences are subtle but nonetheless can be significant in some systems.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Darren
As Paul pointed out, directionality can be affected by burning in. Other factors such as the conductor process (i.e., the way in which the metal is drawn) and also shielding can also affect directionality. All of these factors are applicable with our cables which is why we indicate directionality with arrows on the outer cable jacket.
With regards to your speaker cable simply try it in both directions and evaluate any differences that you can hear. Usually differences are subtle but nonetheless can be significant in some systems.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Darren
You can't have a directional cable for AC and there is no such thing as burn in, but there are certain cables with added components that can only be connected one way.
Is speaker cable directional and does it require burning in, according to some audiophile magazines, cable manufactures and retailers yes. According to everyone else no
According to papers printed in AES the Audio Engineering Society magazine. Which is peer reviewed and infavour of ABX and double blind testing.
Speaker cables can cause mild frequency selective attenuation and finite impedance in the cable may cause harmonic voltages to appear across the loud speaker causing distortion.
Speaker cable that is flat with many independently insulated wires per conductor is best, followed by multistrand cable and last comes two thick wires.
With these wires adding up to be equivelent to AWG18 to AWG12 gauge depending on speaker impedence and cable length, I have given very large gauges just to be safe on extremely long cable lengths and because speaker impedence is not flat with frequency. Silver and oxygen free copper cables have a slightly lower resistance, so are equivelent to using a very slightly bigger gauge of normal copper.
The benefits being a more linear frequency response, which effects high frequencies volume most. But how much effect they have is dependent on cable length and amplifier and speaker characteristics. With the effect being described as subtle. To the point it may not be noticeable. All blind testing of speaker cables that I am aware of points to difference in cables of the same gauge being so subtle that listeners can not identify which cable is being used better than random chance. Still at least a difference does exist that in theory could be audible.
According to papers printed in AES the Audio Engineering Society magazine. Which is peer reviewed and infavour of ABX and double blind testing.
Speaker cables can cause mild frequency selective attenuation and finite impedance in the cable may cause harmonic voltages to appear across the loud speaker causing distortion.
Speaker cable that is flat with many independently insulated wires per conductor is best, followed by multistrand cable and last comes two thick wires.
With these wires adding up to be equivelent to AWG18 to AWG12 gauge depending on speaker impedence and cable length, I have given very large gauges just to be safe on extremely long cable lengths and because speaker impedence is not flat with frequency. Silver and oxygen free copper cables have a slightly lower resistance, so are equivelent to using a very slightly bigger gauge of normal copper.
The benefits being a more linear frequency response, which effects high frequencies volume most. But how much effect they have is dependent on cable length and amplifier and speaker characteristics. With the effect being described as subtle. To the point it may not be noticeable. All blind testing of speaker cables that I am aware of points to difference in cables of the same gauge being so subtle that listeners can not identify which cable is being used better than random chance. Still at least a difference does exist that in theory could be audible.
I find putting the CD above the amp and the amp above the speakers helps, so the electricity can run downhill. The difference is very subtle, but it seems to improve the imaging and adds a touch more bass.
I'm with tarquinh on this, I like the natural waterfall sounds that the electrons make when they run down hill. Of course, in a loudspeaker with an AC signal, like wild Salmon, some of the electrons have to come back upstream. Must be ever so hard for them.
Oh and I have a lovely Porsche Design lighter which I use for burning in my cables. Because the metalic lattice structure of a metal, with free electrons which metals exhibit, need to be burnt in so the little blighters get used to making the run.
Honestly. I wonder sometimes. Was the term "burnt in" invented to put doubt in the minds of consumers and sell yet more esoteric materials for AC cable duties. If it is carrying an AC signal it cannot, that is CANNOT be directional.
And metals contain numerous crystal boundaries, so unless you plan to burn in your cables by heating them until the crystal boundaries melt (at what, 800 - 1200c?) and the metal is allowed to slowly cool into a single crystal, then you'll have no effect on the conductive nature of the wire. Just using the wire, won't make any difference.
Oh and I have a lovely Porsche Design lighter which I use for burning in my cables. Because the metalic lattice structure of a metal, with free electrons which metals exhibit, need to be burnt in so the little blighters get used to making the run.
Honestly. I wonder sometimes. Was the term "burnt in" invented to put doubt in the minds of consumers and sell yet more esoteric materials for AC cable duties. If it is carrying an AC signal it cannot, that is CANNOT be directional.
And metals contain numerous crystal boundaries, so unless you plan to burn in your cables by heating them until the crystal boundaries melt (at what, 800 - 1200c?) and the metal is allowed to slowly cool into a single crystal, then you'll have no effect on the conductive nature of the wire. Just using the wire, won't make any difference.
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