Speaker cable suggestion wanted

[KingBee]

Hello,

I was hoping I could get some suggestions for good speaker cables. I have a NAD C316bee amp with Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 speakers. Currently I'm using Ixos bi-wire cables that I got for free with my speakers. Altough I am pleased with these cables, I think they're a bit big. They realy jump out in my interiour, white flat cables, dark brown wooden floor against a dark grey wall.

Could somebody suggest me good speaker cables that aren't so wide and obvious? Good performance and preferably a dark color. Do I need a thick gauge wire or is a smaller gauge sufficient with my speakers and amp?

Also is painting my cables an option? If yes, what type of paint is suitable for this?

Thanx in advance.

 

[CnoEvil]

Linn K20 (Ebay)

QED 79 strand

Van Damme UP LC-OFC http://www.van-damme.com/25.html

 

[KingBee]

Thanx for the suggestions. Your reply got me looking into Van Damme cables.

I also saw Van Damme blue series Studio 2 x 2.5mm twin axial cables on ebay. They thick the boxes when it comes to prize per meter and looks. Can you or somebody tell me if 2.5mm is a good thicknes is a is a bigger gauge wire beter? I really don't know a lot about cables.

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanx for the suggestions. Your reply got me looking into Van Damme cables.

I also saw Van Damme blue series Studio 2 x 2.5mm twin axial cables on ebay. They thick the boxes when it comes to prize per meter and looks. Can you or somebody tell me if 2.5mm is a good thicknes is a is a bigger gauge wire beter?

I would rather go for the 4mm, unless it really is too thick.

I really don't know a lot about cables.

Well, you'll get more conflicting info on here than you can shake a stick at.

 

[Broner]

Thanx for the suggestions. Your reply got me looking into Van Damme cables.

I also saw Van Damme blue series Studio 2 x 2.5mm twin axial cables on ebay. They thick the boxes when it comes to prize per meter and looks. Can you or somebody tell me if 2.5mm is a good thicknes is a is a bigger gauge wire beter? I really don't know a lot about cables.

It depends on the resistance of your speakers, which isn't too bad. Anyway, as long as your speakers cables are shorter than 35 metres (yes, metres), you will be fine with 2,5mm2. Anything thicker is overkill. Actually, 1,5mm2 is probably already fine unless your cables are longer than 15 metres.

 

[Rethep]

Just plain (stranded) copper wire (4 mm2) will do. Second-hand Linn LK-20, as another 'poster' replied, is fine too. It is grey!

 

[unsleepable]

There is a table here where you can find the relationship between cable thickness, impedance and length. 4 mm2 is good, but it may be thick for your needs so you could pass with thinner cable. Best if you check it yourself.

I use Audioquest FLX 144 single-wiring—so two 2 mm2 strands per channel, which is way more than I'd need—, and I'm happy with it. It's dark, which was also important for me.

 

[Tannoyed]

Just use thick copper wire, the thicker the better if the cable run is long. I am not a believer in special speaker (or indeed any other) cable. Snake oil as far as I am concerned! Overkill won't hurt though the wife might moan if the lounge looks like a switchyard!

If you want to spend a fortune for the vague possibility that the HF might be boosted (unlikely at 20kHz) use Litz wire!!