Subwoofer cable influence sound quality?

[Sabby]

Do subwoofer cables make a difference to sound quality? I've had conflicting opinions with most people suggesting that they don't make any difference whatsoever. Looking at WHF's buying guide I don't see any subwoofer cables listed there. I have also looked at various other buying guides and for whatever reason, subwoofer cables just don't seem to feature. Makes me wonder if they really make any difference after all since most people don't seem to attach any importance to them.

 

[fayeanddavid]

Sabby:Do subwoofer cables make a difference to sound quality? I've had conflicting opinions with most people suggesting that they don't make any difference whatsoever. Looking at WHF's buying guide I don't see any subwoofer cables listed there. I have also looked at various other buying guides and for whatever reason, subwoofer cables just don't seem to feature. Makes me wonder if they really make any difference after all since most people don't seem to attach any importance to them.

If we follow the adage that interconnects make a difference, as do speaker cables and to an extent HDMI and Mains cables then why not subwoofer interconnects??

I use a Chord Crimson, I have never experimented with others, as I have with HDMI, mains and speaker cables, but as I say, why not?

 

[scene]

Sub-woofer cables are analogue, usually carry un-amplified sound, have a frequency range that can overlap with mains and can be quite long. All of these mean that a poor quality, unshielded cable could well pick up significant interference from the mains (hum), or other sources. So yes, the quality of a sub-woofer cable is important. My advice is to keep it as short as practicable and make sure it is well shielded and of decent guage.

 

[pauljack00]

I've just upgraded mine a couple of days ago with a QED profile one and I noticed an improvement straight away.

 

[stephennic]

Hi,

Yes Ive tested a few cables on my subwoofer, they certaintly can make a difference.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Scene as i have had a problem with humming and a good quality cable can control this or get rid of it entirely, and i think the reason that sub cables are not reviewed is because they are the same as there paired analogue counter parts not always but most of the time.

But somebody please correct me if im wrong!

 

[Sabby]

Thanks to all for your insight and thoughts on this matter. I will definitely try some dedicated cables and see if it does make a difference.

 

[Anonymous]

As with all signal, if it's not shielded it is susceptible to interference, even more so in todays modern digital world where we are surrounded at all times by both electro-magnetic and microwave interference. Another thing to consider, just like a digital coax interconnect, a subwoofer cable needs to be a true 75ohm cable, anymore and the amp on the sub will struggle to pickup all the signal and any less the signal could become distorted. The absolute key here is shielded cable.

If the hum is persistent without a cable attached you may have a problem with one of the mosfets or power caps on the subs amp, also try and turn down the strength of the signal sent via the amps output.

 

[aliEnRIK]

My personal opinion is that bass is where cables make the biggest change

For this reason id recommend something top quality, like an Atlas Titan (OCC Copper - no grain)

Or if you want something far cheaper, Van Damme UP LC-OFC (less grain than OFC)

All this said, if your subs not very good then you probably wont notice any difference