Why does the gauge of speaker wire matter? Options

[mkop]

I've read some things discussing speaker wiring such as speaker reviews and their is always something like "the included cables are ok but you'll probably want to go and get something thicker." My question is why do I want some huge python of a cable? And what principles are used to decide what size is big enough?

[lucpes]

So it is quite a big gauge after all.
24 AWG is 0.20 mm2
16x0.2=3.2 mm2, that is around 12 AWG.

This is surprising... Maybe recording the signal at the ampli plugs and comparing the 4 results (the two cables, speaker-side, and the two cables, ampli-side) could give more info. If the two ampli-side recordings are similar, the speaker-side recording that is the closest should be the best.

By the way, I find the idea of an attenuator for speaker - line connection strange. The author assumes that the output of an ampli is 3 to 20 Volts. This is true when the ampli is completely overdriven, and the speakers maybe broken.
Actually, I plugged directly the speaker output of my ampli into the line input for my recordings, and I had to set the volume so that I was worried about the neighbours, because it was late, so as to reach a proper line in level.
Your attenuator was 20:1, thus without it, you'd have got a signal 26 dB louder. You say that it was -20 dB, thus it would have clipped by 6 dB.

I recall again for everyone else : this experiment is DANGEROUS for your amplifier : a short circuit, a loose contact, a jack plugged off... and your ampli is fried !

As KikeG said, the attenuation might be due to the high capacitance/low impedance (which would act as an RC filter? ) - twisted pairs for all length - (+that would add a meter or two to the effective length of the cable...).

About the attenuator - my speakers have <<90/W/m efficiency and the Gemini might be in the 95dB range (http://www.bamberglab.com/s3.htm

See a SPL calculator here: http://www.doctorproaudio.com/doctor/calcu...uladores_en.htm

For 111dB SPL / 95dB/1W/1m speaker sensitivity a rough calculation would yield 25W. For 86 dB/1W/1m & the same perceived loudness one would need around 200W. Go figure that I want a beefier amplifier just after doing that

So i'd need lots more amplifier power/voltage/amperage/whatever for same SPL (also taking in account the supposedly impedance swings which would need lots of current). The lowish sensitivity & impedance troubles is due to 2*10" woofers, 3*5" mid drivers and two tweeters to be driven through what is seems to be a major network of capacitors, transformer-type coils, shunt LC filters and long lengths of wire. However, the sound is pure bliss (okay, I'm going to the dark side here...)

Crossover here: http://oellerer.net/infinity_classics/RS_I...nical_sheet.pdf

I'll try to redo the test with amp side recordings next weekend. Ugh... I'd also use my smaller 3-way bookshelf speakers to provide data on 'speaker load/cables/amplifier matching'. Until then I'll keep kicking myself in the nuts for staying three months with CAT5 cable... as the difference while listening is humongous (at least that's what I'm hearing on the other side of the speaker).

edit: Added link to SPL calculator
edit: added 'low impedance needs lots of current' claim.

This post has been edited by lucpes: Nov 2 2003, 02:12